Sometimes, a person just needs to sit back and relax and take a break. Tramp and I are taking time to ‘smell the roses’ with special friends and family this week; but wanted to let all my blogger friends know that I am thinking about you today.
Hope your day is special too.
You Matter!
Smiles,
Nancy
Thanksgiving was first observed by the Pilgrims after they had survived a very difficult winter after landing in this country at a time when it was too late in the season and too cold to plant crops. By the following fall season, their crops were bountiful and they celebrated with a huge feast.
What happened to that joyful celebration? It seems there is more advertisement about Black Friday than there is Turkey Day (or Tofurky Day if your Vegan). Granted we have not endured such a struggle as the poor Pilgrims; but we have endured a struggle of times in our economy and why not take time to do a little celebrating. And even better….take time to give thanks!
Monday Gets Supportive of Thanksgiving Day
What are you thankful for? It’s Happy List Time Again!! That’s right. Sit down and stop your crazy world just for a moment to make a list of all the things that you feel you can be thankful for in this world. Everyone should really have a minimum of 50 things on their list and most should easily top a couple hundred. That’s right!! I said a couple hundred things to be thankful for today. What’s wrong with you? Are you blind? Look around you and open your eyes to all the beauty and wonderful things around you.
There are places where there is fighting going on continuously, day in and day out, and places where people are hungry and suffering, and other places where the very best one will every experience is a small little one room shack with dirt floors. How can we not feel thankful?!! How can we not think of stopping this crazy world for just ONE day to sit with friends and family and take the moment to appreciate all our blessings.
I know everyone likes a good bargain, but does the infamous Black Friday have to become such a focus for this week. It really should just be one of those “maybe I’ll see what the stores have to offer” experience rather than a huge circled day on the calendar. I’ve worked retail during that time and it is a real zoo. Some people have fun and they are there with friends or family having a good time after sharing a big family meal together. However, many are rude, angry, and will stop at nothing to get the items they have decided they deserve for this holiday shopping extravaganza. They can turn a table of freshly stacked clothes into an unruly, twisted mesh of fabric in less than 10 seconds! Sometimes, it seemed they really didn’t even have a thought of purchasing from the stack, but just couldn’t help themselves in tackling the pile with their violent outbreak. And look out if the store happens to run out of an item!! I think some would lie down in front of the door until you had the item personally delivered to them and it better be there in 5 seconds max. I’d like to think that most are just out trying to save a little money or get a head start on their Christmas list, but at least you could be nice to other people while you’re doing it.
So what are you thankful for?
And are you going to enjoy this Thursday with some of your family or maybe some really great friends?
Before you dive into your feast and stuff yourself until you feel you are going to explode, how about you just take a moment for everyone around the table to express a few things that they feel are blessings in their lives.
It doesn’t have to be anything dramatic or sensational….some times it’s the little things that leave us feeling the most thankful and joyful.
Be sure to not let the moment pass to let someone know how much they matter to you too. Thanksgiving is a good time to show your appreciation for the special ones in your life who have helped you along the way.
I feel very blessed this year to be spending the day with my sweet son. I’m looking forward to catching up on a few weeks of missed time.
I want you all to know that You Matter. You can make a difference in this world by just appreciating the beautiful people and things around you.
So Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.
I hope Thursday is a very special day for you. Make it happen!
Smiles,
Nancy
Today is the observance of Veterans Day. A day to show honor and respect and appreciation for those who have served in the armed forces protecting our good ole US of A!!! Veterans Day also marks the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)
We are lucky to live in a country with so many freedoms and so many choices. On the heels of the presidential election, it seems even more pronounced in its symbolism of freedom. Some may not be happy with the current presidential candidate…but you did have the freedom to vote and make your own personal choice.
Monday Gets Patriotic
Happy Veterans Day, Dear Neighbors
There are ways to remind others to be proud of their American homeland. My little walkway of flags was a small showing of that. I just wanted to give a subtle reminder for us to stop to think how lucky we are to have a flag that represents such amazing possibilities of what we are able to aspire to be. Each and every one of us can decide what goals we want to meet and then have a plethora of opportunities to make all those dreams come true.
Sometimes we might feel we have not been given a fair deal (particularly, any Romney voters right now); but also with freedom we must learn compromise and understanding. We can’t all have our own way at every possible moment. What doesn’t seem fair to some becomes huge victories and opportunities to do good things for others. The key is to stay united and find ways to work together for the good of all. “Division of troops” is not good in the military forces and it’s not good in government….Period!!
I would like to also take a moment to honor the men and women who have given their lives in battle for this country. I can’t imagine what it must be like to lose a family member while they are fighting on other lands to protect our freedom here.
God Bless America!
The United States seems to make great effort to build tributes to those that have lost their lives in combat; but it is such a small token for the huge price that is paid.
Vietnam Memorial Wall–Washington, D.C.
So today, take the time to thank those that you know that are serving our country now or have served in previous times.
Shake their hand, salute them or maybe just give them a big hug.
Let them know that you are proud of them and appreciate their dedication and hard work.
Maybe knock on the door of a wife or mother that is struggling to fill the void of the loss of the head of their household while they are in some other country and who has been gone for months now. Give them a little boost in their day…..they are also “serving” our country by their unselfish support of our troops.
Stand tall…Stand proud.
We are Americans and we are very lucky to live in this country.
Don’t take your freedoms lightly AND don’t abuse them either…..many Americans have
given their lives to keep us safe and free! Show your honor and respect for them.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America!
You Matter America!
Smiles, Nancy….born in the USA
There are so many things happening in our country that seem to tax one’s political side to the max. The Presidential Election! Wow! There’s a lot to take into consideration. It would be great if we had two really outstanding candidates; but unfortunately, it just seems we are voting for the lesser of two evils. I know that just “raised the hair on the back of your neck” for some; but I just think everyone is trying to rationalize and stretch the positive points.
What happened to the truth in politics….or was that ever a possibility? Why does everyone have to skirt the issues? Why can’t they just ‘say it like it is’?!!
MONDAY GETS POLITICAL….or NOT
Don’t you think it would be wonderful to have someone stand up in front of the nation and say….”Hey, I’m not perfect and I don’t have all the answers, but I am going to try my very best to get the job done. I’ve got a great team behind me and if I don’t know something, you can be assured my staff is going to work to find all the details to inform me about the issue so I can make the very best decision.” And…then actually do that!! Instead…they skirt the issues, lie when they feel it might slip by and rarely just say “I don’t know!”
There’s so much diversity in all areas in our country right now. There are people who will fight to the end to honor and protect our country….and there are those who find it appropriate to picket a funeral of a family who have just lost a son or husband fighting for our nation. There is complete destruction on the East Coast from Hurricane Sandy and then there are areas that seem almost immune to anything except blue skies and balmy breezes today. Gas prices dropping by at least a dollar a gallon in California….and little gas available in New York/New Jersey. But, everyone, no matter what their circumstances, is looking for some balance, some certainty, some kept promises…..some hope. Wouldn’t it be great if tomorrow’s election provided that?!!
Some people that read this Blog aren’t from the United States. I wonder what they think about all the debates that have gone on between the candidates. I wonder if it seems very appropriate and common or rather sounds like a bunch of whining kids who are trying to get their way!!
I guess it could always be worse. We could have no freedom, no choices, no right to vote. We could be living in war zones and fearing for our lives every moment of the day. I just think we sometimes take what we have for granted and some take advantage of the freedoms we are given.
So for this new reign of the elected officials of our country….whomever it might be….
I wish for some forward movement of resolving some of the issues of healthcare and national debt and unemployment and an overall struggling nation.
I wish for the citizens of this country to be able to feel they are being represented and supported by candidates who are sincere in their efforts and follow through on all their promises.
I wish the candidates that are elected are true to their word and can see the struggles of many and fight to make changes, so some of the suffering can end.
And….I wish for this Monday to indeed be the start of something new and exciting. Wouldn’t it be nice to get back that American spirit and everyone be able to feel proud to be an American. I think we have lost a little of that.
So remember to vote tomorrow
and choose your candidates wisely.
Let’s hope brighter days and good times are just around the corner.
Onward and Forward!
Smiles, Nancy
juststartwithmonday 