Choosing a Life of Thankfulness

Choosing a Life of Thankfulness

Belinda @ Kids Matter

“Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion. Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception. Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude. Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road.” ― John Henry Jowett

Who, among us, can fathom November without triggering a reminder of being thankful? Not those humble and appreciative souls who trudge through the day to day festivities of life and spend 365 days a year being thankful. Yet some others choose the 30 days that make November to express thankfulness. Sadly, there are still others who choose to use only one day, Thanksgiving, to be appreciative of those around them, what they have, and who they are. This is a personal choice we must all make. We can be appreciative 365 days, 30 days, or one day a year; but, I ask you… what void does the remaining 335 or 364 days create in you? Are you fulfilled in life, by life? Does each sunrise offer new opportunities and each sunset endless possibilities? Does the rain just cleanse the Earth and water the grass or does it purify the life that sustains you? Does the 4:00pm shadow over take and suffocate you or does the noon day sun light you within? Your perception of the life you lead can be changed in the blink of an eye. Outside forces come and go, leaving footprints deep within us. Yet, each day our eyes open, our feet hit the floor, our lungs fill with air, and we step into a new day.  

Life isn’t all about what’s given to you. Life is about living and appreciating everything, every being, sight, smell, light, and darkness. Be thankful for everything and everyone. Life is about realizing there must always be hope, faith, courage, and perseverance. Distance is a measure, not a metaphor, for life. Don’t separate yourself from the people in life who love you and are thankful for you. Realize that time passes quickly, except while you wait. Tomorrow comes because it’s an opportunity. Night falls because the body needs replenishing.  Being thankful happens because we realize that without what we have, who we have, and who we are, tomorrow means nothing. Your life is far greater than nothing. Be thankful every minute of every day because you are important and life is worth living to your fullest potential.

Long ago, there was a label on VHS tapes that read, “Be kind. Rewind.” I say, be kind, unwind. Give yourself time to relax and recall all those wonderful things you have in your life for which you are thankful. Without taking that moment, each day, life can overcome us. We can forget to be thankful. We can even begin to believe there is nothing to be thankful for. Stop! Breathe! As the air fills your lungs, be thankful.

Today, I am thankful for you. You took a moment out of your day to read this and to me that’s something for which to be thankful. As you venture through the rest of your day, make it a challenge to think about all the words you can use to complete this sentence… Today, I am thankful for _______________ because it brought ____________ to my day. Make this a daily challenge and feel the difference it can make in your life. What else can you do to increase the number of days you are thankful each year? Challenge yourself to delight in and be thankful for all that you have and all that you are… every day! Show your appreciation! Wear your thankfulness in the smile on your face.  Show it in hugs to those you love. Don’t be afraid to express it any way you can. It’s always good to know you are appreciated. A simple “thank you” may just be the ray of sunshine to clear a cloudy day.

Veteran’s Day 2013

Veteran’s Day 2013

Belinda @ Kids Matter

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" ~ President Wilson

Originating as Armistice Day, November 11, 1919, Veteran’s Day is, “A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good” as per The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs. This national holiday is not only a tribute to our fallen soldiers who paid with their lives for the freedoms we, as U.S. citizens, are afforded, but also the superior men and women who have chosen a life of honor and selflessness for which their lives are on the block in order to protect ours. These self-sacrificing service personnel are put through rigorous training every day in order to keep them prepared and motivated for the protection of our country. They endure sleepless nights, harsh weather, and intensive conditioning of which, if you aren’t a soldier, you could not possibly fathom. They see and experience tragedy that a civilian would never comprehend. These men and women have such a great respect for authority and chain of command that in return, they deserve the same. 

Men and women of the military (past, present, and future) be it Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard (fallen, retired, or active duty) deserve and command respect and appreciation from all of us. It doesn’t matter if you agree with the political factors involved in the military actions. What matters is that these service personnel are ready, able, and willing to give their lives to protect and serve YOU! It doesn’t matter one iota if these soldiers are on full-time active duty, Reserves, or National Guard. Each serves this country in a way that non-service people can only imagine. They are the top quality, front lines, of our country! They are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, sons, daughters and friends. They protect us at home and abroad, near to our hearts yet far away. 

At this time I would like to take this opportunity to present a heartfelt thank you to my own friends and family who are or have served this country proudly.

Words can never express the respect and admiration I have for my son-in-law, Mason, who proudly represents the Army. Thank you! To my brother, Allen, and friend Dave, who boldly and bravely served our country through the Air Force, thank you! To Army Vets John (step-dad), Mike (brother), and Kim (friend and co-worker), thank you for your patronage and the services you contributed to our great nation. To my father-in-law, Gerald, brother-in-law, Jeff, and Uncle John, for the protection and services you provided through the Navy, thank you. In remembrance and honor of those passed; my Grandpa John, step-dad, Jimmy (Army), and Uncle Roger (Navy). Respectfully, I would also like to acknowledge and say thank you to all the military wives, husbands, and family members who support their soldier every breath; every minute of every day!

To all soldiers, on this Veteran’s Day, we salute you with a Bravo Zulu OORAH HOOAH HOOYAH and a sincere THANK YOU!!

If you would like to thank a soldier please see the information below. Don’t wait until Veteran’s Day 2014! There is no time like the present to say THANK YOU!

·         Write a letter or send a card to the service member.

·         Send a care package: through someone you know … the USO (https://www.uso.org/Donate_Operation_USO_Care_Package.aspx), 

Any Soldier (http://www.anysoldier.com/index.cfm), or Give 2 The Troops (http://www.give2thetroops.org/)

·         Send a handmade craft item such as a bracelet or a scarf.

·         Pray for them.

·         Thank a family member of the spouse who is here in the U.S.

Proudly display and honor the American Flag.