When I was much younger, I would observe someone who had been treated poorly or had some unfortunate mishap and ask, “Why doesn’t God fix it?”

Years later, I finally woke up and realized that God pours out many blessings throughout our lives, but it is incumbent upon us to help those in need also. God has given me many blessings and I need to pass blessings onto others.

When is the last time you helped someone in need of a lift up out of a bad situation? If you are inclined to help out, is your generosity confined only to people you know?

Ironically, the greatest number of people in need are usually those we don’t know. Will you come to the rescue of someone with whom you share nothing in common except your humanity?

If not today, when?

Yes, there is a job opening for you and you’re perfectly qualified! Although you are frustrated with your present job, however, you are not actively seeking a better opportunity.

Why is that?

Perhaps you like some of your co-workers and have established friendships that you enjoy. Maybe, you don’t want to pursue a job elsewhere because you’re afraid your boss might find out and fire you before you can finalize employment elsewhere.

If you are truly unhappy with your present situation because of a bad working environment or inadequate pay or both, you must act!

Jobs are plentiful in this economy. The internet provides you with the best tool ever invented to easily find jobs even in your zip code.

Get over your fears and give yourself a deadline to be happily employed elsewhere!

If not today, when?

 

People open doors for me now. That’s when you know you are old!

Yes, more trips to the doctor are standard fare even if you’re healthy. One of the most difficult aspects of aging is the realization that you may not have the financial resources needed to live an independent life free of taking direction from others. Another tough one is losing friends you once knew.

For those of you who may be afraid of growing old, aging, like every other aspect of life is what you make of it! It always comes down to the thoughts you permit yourself to have. Most of the time, I don’t feel old.

The biggest emotion I feel from moment to moment is sincere gratitude! 

If not today, when?

 

I can’t believe I’m attempting to take on this topic because I’m no expert. Yes, we had many teenagers go through our lives and maybe we learned a little along the way.

Rule #1- You must love them even when they’re hard to love!

Rule #2- Your policies must be applied to your teenagers as equally as possible!

Rule #3- Don’t overreact to their hair styles and clothing choices.      They will pass!

Rule #4- Driving in the car together is a good place for candid conversations because you don’t have to look at one another!

Rule #5- Look for opportunities to give them praise!

Rule #6- Use whatever means available to continually know what is going on with your kids.

Rule #7- Be nice to their friends so you can meet them and know with whom they are spending time.

If not today, when?

 

 

This is the most difficult form of love that anyone could attempt in a relationship. Yet, it is a vital part of life’s mosaic of all the various forms of love we share.

It is probably the most God-like form of love because I am convinced God loves us despite our many misappropriations of time, talent and opportunities.

I also believe there will always be people in our lives who require our unconditional love. It’s not for us to judge one another, but rather to love without judgement.

If we go through life only loving those who satisfy our standards of behavior, we are very shallow and not ones who contribute to the greater good!

If not today, when? 

 

Is your love confined to immediate family? I think it is true with most people.

That’s not good enough!

We can do better than that. We must do better than that! We should stop looking inward and begin looking outward to the hurting people all around us.

We don’t have to go far to find people who are not loved and yet they still carry on. I feel there is a deterioration of civility in modern society and it must be turned around.

Without more love of others and expressions of empathy, what kind of world will we leave to our children and grand children?

It’s never too late to make this world a better place!

If not today. when?

 

 

 

There have been more stressful times in the history of our great country, but there are also many sources of stress today. I don’t think I need to enumerate them.

We never know what problems other people might be dealing with at any moment. “We are our brother’s keeper.”

It’s so easy to love people who love us.

So, the question becomes,”Will we love those who don’t love us?” How about a simple smile given to a passerby? How about courtesy extended to another driver when we are behind the wheel? How about showing kindness to a new employee who is making an adjustment to a new company and new co-workers?

All these ideas are simple to perform and yet so meaningful in the eyes of the other person.

You can create a better world!

If not today, when?

 

 

I think the answer has to be yes for most of us.

We’re happier on some days than others depending upon the greeting we get each morning from local weather conditions. Of course, some people are physically affected by weather such as those with asthma.

For most of us, weather can put us in a good or bad mood. Why do we allow this to happen? Don’t we have enough to deal with in our lives? If you don’t like current weather conditions, get over it! Move on to something within your control instead of fretting about something over which you have no control.

Weather is just another one of those things that doesn’t deserve the attention we give it.

Gee, I heard it’s going to rain today!

If not today, when?

 

When the Reverend Jesse Jackson ran for President, his slogan was,  “Keep Hope Alive!” No other politician, to my knowledge, ever did or ever will use those words as a campaign slogan. Of course, he ministered to those millions of people who had lost hope for their future.

How about you?

If some event in your life brings you to the point of despair, please step back and re-evaluate your situation. At that moment, it is wise to take inventory of your life. Make a list of your blessings and disappointments.

In order to maintain emotional balance, it is important to work through the moment by remembering the positive facts about your life!

If not today, when?

Restaurant waiters and waitresses expect us to add a tip for them. How about tipping other people who don’t normally receive tips for helping us in various endeavors?

One day, we had an unusual amount of trash at the curb for pickup. Along came the truck with a young boy hanging off the back. Although, there was a lot to collect, the truck driver did not get out on that cold day to help the young man who loaded it himself. So, I ran down to the curb and gave him a $10 dollar bill. Wow, was he surprised!

Other examples might include people who clean your office or various delivery people. We have a company that cuts our grass each week. We don’t tip the owner, but occasionally the young people who actually do the work.

Why not surprise someone today?

If not today, when?