It seems that a large portion of society feels that, in order to be accepted, they must do whatever is popular at the time.

The first trend I’ve noticed is the need for tattoos by both males and females. It astounds me how many people are willing to make such a long lasting and easily noticed, permanent alteration to the skin they were born with.

The second trend is men who let their beard grow. Some men look good with a beard. Many do not, yet, they go along because peer pressure demands it.

How desperate are we to be accepted by others? I just think we give up a part of ourselves when we have to jump on and embrace the latest craze!

Be true to yourself!

If not today, when?

Words aren’t always enough!

The person you love will have personal struggles. Sometimes, help is needed with simple things. There are also those occasions that call for a major commitment from you.

When my wife and I were engaged, a friend I met in the Navy asked me to be his best man at his wedding. At the reception, the bride’s father rose to speak. He said that marriage is like two horses pulling a buggy together. When one horse falters, the other horse must pull the entire load until his or her partner recovers.

So, it’s not enough to just do your part! The buggy must keep moving down the path of life regardless of who does the pulling!

If not today, when?

Definition of courage: “The ability to do something that frightens you.”

I have always enjoyed sailing. My brother and I owned a 14′ wooden sailboat that had a hole in the bottom. One of us would sail while the other would bail!

I was, however, afraid to sail in the big Port Huron to Mackinac Island Race that is held each July. Finally, at the age of 64, I gathered the courage to join  5 other sailors on a 35′ boat.

We were hit by a huge storm on the second day on Lake Huron. Half of the crew got sea sick, a large sail was torn loose and the storm raged on for 8 hours.

As strange as it sounds, it was a great adventure and I learned I can face my fears.

What are you afraid of?

If not today, when?

A dictionary definition is “People who tend to ignore the needs of others and do what is best for themselves.”

We are all self centered from time to time. It is a basic instinct necessary for survival.

Are you, however obsessed with your own self interests to the exclusion of others, including loved ones? If so, you’ll never be truly happy and neither will those who interact with you on a regular basis.

I know this is an old adage, but is so profound: “It is in giving that you receive!” 

So, the key to your happiness lies in making other people happy!

Put your love of self in balance with love of others!

If not today, when?

 

 

Many of us are not all that happy with ourselves. Some of this disappointment is probably justified by past errors in judgement.  If you don’t like yourself, it will be difficult for others to like you.

So, something must be done!

First, we can’t take back the regretful things we’ve said or done, but we can decide never to repeat them again.

Shame on you for not liking yourself! God loves you with unconditional love!

I don’t believe in walking through life without God’s help. When you give all your faults and failings over to God, the healing process can begin.

Also, are there people in your life who are obstacles to your recovery? If so, tell them you are taking a new approach and want their support. If they won’t, walk away.

If not today, when?

We were in church yesterday morning and I saw a family across the isle. There was the mom, dad and four young children. The oldest child was about eight years old. Mom looked to be about seven months pregnant and didn’t seem to be feeling too well.

Dad looked fine.

Which reminds me, the man’s contribution to childbirth is sheer pleasure. The mom’s role is an emotional, psychological and physical challenge that begins at conception and follows her all her life!

All through the years, we’ve heard about moms whose childbirth is difficult. Even for the great majority who maintain good health, it is not an easy road to travel.

Let’s always be grateful for the noblest among us!

If not today, when?

Two things will affect the quality of your tomorrow: circumstances beyond your control and deliberate thoughts and actions on your part.

Will you spend most of your time acting or reacting? If you are not happy with the direction of your life, you can’t begin each day with the same assumptions you lived with until now.

What needs to get better in order for you to feel happier? You must identify those priorities that can lead to a better life and then act decisively on them.

Things don’t just happen! You have to make them happen!

If you are like most people, you probably don’t realize how capable you are until you push yourself into uncharted waters.

What is the single accomplishment that would make you happier about your life?

Go for it!

If not today, when?

He died at the age of 44, leaving a wife and five children. He was an FBI agent working the scene after the World Trade Towers collapsed. He died of cancer generated by the toxic fumes that also killed and continue to kill many New York firemen and policemen.

Our son and daughter-in-law are FBI agents who have served for twenty seven years. The young agent killed and three others, who died in the line of duty, were their close friends.

We are a nation of 350 million people, a small percentage of whom put their daily lives “In harm’s way.”

Please never take your freedom for granted!

Some of your fellow citizens risk danger and death every morning when they awake so that you can”Have a good day.”

If not today, when?

 

 

These are perilous times for you and your children.

There has always been peer pressure in the school environment, but now it follows your child home through the social media 24/7. At the same time, open communication between you and your children begins to decline as the kids emerge from preteen to teenagers.

Two simultaneous occurrences are working against you! You are confronted with constant peer pressure on your child combined with a lack of information that you can act upon!

For these reasons, you must listen to anything your child says in order to get a true picture of what is really going on. You’re the only person who loves your child unconditionally! Your child needs your help, but won’t ask for it.

So, you must get involved!

If not today, when!

 

 

 

After starting 8 business from scratch, I’ve made a few observations.

Here are some things to consider:

Have you worked in your chosen market niche before?

Will your business be able to attract customers by providing them with some benefit not available from competitors?

Do you have the physical and emotional stamina to deal with the disappointments and frustrations that are to be expected in getting a new business launched?

Have you accurately calculated the financial investment necessary to sustain you until reaching a break even cash flow status?

Do you have good “People Skills? These are necessary in dealing with employees and customers.

Is this the “Right Time” in your life to do this?

If not today, when?