Do you honestly tell people how you feel or just say what you think they want to hear because you are intimidated by the situation?

I remember, as a teenager, I had a summer job at a pharmaceutical company. I would load empty bottles onto an assembly line. Machines filled with medicine would pour their contents into the bottles.

A long time employee came up to me on my first morning and told me not to work fast because he didn’t want management to know that the loading could be done faster. As a sixteen year old, I was easily intimidated by that older man and did what I was told to do.

How about you? Do you stand up for yourself or just go along?

If not today, when?

We found her at a shelter.

She had recently had a litter of puppies and her previous owner had evidently sent her out into the streets where she was discovered one night by the local police.

For my wife, it was love at first sight! So much so, that she instantly named her “Happy” because her new canine friend makes her happy.

I have never been enthusiastic about pets, although we’ve had a few over the years. She has become an interesting learning experience for me.

It has become obvious that she only has two priorities: To give love and receive love!

I believe she can be a model for all of us. After all, what is more important than giving and receiving love?

If not today, when?

1. Do you have at least one person who truly loves you?
2. Do you sleep indoors every night?
3. Do you have enough food to eat each day?
4. Do you have good health or access to affordable health care?
5. Is your neighborhood free of violence?
6. Do you have enough money to pay your bills?
7. Do you have adequate clothing for various weather conditions?
8. Do you have access to affordable transportation?
9. If you have children, are they enrolled in good schools?
10. Are you employed in safe working conditions?

Most of the people in the world would have to answer “NO” to most of these questions.

How about you?

If not today, when?

 

This is a message worth repeating.

Are you a well managed person or not?

Do you put off doing the things that you want to avoid?

My wonderful wife of 54 years taught me to put the worst first. As in many other aspects of life, she is right. Success is found by those people who face difficult tasks head on!

Success is the result of doing things you don’t want to do. If you develop the habit of doing the thing you least want to do at the beginning of each day, you’ll get an immediate dose of self confidence and increased self esteem to carry you through the day with a “can do” attitude.

Of course, putting things off will lower your self esteem.

Remember this easy to remember saying, “Do the worst first!”

If not today, when?

Many people have a solid career path that is financially rewarding and perfect for their interests and personality. Many more people are stuck in a job that is just the opposite.

I understand that you have bills that won’t stop and little or no savings that could help finance a move to a new career. Does that mean that you’re stuck in a low paying, boring job the rest of your life?

Not in the current economy!

It has never been easier to discover attractive job openings where you live with today’s technology. All employers post their open positions on the internet. Let your fingers do the job hunting with Google.

If not  today, when?

 

I was the general sales manager of a large real estate company. We also had a mortgage company subsidiary managed by Vic Miller. Sometimes, we disagreed on different issues, but we always treated one another with respect. After five years, I decided to go out on my own and begin a consulting business.

I called on the president of a large bank to see if he would hire me as a sales consultant. After our initial meeting, he said he would get back with me.

A week later he called to say I was hired! He said that he checked me out with his old friend, Vic Miller. Vic’s recommendation lead to fifteen years of a lucrative relationship with that bank!

You never know who you may need to help you.

Don’t burn your bridges!

If not today, when?

After 50 years in the residential real estate business, I have a few tips on the do’s and don’ts of potential home improvements.

DO’S

All tasteful kitchen improvements will substantially add value. Bathroom modernization will also add value. First impressions are made when walking up to your house. So, neatness of landscaping and a fresh coat of paint on the front door send powerful messages.

Do tidy up everywhere. Invest in plastic tubs and fill with clutter from all the rooms. Make closets look like there is more room for clothing and the same with all cupboards.

DON’TS

Don’t add a bedroom that can only be accessed through another bedroom. Don’t spend so much on improvements that your home will be overpriced when compared with the selling price of other homes in your immediate neighborhood.

If not today, when?

 

 

A legacy is a gift handed down from one generation to the next.

We have all witnessed the legacy of George Herbert Walker Bush this  week. He was honored by the presence of many world leaders and former presidents.

His legacy is one of courage, patriotism, honesty and kindness.

Your legacy will be the lessons of your life as perceived by your friends and family. Will your legacy be one that they want to emulate or try to avoid in their own lives?

If they will strive to emulate your life, you will leave the world a better place.

You will not have lived in vain!

If not today, when?

 

 

 

We raised a big family in a very different environment than today’s parents are facing. All of our children are parents themselves, giving us a total of 22 grand children. I really have great respect for the job they’re doing with their kids.

We didn’t have to compete with the 24/7 influence of cell phones, cyber bullying and other aspects of social media. Because most kids have their own cell phone, they have access to hurtful influences that you don’t know about.

You are locked in a battle with other forces who can impact your child’s system of values and quality of their decisions.

The only anecdote I can suggest is to stay in constant communication with your kids.

You must know who their friends are and what is going on.

If not today, when?

 

On the front page of this morning’s New York Times is a photo of a pregnant mother and her two little children. She is waiting on her contractions to make their certain progress toward the birth of her third child.

This scene takes place in Afghanistan. Her husband was recently killed in the ongoing, seventeen year war with no end in sight. On the average, fifty people are being killed every day, leaving tens of thousands of widows left to fend for themselves and their children.

So, life goes on for this mother and the millions of people who awaken each day to a life of despair.

Do you know someone who is lonely or suffering in some manner?

Reach out to them today. It is so easy to make this world a better place!

If not today, when?