Hey, guess what? Fall is here! Last week in Southern California, it still felt like summer with temperatures in the 90s, but now it’s finally cooler, and the leaves are changing colors after some rain. I had an awesome time visiting family and friends, some of whom I’ve known for a whopping 51 years. Can you believe it?

Show of hands, who has friends that have been around for ages? It’s pretty cool, right? Long-lasting friendships are fantastic because they show loyalty, determination, and sticking with each other. It’s like a journey filled with love, peace, beauty, trust respect, and celebrations. Pretty much absent any drama, and rarely the need to forgive, and when we do, we leave it behind us, bury it, and then forget it.

Speaking of journeys, I’ve read Chapter 8 of Og Mandino’s book 51 times. Crazy, right? The idea of keeping your appointments came to me during one of my quiet moments earlier this week. What are your life appointments? They’re like the things meant for your life’s journey. Sometimes we notice them, sometimes we don’t.

Think about the times you’ve kept those important appointments that changed your life. It’s like a fast track to personal growth. But if you miss them, you might slow down and miss out on great opportunities. That’s probably why some people achieve more or have lasting relationships—they keep their appointments.

Most of these appointments are lessons that make us better every day. Imagine waking up wiser and more experienced each morning. Keep your appointments, and understand the importance of what’s happening in your life, and I believe you’ll evolve at a quicker pace.

By paying attention to what’s happening and whenever you can, learn from every situation. Even unpleasant thoughts can teach you something. Courage, power, and confidence are buddies, while fear and gloom go hand in hand. When you sit still for 15 minutes, you might discover that deep-down place where your truth resides. Everyone knows this place—it’s where you say, “I knew it deep down.”

Don’t act like you don’t know things. You have your truth and your answers. Seek counsel from that deep-down place instead of saying, “I don’t know.” Practice telling yourself, “I may not feel like I know right now, but deep down, there’s a place in me that does know.” Trust that inner wisdom without doubting.

Thursday is here, and I’m happy to spend it with someone I love. The sun is shining, and the clouds have cleared. I’m grateful for rain, snow, the wind, and whatever life throws my way because I have faith that it knows what it’s doing. Stay grateful, and make it a good day!