Tag Archive for Day

Honoring Our Military

May 17, 2019 Comments Off on Honoring Our Military

Tomorrow is Armed Forces Day. President Harry S. Truman ushered in this day in which we recognize and honor the military women and men who have, do, and will protect our country and way of life. The observance became official on Aug. 31, 1949, replacing days honoring the different branches of the service now that they were all combined under the Dept. of Defense.

Let’s stop and think what these people and their families give up for us and express our gratitude in some small way. “Thank you for your service” has become an automatic response, often with little or no feeling behind it. Say or do something different. Buy a current or ex military person a cup of coffee, visit their family and help with household repairs, or take care of their kids while the parents have a “date night.” I’m sure you’ll think of something that will let them know how much you appreciate them.

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I’m Feeling Earthy

April 22, 2019 Comments Off on I’m Feeling Earthy

April is a very earthy month, with Earth Day (today) and National Arbor Day (Friday the 26th).  PLUS, we’re in the midst of the season of renewed life, Easter.  It’s a marvelous time to think about what we can do for our home, the Earth.  No room in your yard for another tree?  In my area we have Our City Forest—you probably have such an organization in your area, too.  Sign up with them to help with planting projects in your city.  Stroll along the banks of a local river, lake, or pond, carrying tools to pick up trash.  Spend time around your home, building a birdhouse, creating a habitat in that unused corner of the yard, or planting non-thirsty plants.  Take your family to an Earth Day event, or follow up on an eco-activity you learned when attending one.  This month, begin a new habit: at least once a day get out of the house and smell the roses and the fresh air, listen to bird-songs, feel cool clean lake water on your toes, bite into a mouth-pleasing, messy orange, watch cloud-swans glide through clear, blue skies.  Then, determine to keep all these available for future generations.

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It’s All About YOU

March 22, 2019 Comments Off on It’s All About YOU

Did you miss it yesterday? World Poetry Day. Yes, it’s an actual declared day, celebrated on March 21 each year. Back in 1999, UNESCO
(the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) started it, with the intent of encouraging people to read, write, publish, and teach poetry throughout the world.

Why?! Poetry is hard to understand and doesn’t relate to me!


Wrong. Poetry tells the stories of our lives–the good time, bad times, inspired moments, deep-in-despair moments–all that makes us human. We see ourselves, whether in a phrase or in the whole poem. In other words, it isn’t a bunch of sing-songy, forced-to-rhyme lines (not true poetry) but statements (rhyming or not) that remind us of our shared human experience.

It’s not too late to celebrate it. In fact, I invite you to download, at no cost (yes, free) my book of poetry, God Sneezed. You can find it at your favorite e-book seller, or just click this link:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=god+sneezed . I’m sure you’ll find something there that reminds you of you.

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To Women Everywhere

March 8, 2019 Comments Off on To Women Everywhere

Happy International Women’s Day to all my female friends. Let’s be extra kind to all of our sisters today.

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MLK Day–for Children

January 21, 2019 Comments Off on MLK Day–for Children

Today is Martin Luther King., Jr. Day. What’s important is to focus on what he stood for: peace, equality, and justice.

Let’s start with our children. Encourage them to talk instead of fighting when they find themselves in uncomfortable situations. Ask if they’ve been picked on or have seen other children being picked on, and explore the topic of bullying. When a child does something that physically or emotionally harms another child, get him to put himself in that child’s place to experience what she feels, and decide together what positive action, not punishment, is appropriate to heal the situation.

Read children’s books together featuring a person of another culture and talk about the similarities between the character’s life and their life. Engage them in a game that involves taking turns and sharing, adding a penalty rule for arguing and bonus points for compromising and working out differences.

n short, help your kids think and act in ways that help bring about the world MLK worked toward–one of peace and compassion.

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A Day to Celebrate Being Human

December 10, 2018 Comments Off on A Day to Celebrate Being Human

Seventy years ago today, in 1948, the U.N. adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That’s pretty good–that many countries agreeing on something. With all the burnings and shootings of people in various houses of worship, with all the greed reflected on corporations taking naturally occurring water to bottle or polluting it, all for profit , leaving the local inhabitants to go to war over what’s left, with the inequities in justice systems ensuring that the poor will live in jail and the rich will buy their way out, with human slavery and degradation–what this declaration means should be taken to heart:

  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights empowers us all.
  • Human rights are relevant to all of us, every day.
  • Our shared humanity is rooted in these universal values.
  • Equality, justice and freedom prevent violence and sustain peace.
  • Whenever and wherever humanity’s values are abandoned, we all are at greater risk.
  • We need to stand up for our rights and those of others.

Something worth thinking about today and practicing every day.

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Let Me Express My Gratitude

September 21, 2018 Comments Off on Let Me Express My Gratitude

It started at an international gathering in Hawaii in 1965, this excellent idea. Those wise people thought that taking even one day a year to really think about what we’re grateful for is a healthy thing that would enhance our well-being and make us more content and happier. It’s a day off from focusing on our troubles and the bad things that happen to us and instead looking at all the little things–and people–that enrich our lives.

You, my readers, are part of what I give thanks for today.

Happy World Gratitude Day!

 

 

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Pirating a Birth Day

September 19, 2018 Comments Off on Pirating a Birth Day
Since today is my birthday, I was curious if maybe today wasn’t also a “National” or “Annual” day of celebration that I might participate in. I didn’t expect it to be International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Because I write a blog and edit people’s precious manuscripts, resumes, and Doctoral dissertations, I didn’t think it was such a good idea for me.  But it might be fun to try some year.
Here’s a   description of the day: “International Talk Like A Pirate Day is a parody holiday annually held on September 19. Celebrated for the first time in 1995, the fun holiday encourages people to talk and dress like the sea plunderers of yesteryears.” You can learn more about the day (and maybe be inspired to join in the fun) by going to Fun Holiday — International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Ahoy, Matey!

 

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An Idea for Labor Day Weekend and Beyond

August 31, 2018 Comments Off on An Idea for Labor Day Weekend and Beyond

Labor Day weekend…a few days to relax as summer comes to a close. Here’s something to think about as you relax.

Labor of all types should be respected and honored on Labor Day and always. Even if it’s done so often in front of our eyes that we no longer notice or acknowledge it. Think about it. Do you really see the work your family members do in your home? In your household, who does the cooking, cleaning, laundry, lawn-mowing, car repairs, or bill-paying? Who acts as general contractor, arranging for needed repairs around the home and yard? Who shoulders most of the daily responsibility for child-rearing, including teaching the children morality, consideration for others, faith, honesty, and other attributes that will mold them into caring, productive adults? Who helps them with homework? Do the children do assigned chores–or sometimes just because they choose to help? Take a moment to notice the work being done around you daily and say thank you to the family member doing it. Your little gesture of appreciation honors labor itself as well as your loved one performing it.

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Is There An Important Senior in Your Life?

August 21, 2018 Comments Off on Is There An Important Senior in Your Life?

Summer can be lonely for older people, especially those who live alone or in nursing homes or senior centers.  It’s a time when families go to the beach or festivals, have friends over for BBQs, and take day-trips.  Often a senior will hear about these activities from their family members or from others in their living facility.  But they’re seldom invited to join in.  This summer, invite Grandpa or Great-Aunt Agnes along on some of your activities.  If they aren’t able to participate, plan some of your activities around them.  Go to the senior center and play cards or board games with your loved one and others whose company she enjoys.  Bring ice cream and cookies to his home and spend the evening.  Take her outside under a shade tree and help her organize or redo her address book.  Bring that box of loose family photos that have been passed along over the generations and ask him to identify the people and tell you about them.  How to make a happy summer for your loved one: just spend some quality time together.

By the way,today is National Senior Citizens Day. Is there someone in your life you should call or visit today?

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