Thank You

To the many, many Veterans who have served this great nation to preserve our freedoms and our way of life, I thank you!
To the many, many Veterans who gave their lives defending what this nation stands for, I thank you!
To the many, many Active Duty Military who continue, each day, to serve and protect us from all evil ~ foreign and domestic ~ I thank you!

Calvin Rider
Alfred J. Herrmann, Sr.
Alfonso Sellet
Salvatore Marinello
William Rider
James Rider
Alfred J. Herrmann, Jr.
Nicholas Rider
Robert Rider
Nicole Cyr
Lenny Miller
Kane Plate
Kevin Ferrero

And a multitude of others who are of lesser relations but no less dedicated to a higher calling ~
Thank You!

Good Morning!

Oh, isn't it wonderful?

That moment when you first wake up in the morning.
It is the most splendid moment of the day.
Not matter how weary you might feel, no matter the day's tasks,
you possess the knowledge that absolutely anything could happen.
Far too often we focus on worrying about what MIGHT happen.
Allow the possibilities . . . the positive . . . the pleasantries to fill you.
Be enriched with a Good Morning
and follow it up with a Dare-to-Believe Day!

Hero

A true hero, it is said, is not someone who thinks about doing what is right.
A true hero is one that simply does what is right without thinking!

There's a Ch-Angel friend of mine who goes by the name of Lenny.
If folks were in the dictionary with defining 'tag lines,' the above would be his!

Be a Hero!

Insulation

Electronic wires need the proper insulation for safety purposes.
Houses need the proper insulation to keep the cold out in winter and the heat out in summer.
What makes you any different?

You need to have the proper insulation to ensure your safety and comfort.

Surround yourself with folks who build you up; who comfort you; who push you in a positive way; who lead you with love and kindness; who support you; who strengthen and fortify you; who give you the opportunity to flourish; who listen; who care; who stand by you in good times and bad; who believe in you.

The folks that do any less than that, are not worth putting in your attic or wrapping around your wiring. Bad insulation costs you much, much more than a couple of dollars at the height of winter.

Envelope yourself with smiles and joy and friendship and laughter.
It is a beautiful conductor of peace, harmony, and inner strength!

Decisions, Decisions . . .

If you are lucky enough to wake up in the morning, you have a choice.
You can either make yourself miserable, or you can make yourself strong.
The amount of work is the same.
The choice is yours.
And remember this as well . . .
No matter the task, the trial, or tribulation . . .
The finish line is just the beginning of a whole new race.

So choose well and run, Forrest, run!

Will

Strength does not come from physical capacity.
It comes from an indomitable will.
Mind over matter.
If you don't mind, it don't matter.
What you believe, you can achieve.
You can accomplish anything you truly desire to accomplish.
Focus, prepare, take baby steps, or giant leaps, but always press forward.
Your will is an amazingly sturdy fiber of your being.

Let It Go

I have a dear friend who sent me a writing entitled, "Let It Go". It was written in reference to knowing what you can control and being ok with what you cannot. She gave it to me for one reason, but it has been wonderfully useful in a variety of other areas.

This weekend, I spent several days away from home.
It is always good to get away - no matter what you do - to switch things up and change your vantage point.
We took a cave tour, walked in the rain, drank really potent and bad beer, we stayed out way too late, we cheered on a favorite team with 84,000 of our closest friends, we danced, we sang, we walked and walked and walked, we spent time with our son, and we laughed.
It was such a wonderful time  ~  to let the things go that I cannot change or alter or fix.
It was so relaxing  ~  to not be worried about who is offended or how my words can be misconstrued.
It was beautiful  ~  to simple enjoy my surroundings.
It was cleansing to just detoxify my life. To sweep out the bad, mean, and ugly things and welcome in the beautiful, wondrous, and marvelous things.

If I was a doctor, I would whip out my prescription pad and write everyone a script:

Take a few days off and Let It Go!