We find ourselves in unprecedented times where the world needs a little more kindness, love and understanding. Where we have to believe that we come from that same process of conception and are brought into a world that isn’t the same for everyone. While teaching and learning are important to understanding how to experience the basic primal function of love, the ability to love and be loved really starts within ourselves. People who don’t love themselves and are miserable in who they are find it difficult to be able to pass that… Read More

There are those times in our lives where all it takes is acting on a thought to start something that has the ability to change the world. Not just thinking about it, but truly taking all the steps necessary to see that thought come to fruition. Such was the case with the Bring Smiles to Seniors program. Visiting my grandmother in her senior community was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Every time I walked the halls and saw the sadness on the faces of those that… Read More

I often write about the “power of we”. Sometimes words are not necessary to explain, when numbers can do it for you. Especially in my Bring Smiles to Seniors program. 2016: 7,719 cards delivered 2017: 18,810 cards delivered 2018: 40,515 cards delivered 2019: 71,586 cards delivered 2020 to date: 77,172 cards delivered #morningswithron #bringsmilestoseniors #thepowerofwe Bringsmilestoseniors.com

Sometimes we underestimate the “power of we” when setting goals. For the past four years of the Bring Smiles to Seniors program, we have set goals that we hoped were attainable. When running a nonprofit, there are a lot of unknowns and setting a goal is not necessarily a science, but rather sometimes a gut feeling that leads you to a number. While that part may seem easy, it is bringing all the pieces together to make that goal become a reality where the real work lies. For Bring Smiles, it involves… Read More

It is the times when you can’t be with your family that you remember things that happened in your life that remind you how special your relationship is. Things that may not have entered your thoughts for years, suddenly seem like they were yesterday. My first assignment in the Air Force was in Turkey. I was allowed leave to come home and I had not seen my parents for some time. I was originally supposed to fly into one airport and I wound up being changed to another airport on my trip… Read More

One of the things I miss most in this pandemic is the power of touch. Seeing someone you love or have missed and not being able to run into their arms or shake their hand is hard. Last week, I finally drove to see my mom and dad about three hours away. My dad has been battling Lymphoma for the last couple of years, so I wasn’t taking any chances and maintained severe social distancing. The desire to hug them and hold them was so overpowering that it reminded me just how… Read More

We got up this morning, started our daily chores, had our morning coffee and took a look at our calendar. There wasn’t an empty space to be found. From morning to night, every one of our waking minutes was filled with something to do. Suddenly, we realize that nowhere in that day is there time for us. At that moment we have a choice. Take out an eraser and block out some time that we can claim as our own. Or, live in a perpetual state of racing to the finish line… Read More

A big thank you to Bella Home Market in Lutz, Florida for carrying my book in their store. Post COVID they are planning a wine and book signing evening. I am most appreciative of your support. If you’re ever in that area, stop in and check them out. It is a beautiful store with lots of beautiful things. #morningswithron

Writing a book is tough. Getting people to buy it is even tougher. However, when you get an email from one of our senior communities in our Bring Smiles to Seniors program telling you that they are going to be reading your book to sight impaired residents, well that kind of makes your day. #morningswithron #bringsmilestoseniors

It’s easy to complain. It is our mind’s way of letting off steam when something is bothering us. However, how often do we complain without ever offering solutions? Complaining while offering up alternatives increases the possibility that others will see our complaint as valid. Always complaining without ever having alternative solutions often causes us to just be seen as an annoying person. #morningswithron