Welcome!

I am creating this blog so that I might share with you the hopes and concerns I have for this current generation. We live in incredible times. We have advantages our own grandparents did not think possible. However, we seem to be missing the boat on our own character values. It was not that long ago that our great country had to come together as a nation and determine where we were heading. The men and women of that time felt they were of part of a purpose and had determination. They found a fire in themselves, and I would like to see that occur in the people of this day and time. The ideas and ethics of those days were of a higher standard. Faith in God and his moral expectations guided their actions. Those convictions are something we need to be sharing more frequently with one another. In our homes, in our schools, in our neighborhoods, at work and even in our churches we should be living examples of these beliefs. People today are limping along and need some encouragement and guidelines to help them. Those of us that are established need to reach out to those that have gone astray.  

As a young man, I was given the opportunity to work in the mail room of a well-known newspaper. I came to work one day feeling discouraged about my dead end job and an older man gave me some advice. He told me,

“What’s the point of living if you don’t at least try to do something remarkable?”

I took his advice and allowed myself the opportunity to grow. As a result, I now own that newspaper. It was not easy, and I learned many lessons along the way. I want people to know that we are in this together and they do not have to feel alone. No one expects perfection but is important to give live your best shot. We could all use some shared wisdom from one another’s experiences in life. If that man had not dared to speak to me I might still be fumbling, but instead he made me feel I had a purpose. That night I went home and did some searching and found a young man that did have dreams. He just needed some direction.

In the hopes that I might inspire others I have compiled a list of the virtues I laid before myself that day.

1. Self-Control.  Do not over indulge.

2.  Silence.  Listen to others.

3. Order.  Everything has it's time and it's place.

4.  Be Determined.  Life is hard. Never give up.

5.  Prudent.  Spend wisely. Do not waste.

6.  Productive. Work hard. 

7. Be Sincere.  Do not be a fake.

8. Be fair.  Do not judge others without looking first at yourself.

9. Moderation.  Find balance in life.

10.  Be neat.  First impressions matter.

11.     Peace.  Do not sweat the small stuff.

12.  Purity.  Find true love and hold on to it.

13.    Humility.  Know there is always room for improvement.

What do you think? Do you have a list of standards to live by and do you follow them? I use a notebook with this written list and check through it in the mornings and evenings. There have been days I am disappointed in myself and resolve to try even harder. Please feel free to share your own thoughts and comments. Together we can turn this ship around.