Publisher’s Letter
Sometimes, even though the signs may be right in front of us, we fail to get the message. I recently took a photo of an islander―—maybe you have seen him. He is often running alongside the road on my way home from our office, waving a sign that simply says “Love.” I found out he calls himself the anonymous runner, and apparently he has decided to take it upon himself to help spread a little love.
If you’ve ever driven down McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers, you’ve most likely seen the neon-lettered sign in front of an older home that says “God is Love.” Originally erected in 1943, the sign had deteriorated and was in need of repair. But in 2013, a local philanthropic foundation and a generous sign company got together to make sure the message of love was refurbished, so it once again illuminates the way with its simple but inspiring message.
Although these two examples seem small, imagine the power of the results if we all attempted to pass around a little more love in our daily lives. Personally, I have some goals for the new year that I’d like to share with our readers:
Positive thoughts lead to positive actions. Don’t let negative situations or people bring you down.
Cherish—―and I mean really take the time to appreciate every minute—―that you are able to share with family and close friends.
Try the “8-8-8” method for managing your day. Eight hours each of work, play and sleep. Believe me, even though this does not always seem practical, I’m going to make every effort to follow that rule.
If you run a business, treat your employees with the same respect and dignity with which you treat your own family. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the results.
There’s no question that today’s world can be full of stress, frightening events and uncertainty about the future. Yet when we each awaken every day, we have the ability to choose how we see the day ahead. It is our choice and our choice alone, whether to embrace an attitude of love and peace, or to allow the dark drama we encounter to dictate our demeanor.
The year 2015 was fantastic for all of us here at TOTI Media, and we feel extremely grateful and blessed for all the good things we experienced. We are equally excited about all of the prospects awaiting us this year, as we reach our 20th year in publishing, and we hope you feel the same.
Perhaps if we, as individuals, made it our mission to face every day with a little more love in our hearts and a real desire to do something positive for someone else, we will see our way to a more harmonious and joyous 2016.
The signs are there—―all we need to do is see them.
PLEASE SHARE WITH US YOUR “LOVE” PHOTO AT FACEBOOK.COM/BONITAESTEROMAGAZINE