Welcome to October 13th 2022. How did you do yesterday? Were you nice, did you smile, did you say kind words to people, did you help someone? Are you proud of who you were? If not, today’s a second chance to be a better version of yourself. In fact, life is full of second chances until it’s not. My goal has always been that when my life is almost over, I will look back with pride and a sense of accomplishment. I hope I don’t have that experience for another 20 years or so. Today is Good Samaritan Day, International Day for Disaster Reduction, National M&M Day, National Train Your Brain Day, National Yorkshire Pudding Day, Silly Sayings Day, Treat Your Self Day, and National No Bra Day which is something I think we can all celebrate. Now to the history of this day. In 54 on this day Nero succeeded Claudius as the Roman Emperor at the age of 16. He ruled for 14 years and committed suicide at age 30. On this day in 1775 the US Navy was established. This is the day in 1792 that the cornerstone was laid for the White House. This is the day in 1864 that Maryland voters adopted a new constitution including the abolition of slavery. On this day in 1902 President Teddy Roosevelt threated to use army troops to work the coal mines which have been on strike since May. This brought the owners to agree to abide by arbitration. On this day in 1978 President Jimmy Carter answered caller’s questions on NPR. Today’s dead person is Nichiren. He was a Buddhist priest and philosopher who lived until 1282. Nichiren said, “That which you give to another will become your sustenance; if you light a lamb for another, your own way will be lit.” “One should become the master of one’s mind rather than let one’s mind master him.” “Whether one has wealth or not, no treasure exceeds the one called life.” He’s right. What you give, you will get back. If you train your mind to think positive thoughts, you will become a positive person. Life is good. Abide.
