Letters to our Grandchildren

  My New Year tip to readers is to do something for someone else. I love the   quote from motivational speaker Zig Ziglar who famously said, "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." Overall, acts of kindness benefit both your mental and physical well-being. I know some of you are saying, "Mike, I am too busy, too stressed, too overworked, and overwhelmed." How can I help others when I can barely help myself? We can look to the late President Jimmy Carter. He served as president of the US and then quietly faded into the background, but he and his wife went on for decades to serve others.  Why?  When you do something nice for someone, your body experiences several positive mental and physical benefits: Random acts of kindness release serotonin (which improves mood), dopamine (which creates a sense of pleasure), and endorphins (which reduce pain and stress). Being kind can lower cortisol levels, your stres...

 Hi kids, Speaking in front of groups may be one of the hardest things you will ever do.  It is not a skill that comes easily but a must-do. Take a class on how to be a better speaker, enter some competitions, and have fun.  You will not be good at it for quite a while, but keep practicing. Everyone is a beginner sometimes. Even I was a white belt in karate once.  This skill you will use many times in your life will help build your confidence and make you a leader. Remember to ask Uncle Jsmes for help.  He can write you some beautiful speeches. Love, “Grampy

 10-18-24 Hi kids, A few years ago there was a movie titled “The bucket list” where it featured a couple of friends who were old and in their final years.  They made a list of things they wanted to accomplish before they die. I would like you to make a list of things you want to accomplish in your young life and update it regularly.  Last year at age 70 I went to key west and got scuba certified.  I wanted to do it when uncle James was 12 or 13 but I never followed up on it.  We could have enjoyed it together for so many years.  Next I have to nudge him to get certified.   Cioci Jean had a good technique she and uncle Dave had where on new year day they would work on theirs.  A great time to set up your year.  Some goals on the list might be long term, like getting your black belt. Leni you just told me this week you wanted to live in Hawaii, and mentioned Maui. Very impressive goal for a 6 year old. Love you guys. Grampy

 Continued And Never  Ending Improvement 

 Hi kids, I started writing a new paper article in the Villager newspapers.  These are tips for parents on how to help their kids be awesome in life. Here is my latest article. https://linpub.blob.core.windows.net/pdf/2/3bf72696-76c1-41ee-be17-ebbeeae2ec23.pdf Hope these help you as kids and maybe someday as parents too. Love you so much. Grampy

 Dear Lily (G1) and Leni (G2), We love our family members. We have always enjoyed our whole family. Having you two first grandchildren has brought us all much joy.  Little did we know we would be lucky enough to get three more of you! Grampy

                                                                    Hi Grandchildren, This is Grampy (bampy as Leni called me when she was little). Mimi and I have loads of wisdom to pass on.  I wish I had started this when you were first born but I just read an article about a Grampy who was doing something similar and thought we could do some good here.  We have decades of experience that we think you can learn from. Love you with all our hearts!