Many people think people remain poor because they’re lazy.

In reality, the odds are stacked against them.

I have spent many years working with people in our inner city.

Most families don’t own a car.

Because of the high theft rate, auto insurance rates are through the roof.

So, many of those who find employment must rely on the local bus system.

The inner city schools don’t have the resources of the suburban schools.

Gaining a college degree requires a herculean effort.

Most colleges require inner city high school graduates to take college preparation classes before they are admitted.

I know two recent college graduates who required ten years to make it happen.

It is possible for some to make it out of poverty.

The obstacles, however, are overwelming.

The piano was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1731) of Italy.

Cristofori was unsatisfied by the lack of control that musicians had over the volume level of the harpsichord.

He is credited for switching out the plucking mechanism with a hammer to create the modern piano in around the year 1700.

Wow! What a contribution to the world of music!

We are in short supply of kindness.

There has never been a moment when we are in need of being kind to one another.

There is so much stress and divisiveness.

Are you just naturally a kind person?

Or can you become one?

Life will become easier for you if you treat everyone kindly.

And your encouters with strangers will be a more pleasant experience for both of you.

Teach your kids to be kind.

It will make their day go easier.

There is no such thing as too much kindness!

If not today, when?

Amy Subaey always had an adventurous spirit but in 2020 she embarked on her biggest adventure yet.

Born and raised in the Minnesota, she has also lived in Bahrain and Egypt and moved to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in 2002.

But when she was suddenly made redundant from her position as an English instructor, she found herself unemployed in a foreign country with her teenage daughter, and no clue in which direction to take her career.

So she decided to FOLLOW HER PASSION!

An avid hiker and mountain climber, in 2011 she started a weekend hiking group.

A few years later she turned it into a business called UAE Trekkers, running weekend hikes while she continued teaching English during the week.

“I knew that I wanted to create something inclusive and that encouraged people to get outside and explore what Dubai had to offer outside of the city.

From there it spiralled,” Subaey says. (CNN)

Are you ready to FOLLOW YOUR PASSION?

If not today, when?

Today many Christian churches celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the day that the friends of Jesus, the Apostles, were given the power to go out to the world and preach the Good News.

Recently I had lunch with some friends who spent two hours discussing their bad health and lots of other “downer” type topics.

When we left, I think all of us were rather glum.

We have to take leadership and “preach the good news” whenever possible.

There are so many good things in our lives like our families, our neighborhoods, our lifestyles, our abilities to see and to hear and to get around plus the activities we participate in and the various friends we have.

We have a responsibility to uplift anyone we come in contact with.

Even just a smile or a quick “hello” can be powerful to a person who has not had any interaction with another human being lately.

You have power. Use it!

If not today, when?

It will be fun to watch it grow.

More importantly, your tree will create more oxygen.

Your tree will continue to make this world more livable.

Long after you’re gone, your tree will help future generations to breathe.

You are also, hopefully, encouraging your neighbors to do the same.

Want to make this world a better place?

Plant a tree!

If not today, when?

A baseball team must be good at: Fielding, Pitching and Hitting.

The Tigers are great at fielding.

They usually finish each game with no errors.

They are great at pitching and ranked fifth best in the American league.

They are LOUSY at hitting.

They lost their last two games by leaving a man on 3rd with only 1 out.

They couldn’t get him across the plate.

Actually, they stranded men on base throughout those games!

So, the old adage comes to mind: “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.”

Your family is a team.

Is their someone on your team who needs help?

If not today, when?

There are simple ways we can make the world a better/friendlier place.

It begins with good manners.

“Please” and “Thank you” are a good beginning.

Holding the door open for another customer entering a store.

Courtesy behind the wheel when driving is appreciated and safer.

Teaching your kids good manners makes the world a better place.

Lifting up someone who is down is a responsibility for all of us.

We must acknowledge the good things done by others.

We must recognize school teachers for their good deeds.

As you can see, there are many ways you can make the world better right now!

If not today, when?

There are simple ways we can make the world a better/friendlier place.

It begins with good manners.

“Please” and “Thank you” are a good beginning.

Holding the door open for another customer entering a store.

Courtesy behind the wheel when driving is appreciated and safer.

Teaching your kids good manners makes the world a better place.

Lifting up someone who is down is a responsibility for all of us.

We must acknowledge the good things done by others.

We must recognize school teachers for their good deeds.

As you can see, there are many ways you can make the world better right now!

If not today, when?

My hero will always be Winston Churchill.

He saved the British Nation when it was at its greatest peril.

Closer to home, however, is my wife who has lived a life of courage & compassion.

And one of our daughters who overcame cancer.

I think it’s important to have heroes.

They give us an example of how we can better ourselves.

And they show us what’s possible.

Follow the example of your heroes!

If not today, when?