May I ask a question? Whatever happened to the month of January? Did it disappear into warp speed? If time is truly moving as quickly as it appears then we have none of it to waste. Especially on things that are not important. So as we walk into this new month let us walk into a renewed diligence and focus that takes us to a higher level of positive progress.

While embracing the month of candy, flowers, cards, and love let’s see what this month has in store…

The four holidays everyone has foremost in their minds this month are Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, and Presidents’ Day. In this consortium of celebrations are 264 special days of awareness and observances in the shortest month of the year! You couldn’t make all of those events if you wanted to. So you’ll just have to eat through those tasty dark chocolate brownies precariously—not eating them add but only a select few. This entire month is American Heart Month, Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month, National Women Inventors Month, National Library Lovers Month, Black History Month, National Cancer Prevention Month, International Friendship Month, National Bake For Family Fun Month, and National Weddings Month just to name a few. For the complete list please don’t hesitate to take a taste of that brownie sundae.

For those who are eco-fresh, today kicks off Bike To Work Month. and is also National Dark Chocolate Day! You food connoisseurs have February 5 as World Nutella Day, February 6 as National Frozen Yogurt Day, February 16 as National Almond Day, and February 27 as National Protein Day. For the music lovers…February 2 is National Ukulele Day, February 3 is The Day the Music Died, and February 11 is National Guitar Day. We, writers and readers, have to pay homage to Daniel Defoe on Robinson Crusoe Day which we also celebrate today. With Valentine’s Day only two weeks away don’t forget the cards, candies, flowers, packages in the mail, or those surprises. Whatever you do please don’t wait until the last minute—big mistake! Whenever we rush we always forget something. It pays to be prepared.

No matter the celebration let us not forget National Freedom Day which we also celebrate today and Four Chaplains Day on February 3 commemorating the four Army chaplains who acted in the spirit of heroic sacrifice and humanitarianism onboard the sinking U.S.A.T. Dorchester. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13 NKJV) So as we celebrate National Freedom Day let us humbly and somberly remember that this country’s freedom does not come for free.

A little February trivia. Did you know? February 1, 1865, was the day President Abraham Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. This is why we celebrate National Freedom Day.

Father God, in this month of February, we ask for Your strength to persevere in all that we do. Whether faced with challenges or opportunities, may we approach them with courage, wisdom, and reliance on Your grace. In Jesus’ name.

Happy New Month and best wishes to you all. Blessings and Peace!