This is my introductory episode to the new Mornings With Ron Podcast.  Weekly thoughts to provoke thought, inspire the heart and feed the soul. I hope that you enjoy.  New episodes released each weekend.

When I saw this post it made me smile. Why? Because I know I’m sometimes too much for some people. I have always had this way of joking with people, with a little sarcasm mixed in to make them laugh. It often causes them to be self deprecating. It is kind of a biting humor that definitely runs in the Rochester family. My Aunt Monica had it, my Uncle Rocky had it and my grandmother had it when she wanted to. It is a kind of retort and look that anyone in the family would recognize instantly.

When I was a kid, I used to like to pull pranks. Harmless pranks, but ones that would make everyone laugh and the person that I pulled them on want to kill me. But it always wound up in a bonding moment for those involved. My friends will tell you that later on in life I developed the quickest retort to something someone would say more than anyone around. It was often at their expense, but it was always done in the spirit of love and friendship. There are those that are just as good at giving it back as I became at dishing it out, and you know who you are. The funny thing is that I don’t do it with everyone. It isn’t for people I have just met, or those I don’t really know. It isn’t for those that I am uncomfortable with or those that just won’t get it. When you are on the receiving end you know that you have become one of those people in my inner circle that I feel comfortable enough with and love enough to be who I truly am.

Several years ago when I was living in New Jersey I was with my partner and our friend one night and they questioned why I always did that. So, I decided to show them the inverse of my normal action and became the sweetest most agreeable person you have ever met. Did I take it to the extreme, of course I did. It was so annoying to them that they told me to go back to my old self and my point was proved.

I believe that there are times that you can go to far. You have to know when the situation warrants the sarcasm and when it doesn’t have a place. But often people have told me it is what endears me to them most. As I have gotten older it has subsided considerably, but in my heyday I may have been too much for some people, but those truly weren’t my people. The people that matter are still there and they know who they are and that I love them with all my heart.

Have a great weekend and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

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Mornings With Ron is now available on podcast at anchor.fm/morninswithron, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and most podcast sites. Episode 4 available this coming Saturday.

When we go to sleep at night, it is our body and minds time to rejuvenate, recharge and get ready for whatever tomorrow may bring. As we well know, sometimes when that alarm goes off in the morning that feeling of rejuvenation and recharge isn’t so evident and the snooze button gets hit more time as it should. We eventually crawl out of bed, make our way to the coffee maker or tea pot, hit the button and wait for that jolt of caffeine that sometimes jump starts our day. We never know what the day is going to bring. We just know that we have to go through the morning routines to get ourselves ready and then off we go.

There are many days when the routine isn’t enough. We just can’t seem to muster the energy we need to meet the day head on. Last night’s extra beer or glass of wine, that big work dinner we had and work that kept us up until all wee hours of the night can all contribute to a lack of motivation. For those of us who work at home there is an added level of anxiety as we go about our work day because we have to create our own sense of excitement within the four walls of our home.

In all of this preparation and anticipation there is one thing that we forget. Each and every one of those mornings is a gift. A blank slate to make that particular day of our life anything that we want it to be. Sure, there are things on our calendar from a work or family responsibility perspective that we just can’t get around. However, in this 1,440 minutes of the day, there are some that truly belong to us. The question is, how do we use them?

I take after my grandmother. I have a hard time sitting still and I always have to be doing something. I work on cards, writing, recording and refining my podcast, reading, you name it. Yet, I am starting to understand the importance of me time. Those minutes that I carve out to do something that does not involve anyone else and is something specifically for me. It helps to balance my thoughts of what the day is going to be like and increases my motivation to get that day started.

The thing to remember is that every morning has the possibility to be anything we wan it to be. We can correct past mistakes, make new ones that we learn from, alter our life path and even set ourselves on a course for an amazing future. I have said before that we get one chance at life, no do overs. Will you make that commitment today to make this new day everything that it can possibly be?

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

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Mornings With Ron is now available on podcast at anchor.fm/morningswithron, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and most podcast hosting sites.

Yesterday, I was thinking about the wonderful array of friends that I have that have been by my side for many years. There are those that are close, which makes it easier to have contact with, while there are others that are far away, which makes it more difficult. Yet, each and every one of them are just as important as the other in the garden of life.

We all have those people that we don’t talk to for months. Yet, they are always in our hearts. But the minute that we are reunited it’s as if no time has ever come between you. You pick up right where you left off and enjoy catching up on all the happenings of each other’s life. It is as if time stood still and you had just seen them yesterday. These are the people that you know came into your life for a reason and are there for a purpose.

There are those friends that you feel so connected to that you should have been born twins. When you are together you finish each other’s sentences. You like the same things. When something good happens they are the first you tell and when something bad happens they are the first you reach out to. They support you in your causes, your times of need and in life as a whole. These are the people that don’t have to wonder who they are, they know who they are because the give and take is a two way street.

As we get older, these friendships become even more important. It becomes about the quality and not the quantity and we find that solid block of friendship that makes it more and more difficult for others to find their way in. We become more selective and our criteria gets harder to be a part of the circle that surrounds us. I think part of that is because we have invested so much in nurturing and growing the friendship of those that are close that they become the bar that we set for anyone new that may desire to come in. Part of it is also the fact that our lives become so busy that we want to be able to give them the quality time that our friends deserve, rather the just a little time that leaves both wanting more.

Friendships are part of the lifeblood of our souls. If we are lucky enough to have those that have given the gift of their friendship to us, then we have a responsibility to ensure that the scales are balanced and that we are giving in return. When properly nourished and tended to, it is those friendships that become friendships for a lifetime.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

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Mornings With Ron is now available as a podcast on anchor.fm/morningswithron, Apple and Google Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms.

This morning I released a bonus episode of Mornings with Ron to introduce you to my amazing Grandma Lola who was the inspiration for the Bring Smiles to Seniors program. I hope you enjoy. Look for our regularly scheduled episode that will be released this coming Saturday.

Available at anchor.fm/morningswithron as well as Apple and Google Podcasts, Spotify  and most podcast hosting sites.

Sometimes in the attempt to be positive, we have to weed out the negative. Those things in our life that mire us down and keep us from living our full potential. I call it “weeding the garden”. Often it is things, possessions and yes sometimes even people. It is something that is learned over time as our lives get crowed with excess baggage that at some point we determine just needs to go.

I have never been one of those people that feel like I need to have a thousand friends to feel complete, no matter who they are and what they contribute, or don’t contribute to my life. Most of my friends are people who have been in my life for many years, while there are others that are just passing acquaintances. However, even those that may have played a prominent place at some point have to be evaluated occasionally to see if the weight of the relationship is equal. We have to determine if it is so one sided that it lacks the definition of a true friendship to the point that it saps the energy that you need to devote to those that are truly emotionally giving in return. Those are the unhealthy ones.

There are many reasons that we tend to hold onto those not so healthy relationships. They need us more than we need them, to the point that they drain our life energy and leave nothing left for others. Think about it. Are you the one that is always making the call to get together and do something without your phone ever ringing asking you to do the same? Are you the one that is providing constant emotional support, yet when the time comes where you are in need that person is no where to be found to support you? Are you the one that leaves every encounter with your “friend” emotionally exhausted when the other person lives rejuvenated and ready to move on to their next victim? Yes, I said victim.

Sometimes this happens without us ever realizing it until we take the opportunity to sit down and take inventory of how valuable the friendship is to both sides. I truly believe that we are doing them as much harm as good by using all our life energy to try and make their life better and leaving us very little life energy to focus on those that care about us as much as we care about them. Understanding that there are times when our friends will be in need, there are naturally going to be circumstances where we should devote all our energy to being there for our friend when they need it most. It is when that becomes the requirement 100% of the time, yet we find ourselves needing a little of that support in return with out getting it that we have to reevaluate.

If you haven’t taken an inventory of your garden lately and you are feeling emotionally exhausted and drained by some of your relationships, maybe now is the time to do it. If you find that the weeds are keeping you from being emotionally satisfied with your relationship, then perhaps its time to do a little pruning to ensure that you have the fertilizer you need to continue to make those relationships that are most meaningful grow.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

Mornings With Ron is now available on podcast at anchor.fm/morningswithro, and you can subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting sites.

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What an amazing year so far for the Bring Smiles to Seniors organization. Never has the “power of we” been more evident than now. We continue to break records and have just crossed the 10,000 mark for cards delivered this year. Yes, I said 10,000!  With that I thought I would provide a few statistics about our progress:

• We have delivered 10,036 cards date.
• Cards have gone out to 112 unique senior communities across the country.
• Cards have been delivered to three meals on wheels programs.
• We have added 15 new senior communities in multiple states to our delivery rotation including our second veterans home.
• We have provided cards to Operating Gratitude.
• We have expanded our school, civic group and corporate partner decorating network, as well as added new individual decorators to our program.
• Our card artist network continues to expand thanks to your sharing our information with friends and colleagues.
• We launched Mornings with Ron on podcast and it is now available at anchor.fm/morningswithron, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and most podcast sites. New episodes are free and released every weekend with five messages to provoke thought, inspire the heart and give food for the soul

In March we will enter our fourth year of this program and what we have been able to accomplish has been amazing and wonderful. With all of this expansion comes increased costs (especially with the recent postage increase), so we are always in need of donations to keep us going. Your donations are our lifeline to continuing to be able to mail packages that bring smiles to seniors. We are a 501 (c)(3) and donations are tax deductible as permitted by law.  You can donate on our website at bringsmilestoseniors.com or on our Facebook page at facebook.com/bringsmilestoseniors.  Facebook does not charge fees, so 100% of your donation goes to the program and given that we are an all volunteer organization 100% of your donation is used to support the program. Checks can be mailed to us at Bring Smiles to Seniors PO Box 226 Odessa FL 33556.

I am excited to see where this year goes and look forward to continuing this journey with all of you. My deepest thanks to you for being a part of our success. Onward to 50,000 and beyond.

Sincerely,

Ron Tyson – President & Founder – Bring Smiles to Seniors

“A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE.  REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. WWW.FLORIDACONSUMERHELP.COM” EIN 81-2548045 REGISTRATION NUMBER: CH48309

As we go through life, many people come in and out of it on a regular basis. Some we only see for a fleeting moment. Others come in and stay for a lifetime. Then there are those that find a place, not by chance, but because they were supposed to be there. These are not your every day individuals. These are people that make such an impression on your life that you could not even imagine what life would be like without having met them.

When I look back over the course of my life and truly think about the people that I have come in contact with, there are those that did something, said something or even exemplified something that caused them to be etched into my mind forever. They could have been there for only a fleeting moment, yet did something extraordinary. Or, they could be people that are always there and seem to be the go to people when we are in need most. For some reason, they were people that were placed on the path of our life journey at a time when we needed them most and we know for sure that they were truly meant to be there.

Now, if you look at the flip side of that and evaluate how many times we were that person for someone else, we begin to understand what an awesome responsibility it is when we are presented with that opportunity. I honestly believe that there is no greater gift that you can give someone than to be that person that left an indelible imprint on their life for that moment. The universe brings us together for a reason, not by chance. For that one moment we are meant to be a part of each other’s life when the need is greatest.

Part of why I write Mornings With Ron and now do a podcast is because of the need I feel and have always felt to help others. It isn’t because I know everything or have every answer. It is because I hope that through sharing if even one life experience makes a difference in someone else’s life, then it is all worth it.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

Mornings With Ron is now available on podcast at anchor.fm, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and most podcast sites.

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Episode 2 of Mornings With Ron is now available at anchor.fm/morningswithron as well as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and most podcast sites.  I hope you enjoy.  The theme this week is “making the most of our life minutes”.

It was impossible to read this quote and not think of my grandmother. This was a woman who raised three children on her own in times that were difficult and she didn’t know where her next meal was going to come from. A woman who worked hard jobs to take care of her family, while ensuring that the needs of her community were being met as well. This was a woman grounded in faith, who didn’t know the meaning of the word no and hard work was in the forefront of her vocabulary. This was the woman that always told me never to start a job unless I was going to finish it and never do a job unless I was going to do it right.

It is sometimes hard for us to truly understand individuals who lived through tough times like the depression and how that shaped and molded their belief system and resolve. Individuals that had to fight for everything they got and stopping when they were tired often meant that they or their family would would not eat that night, have clothes on their back, or a roof over their head. Those experiences create a strength within individuals that is molded by their very surroundings and circumstances.

I can think of many situations I have been in over the years when I just wanted to give up. Situations where no matter how hard I tried, there seemed to be a wall that would appear in my way and it became exhausting. If I had quit every time I was tired and saw no way out, I would have left a lot of half finished situations along my life path. Somehow, thinking of my grandmother and that mantra that she always instilled me always gave me the extra boost I needed to carry on. I would think about the days she would work managing her warehouse, driving the forklift, sweeping the floors and then go and bake cakes and sit with someone who was sick or lonely until the wee hours of the morning. That always provide me the inspiration I needed to keep going until my task was done.

We come across some pretty hard situations in life. Situations that will take us to places that we didn’t even know we could go. Our ability to be successful in those endeavors lies within our ability to persevere at times when the tiredness seems to give us a ticket to quit. Being able to continue to done in those instances provides us with the strength and belief that the next time we are presented with a difficult ituation there is nothing that can stop us.

Have a great weekend and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

Mornings with Ron is now available on podcast at https://anchor.fm/morningswithron

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