Enjoy each moment of each day, because Life moves very fast, 

UNLESS it is Tuesday and you want it to be Friday.

M E Martin 3/2026

 Beware the one barely hanging on to the outside ring of their lifeboat, still screaming commands to you on how to guide your life and decisions. Concentrate not on their commands, but your own willingness to think and determine the best route for you and your goals.

M E Martin 3/2026

Socrates

Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, as well as being the first moral philosopher who pioneered the tradition of western ethical thought. While a prominent figure, his ideas are known through the writings of his students Plato and Xenophon. Plato’s dialogues are some of the most comprehensive pieces of literature related to Socrates to survive through antiquity.
Socrates became known worldwide for his contribution to the idea of ethics. His unique line of thinking, questioning and critical thinking in order to discover the truth became known as the Socratic method. His method remains a commonly used tool today, where individuals will ask a series of questions not only to draw certain answers, but to encourage fundamental insight into the issue which is being debated. Recognized as one of the world’s greatest philosophers, many of his ideas have also been thought to be the source of inspiration for many of history’s greatest leaders, and Socrates is credited with laying down the foundation for what became western philosophy.

Let’s keep his great teachings alive by remembering 24 of his most famous quotes:

1) “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”

2) “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

3) “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

4) “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.”
5) “There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.”

6) “Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.”

7)  “Know thyself.”

8) “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”

9) “If you don’t get what you want, you suffer; if you get what you don’t want, you suffer; even when you get exactly what you want, you still suffer because you can’t hold on to it forever. Your mind is your predicament. It wants to be free of change. Free of pain, free of the obligations of life and death. But change is law and no amount of pretending will alter that reality.”

10) “Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.”

11) “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”

12) “To find yourself, think for yourself.”

13) “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.”

14) “By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.”

15) “Let him who would move the world first move himself.”
16) “The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”

17) “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

18) “I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think”

19) “Prefer knowledge to wealth, for the one is transitory, the other perpetual.”

20) “Understanding a question is half an answer”

21) “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us”

22) “To be is to do”

23) “He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.”

24) “The mind is everything; what you think you become”

July 4th

Wikipedia
During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain in 1776 actually occurred on July 2, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain rule. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it two days later on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

Historians have long disputed whether members of Congress signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, even though Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had signed it on that day. Most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.
Coincidentally, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, James Monroe, another Founding Father who was elected as President, also died on July 4, 1831. He was the third President who died on the anniversary of independence. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872; so far he is the only U.S. President to have been born on Independence Day.

Eight Choices You Can Make Today that Will Change Your Life Forever

by Chris Widener
The direction of our lives is determined by the choices we make every day. They accumulate and add up to our ultimate destiny. Here are eight choices you can make - choices that will create for you a life of abundance and prosperity in all areas of your life.

1. Choose to grow personally. This sounds simple but many people only wish to grow personally. They never choose to grow by taking action, such as actually exercising, saving more money etc. Make a decision today to be a person who is on the never ending journey of personal growth.

2. Choose to always treat others right. We come across all sorts of people, many of whom will treat us poorly. We can choose to treat them right, no matter how they treat us. When they lie, we will tell the truth. When they cheat, we will play by the rules. We may get the short end of the stick some times, but in the long-run we will win. And most importantly, we will be able to sleep at night.

3. Choose to break a bad habit. Take the biggie first. Tackle it head on. If you don't know what it is, ask a friend. Then spend every effort you can to break that habit. Forget about the others, as you will get to them later. Stop smoking, get out of debt, lose your excess weight. Exercise the power to choose!

4. Choose to work smarter. Many people I work with feel like they are out of balance. One of the first things I do is try to find out how much time they are wasting at work, which makes them work longer, which throws the rest of their life into chaos. Getting your work done by diligently working in the time you have will free your life up extraordinarily.

5. Choose to see your work as a way to help others, and not a way to make money. If you put your heart into helping others, the money will most assuredly come. Spend time helping others grow and your finances will grow with it.

 6. Choose to become balanced spiritually, emotionally and physically. Our lives are best when we have these three major areas in balance. Spend some time cultivating your spirituality, becoming emotionally healthy, and physically fit.

7. Choose to sow more than you reap. There are many takers in this world, but our lives will be better as we become givers. The world will become better as we become givers. Give away your time, give away your money, give away your love.

8. Choose to get home for dinner more often. The family is the most important group of people you will ever belong to. Make a decision today to grow in your relationship with your parents, siblings, spouse and children. This one choice you will never regret.

One of my favorite quotes: “The history of free men is never written by chance, but by choice; their choice.”
— Dwight D. Eisenhower

Be Responsible For Your Own Financial Security
by Denis Waitley
There is no job security. You can’t rely on staying with the same company through retirement. Pension plans, when available, are woefully inadequate. Social security benefits won’t come close to covering your living expenses in retirement.
The only way to reach financial security is to plan for it now, regardless of your age. You have to define financial security in your own terms. Have you defined the amount of assets that you need for financial independence?
Financial security is that amount of assets that will give you a specific income, after taxes, to live like you want to, without having to depend on day-to-day employment.
What is that amount for you? I believe it is more than you think. And, I feel that if you define it, you can reach it in ten years or less. Do you have a financial plan and the assistance of a financial planner?  You need both. Always retain a financial planner on a fee-for-service basis. Don’t mix financial planning with an investment broker or insurance agent. What are your financial goals and what is your time line? Because I started late in my quest for financial independence, I have a maximum five-year period remaining for capital accumulation.
Action Idea: Wealth is not only based on income, but also on expenditures. Are you spending or investing?  Are your purchases goal-achieving or tension-relieving? How do you use credit cards? Use your credit cards for services or purchases that retain their value or that build your business. Don’t use credit cards for vacations and personal entertainment, unless you plan to pay the entire balance in one or two months. Try to pay all your balances in full monthly. In this way, you avoid the ridiculously high interest payments. Realize that paying minimum balances, at high interest rates, means that you are paying two or three times what the original purchase was worth.
Most importantly, save at least 6 to 10 percent of your take-home pay each month, by writing a check into a savings account or mutual fund for that amount, as if it were a utility bill or house payment. The secret of most self-made multi-millionaires is compound interest. If parents saved one dollar each day for their newborn infant, by going without a cup of Starbuck’s coffee, or a Big Mac, or a soft drink for that day, by the time the child reached age forty, he or she would have a million dollars cash. No lottery windfall. No brilliant investment strategy. Just compound interest, which Baron von Rothchild labeled “The Eighth Wonder of the World.”

 

5 first-time homebuyer mistakes

By Polyana da Costa • Bankrate.com

 time homebuyer mistakes

Thinking about buying your first home? Before you can unlock the door to homeownership, you have to take some important first steps. From finding the perfect location to financing your purchase, shopping for your first home has challenges that go beyond curb appeal and interior features.

Some of the important steps to homeownership include:

Many first-time homebuyers decide to buy when they feel ready for a mortgage. But just because they can afford the mortgage payments doesn't mean they can afford to own a home, says New York attorney Rafael Castellanos, president of Expert Title Insurance.

"They have an idea of what their mortgage payment is going to be, but they don't realize there's much more to it," he says.

Property insurance, taxes, homeowners association dues, maintenance, and higher electric and water bills are some of the costs that first-time homebuyers tend to overlook when shopping for a place.

"Keep in mind property taxes and insurance have a tendency of going up every year," Castellanos says. "Even if you can afford it now, ask yourself if you'll be able to afford the increased costs later."

Even though it's your first home, you must think of it as a long-term commitment, says Ed Conarchy, a mortgage planner and investment adviser at Cherry Creek Mortgage in Gurnee, Illinois.

"If you have to switch jobs in a year or two, and may have to move for the job, you should think twice," says Conarchy. "Ideally, you should picture yourself living in that house for 5 to 7 years."

Home buying doesn't begin with home searching. It begins with a mortgage prequalification -- unless you're lucky to have enough money to pay cash for your first house.

Often, first-time homebuyers "are afraid to get prequalified," says Steve Anderson, a broker and owner at Re/Max Benchmark Realty in Las Vegas. They fear the lender may tell them they don't qualify for a mortgage or they qualify for a loan smaller than expected. "So they pick a price range out of the sky and say, 'Let's go look for a house,'" Anderson says.

And that's not how it should be done. Yes, it's more fun to go look at houses than to sit in a lender's office where you have to expose your financial situation. But that's a backward approach, Conarchy says.

"You get preapproved, and then you find a home," he says. "That way, you'll make a financial decision versus an emotional decision."

New to the home buying game? You'll need a reputable real estate agent, a good loan officer or broker, and perhaps a lawyer.

Venturing into this process alone, without professional help, is not a good idea, says Anderson. While every rule has its exception, generally, first-time homebuyers should not try to deal directly with the listing agent, he says.

"If you are getting divorced, are you going to go to your husband's attorney for help? Of course not," he says. "Same here. If you go to a listing agent, they are only going to show you their listings. You must find a buyer's agent to help you."

If you hire an agent without a referral from friends or family, ask the agent to provide references from previous buyers. The same goes for loan officers or mortgage brokers.

"It's very hard for first-time homebuyers because they don't know who they are dealing with," Anderson says.

It's crucial to find a professional who will give you "truly independent advice," Conarchy says.

Sometimes that means hiring a lawyer, says Castellanos.

"You are about to make what is possibly the largest single investment of your lifetime," Castellanos says. "You want to make sure it's done right."

Spending all or most of their savings on the down payment and closing costs is one of the biggest mistakes first-time homebuyers make, Conarchy says.

"Some people scrape all their money together to make the 20% down payment so they don't have to pay for mortgage insurance, but they are picking the wrong poison because they are left with no savings at all," he says.

Homebuyers who put 20% or more down don't have to pay for mortgage insurance when getting a conventional mortgage. That's usually translated into substantial savings on the monthly mortgage payment. But it's not worth the risk of living on the edge, says Conarchy.

"I'd take paying for mortgage insurance any day over not having money for rainy days," he says. "Everyone -- especially homeowners -- needs to have a rainy-day fund."

You have prequalified for a loan. You found the house you wanted. The contract is signed and the closing is in 30 days. Don't celebrate by financing another big purchase.

Lenders pull credit reports before the closing to make sure the borrower's financial situation has not changed since the loan was approved. Any new loans on your credit report can jeopardize the closing.

Buyers, especially first-timers, often learn this lesson the hard way.

"They sign the contract and they want to go buy new furniture for the house or a new car," Anderson says. "I remember one case where, just before closing, the buyer drove to the office and said, 'Look at my brand-new car.' I told them, 'You'd better go back to that dealership.'"

Luckily, the dealership agreed to wait a couple of days to report the loan to the credit bureaus, he says. Otherwise, it could have killed the deal.

You've decided to go for it. You know rates are near all-time lows.

Buying a home can be thrilling and nerve-wracking at the same time, especially for a first-time homebuyer -- it's difficult to know exactly what to expect. The learning curve can be steep, but most of the issues can be resolved by doing a little financial homework.

Take these 5 steps to help make the process go more smoothly.

Most Important Things to Repair Before Selling a House

by Bill Gassett

It is easy to miss a lot of the wear and tear that happens to your house over the years. But when you start thinking about selling, the state of your home becomes much clearer. You know that there are things that need to be fixed and cleaned up. However, you only have so much money and time to make repairs. So, what should you fix?

Keep in mind, articles like this one are meant to provide general advice on what works for most people. Ideally, you will have a real estate agent you can talk to who will look at your particular home and give you targeted advice – which will get you the best results for your circumstances. But even if you are working with a Realtor, this information can give you a starting point on what to discuss with your agent about possible home repairs.

Taking care of the most important things to repair before selling a house will put more money in your pocket! This is one of the primary reasons real estate agent recommend taking care of certain things before you list your home.

Repairs Worth Making Before You Sell

1. Paint

Paint is one of the cheapest, easiest ways to update the look of your home before you list it. And you don’t need to be a professional painter to make this work for you, either. Watch a few videos online, pick your colors and go to town!

Lighter and neutral colors are preferred when selling because they tend to appeal to most people. You never know who will walk through the door to view the house, so it makes sense to keep the styling primary. You don’t have to paint every room, necessarily, just those that obviously need it. Rooms with dark paint, chipped or dirty paint are the ones that will benefit most.

If you have wallpaper in your home, it is almost always a good idea to remove it to sell your home for the most money. Wallpaper dates a home. Buyers have a hard time selling past wallpaper. Some sellers assume a buyer should just be able to “look past it.” They will say to their agent we will give the buyer an allowance to remove the wallpaper. This is a mistake as it defeats the purpose. Getting rid of wallpaper is all about first impressions and making a home more appealing to a buyer. Removing the wallpaper is what puts more money in a sellers pocket.

Just the other day I was having this conversation with one of my clients in Holliston Massachusetts. It was imperative to make them understand how important the initial visit is to a home and the impression it makes on a buyer.

2. Exterior

The exterior is the first thing buyers will see, so you want it to look good. Replace missing fence boards, add sod if the yard is looking the worse for wear, and clean up any junk that may have accumulated in the yard or on the outside of any storage sheds. Make sure the grass is mowed and that weeds are taken care of before someone comes to view the home. You can also plant some flowers in the beds to add color and make the place feel homier. Here are some low-cost exterior home improvements worth doing.

Moss growth on the roof, missing shingles, and problems with the siding are all things that buyers will notice. Try to get all these things patched up now so you don’t have to answer questions about it later.

3. Kitchen

Everyone wants a large, spacious kitchen with all new appliances – where they can cook and entertain (even if they never do either). Now your kitchen may not satisfy these desires without significant upgrades, which may not make sense financially. Do not do a complete kitchen renovation unless your agent tells you that he or she believes you can make your money back on the sale.

However, you can make some minor repairs that will make your kitchen appear more inviting, even if it isn’t a “dream kitchen”. If the painting, lighting, and countertops all scream the 1970s, you can change all of these without too large of an investment. You can paint as necessary, install new fixtures and replace the countertops to something more appealing (granite and marble are not a requirement for an updated look). The price of solid surface materials, however, has come down in recent years so it might be worth getting an estimate for installing granite counter tops, especially when the kitchen counter space is not huge.

As far as appliances go, buyers are going to expect these to work. If the oven, dishwasher or range are out of operation – or in awful shape – replacing them might be necessary to appeal to buyers.

4. Bathroom

A clean bathroom – one where everything works as it should – is a necessity. If you have a problem with a running toilet or a leaky faucet, make repairs as necessary. You can cause the toilet look much better just by replacing the seat. Cleaning up the grout or replacing it is always a good idea, as it can become dirty over the years. Any missing tiles should also be replaced.

If the bathroom has old wallpaper or dingy surfaces, a new paint job is recommended. The brighter and cleaner you can make the room, the better. The bathrooms and kitchen are the most important areas in a home. These are areas where buyers will put their focus. They are also the most expensive areas in a home to upgrade. This makes it vital for you to repair any issues before putting your home up for sale.

5. Lighting

Lighting can make even the smallest home seem open and inviting. You want to maximize the perception of space, so you will want to take advantage of the many lighting options now available. You can learn more about lighting different spaces online and find a variety of affordable lighting options that will be far superior to the current overhead or stand lights in your house. Take some time to analyze your current space and see if you can find some ways to improve the lighting. If you have “dated” light fixtures this is another area that for a little bit of money invested can translate into a quicker sale.

Don’t forget natural lighting, either. Ditch the heavy drapes for light colored curtains that let the in the sun.

6. Refinishing Hardwood Floors

Without a doubt, hardwood floors are one of the most popular flooring selections in a home. As Debbie Gartner, the owner of Floor Coverings International in Westchester NY explains the look of wood floors can totally change the appearance of a home. This is the type of flooring that most home buyers prefer. What does this mean when you are selling? It means that you have your hardwood floors looking their best. Refinishing your hardwoods when they need it can totally change how a buyer views your property. There is nothing like entering a home where the hardwood looks spectacular. The great thing about refinishing hardwood floors is the return on investment which is very high.

7. Functionality

Go to your home and make sure everything works as it should – from the small things like doorknobs and locks to bigger stuff like your garage door. Everything doesn’t have to be new for a home to be desirable to buyers, but all the functional aspects of the home must be in good working order to fetch the best price. A few broken components are all it takes to start driving the price down, so get them fixed.

One of the smartest things a seller can do is be ready for the buyers home inspection. More home sales fall apart at the home inspection than at any other point in time during a transaction. This leads to the importance of know what the most common home inspections issues are and dealing with them beforehand! Some very specific issues can kill home sales. If you are aware of any of these problems it is important to address them before putting your home on the market.

8. Pre-Sale Inspection

One crucial way to avoid the problems that can swiftly end a home sale is to have a pre-sale home inspection. A pre-sale home inspection can help you identify issues and fix them before you try to sell your home. Unless you are a professional contractor, a real estate agent or a home inspector, you are probably going to miss a few things as you go looking for problems with the home. And even if you are a professional, a home inspection will still be required before a lending company will loan a buyer money to purchase your home. If you don’t find the problems now, you will be forced to deal with them later before you can finalize the sale.

Have an inspector look over your home, fix whatever is broken and then move forward with your sale – confident that you have covered all the bases.

Final Thoughts

Obviously, there are other important things to repair before selling a house like a heating system that does not work, a roof that is leaking, previous ice dam problems, structural issues or something that would prevent a buyer from getting a mortgage. It goes without saying that if the purchaser cannot procure a mortgage, it will be awfully difficult to sell your home. Cash buyers do not grow on trees. So if you don’t have an unlimited budget to make repairs, indeed tackle the issues that would stop a sale from happening first. Once those concerns are addressed, you can then focus on some of the other important things I have mentioned above.

Leaving repairs for a buyer is not a smart thing to do if you are looking to get the most money for your home. If your home is in deplorable condition and you are just looking to get out with a quick sale, you might want to consider selling to a real estate investor. There are companies out there like We Buy Ugly Houses who will purchase your home from you for cash with no contingencies. Of course, a company like this is not going to be paying you the market value for your home. This is for those sellers who are desperate to sell and get some remaining equity fast.

Alexander The Great