Here we are at the end of a holiday weekend here in the U.S. Our short holiday before the Christmas and New Years celebrations. There were many of course that had to work but hopefully many were able to spend a small amount of time with their loved ones.
To be thankful for all that we have is something each of us around the world should be. Taking time to think of all that we do have and not concentrate on what we don't have. For me, I'm thankful for the huge generosity of those around me. Those that are close friends and those that are coworkers, the ones that supported a donation effort.
A little over two weeks ago, I started a donation drive for members of an Army Signal Company (U.S. Army), which is currently in Iraq. My son is a member of that group and we were taking donations of items for the entire group. Items that bring 'home' a little closer and items that just say thank you for all that they do.
There are many varying opinions about our presence in Iraq and I'm not here to debate it. I'm here to simply state that there are many people here at home that are generous in their giving. We collected over 600 lbs of goods including snack food, toiletries, games, magazines and other items. There was also an outpouring of a monetary amount which enabled us to purchase a flat screen TV and game equipment.
People that I never knew came forward to help in this effort. One such person was a lady name Lisa. Her husband had been a member of a motorcycle club that supported veterans and he had served in the military himself. He died in November of 2006 (non-military) and in memory of his love for fellow man, she gave in generous kindness.
It is this wonderful giving and thoughtfulness on her part which sends my heart soaring. She is an example of all those that give. Giving to others, supporting others in a generous manner. Take time to be thankful for what you have and then turn that into a giving act. Find a cause or a reason to help another.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Being Thankful
With the American holiday of Thanksgiving nearing, it is good to remember what this day is all about. On this day, people give thanks with feasting and prayer. The holiday is celebrated in the United States and Canada. Interesting enough, potatoes were note a part of the first celebration...Irish immigrants had not yet brought them to North America.
In America, the Pilgrims celebrated their first Thanksgiving in 1621 after the first harvest and are generally considered the founders of this holiday. These were the folks that settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts. But on December 4, 1619, a group of 38 English settlers had arrived at Berkeley Hundred, about 20 miles upstream from Jamestown, where the first permanent settlement of the Colony of Virginia was established on May 14, 1607.
This group stated that the day of arrival be observed yearly as a "day of thanksgiving" to God. On that first day, Captain John Woodleaf stated, "Wee ordaine that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually keept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty god."
Traditionally, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. Yet, the first North American Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1578 when the English Navigator, Martin Frobisher, held a formal ceremony in Newfoundland. He did this to give thanks for surviving the long sea journey, and other settlers arrived in Newfoundland, and the tradition was continued by them. This holiday is held on the second Monday in October in Canada.
Regardless of who was first or where it occurred, the point is to take time out of your busy schedule to be thankful for what you have. It isn't a day of rest before going out the next day and spending all of your money. Take the day to reflect on all of the goodness in your life.
“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.” -Oprah Winfrey
In America, the Pilgrims celebrated their first Thanksgiving in 1621 after the first harvest and are generally considered the founders of this holiday. These were the folks that settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts. But on December 4, 1619, a group of 38 English settlers had arrived at Berkeley Hundred, about 20 miles upstream from Jamestown, where the first permanent settlement of the Colony of Virginia was established on May 14, 1607.
This group stated that the day of arrival be observed yearly as a "day of thanksgiving" to God. On that first day, Captain John Woodleaf stated, "Wee ordaine that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually keept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty god."
Traditionally, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. Yet, the first North American Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1578 when the English Navigator, Martin Frobisher, held a formal ceremony in Newfoundland. He did this to give thanks for surviving the long sea journey, and other settlers arrived in Newfoundland, and the tradition was continued by them. This holiday is held on the second Monday in October in Canada.
Regardless of who was first or where it occurred, the point is to take time out of your busy schedule to be thankful for what you have. It isn't a day of rest before going out the next day and spending all of your money. Take the day to reflect on all of the goodness in your life.
“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.” -Oprah Winfrey
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
All For A Pair Of Pants
The story of a couple that were sued for $65 million dollars over a pair of pants - just unbelievable what can happen. Two pair of pants brought in for alteration, one pair completed on time and the other not quite ready. When the owner of the pants came back, he claimed they were not his.
When this customer wanted more than $1000 for the cost of a brand-new suit, the couple said no. The alteration was only $10.50...but the lawsuit was on. This couple won out in court through support of donations for lawyer fees which dragged on for more than two years.
Alas, the business was sold as the strain both financially and mentally wore them down. A couple put out of business, our society moves on all we can say is that issues get "overlawyered".
It is life throwing stuff at us that we just wouldn't expect. My hope is that the Chungs will recover both financially and personally. It is an enduring positive belief in themselves and in the goodness of others that will pull them to better times. When you find yourself in a tough spot, remember you're not alone. There are others that are suffering just as much if not more. You will get through the situation and move on.
Have faith and belief in others even with the oddity of a small number of people such as the Chungs encountered.
When this customer wanted more than $1000 for the cost of a brand-new suit, the couple said no. The alteration was only $10.50...but the lawsuit was on. This couple won out in court through support of donations for lawyer fees which dragged on for more than two years.
Alas, the business was sold as the strain both financially and mentally wore them down. A couple put out of business, our society moves on all we can say is that issues get "overlawyered".
It is life throwing stuff at us that we just wouldn't expect. My hope is that the Chungs will recover both financially and personally. It is an enduring positive belief in themselves and in the goodness of others that will pull them to better times. When you find yourself in a tough spot, remember you're not alone. There are others that are suffering just as much if not more. You will get through the situation and move on.
Have faith and belief in others even with the oddity of a small number of people such as the Chungs encountered.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Open Road To Change
Today I'd like to share an update from a friend of mine (Paul O'Connell) down in Lima, Peru.
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Hello Everyone,
Well it has happened..the website is up..yeehah..its been a long road, http://www.openroadmissions.com/. Check it out if you have not already. I will endeavour to update it regularly and keep you informed of what is going down here in Lima.
The latest big news is that the weather is getting warmer..big deal you may think..well it is..it has been grey and overcast since I arrived in July..did I mention cold and humid..a lethal combination..to say the least..but summer is fast approaching and what a difference it makes to ones outlook.
It is amazing how much more positive a sunny day can make you. Last weekend we did another medical outreach, it was a great time. I learned to take blood pressure readings and after about 30, one after the other, I think I developed high blood pressure myself !!!
I travelled up to a jungle city called Iquitos a few weeks ago and met up with a guy who started an orphanage for the street kids. This city is a major child prostitution center with many people travelling there just for that purpose...sickos. Anyway, this guy has done a great thing..it was inspiring to talk with him and hear the stories..amazing.
I will be heading back up to Iquitos this time for some well digging projects. It should be a good time providing a source of fresh water for villages in that area. OK I'd better get back to my Spanish homework. Hope to see you all in January. I would appreciate all your prayers and if you would like to help out financially..more power to you..click on the DONATE button at the bottom of the website...hasta luego. Paul
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One person in life, each person in life, making a difference in big and little ways around this world. Please consider helping out my friend with your donation. Make a change in some one's life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hello Everyone,
Well it has happened..the website is up..yeehah..its been a long road, http://www.openroadmissions.com/. Check it out if you have not already. I will endeavour to update it regularly and keep you informed of what is going down here in Lima.
The latest big news is that the weather is getting warmer..big deal you may think..well it is..it has been grey and overcast since I arrived in July..did I mention cold and humid..a lethal combination..to say the least..but summer is fast approaching and what a difference it makes to ones outlook.
It is amazing how much more positive a sunny day can make you. Last weekend we did another medical outreach, it was a great time. I learned to take blood pressure readings and after about 30, one after the other, I think I developed high blood pressure myself !!!
I travelled up to a jungle city called Iquitos a few weeks ago and met up with a guy who started an orphanage for the street kids. This city is a major child prostitution center with many people travelling there just for that purpose...sickos. Anyway, this guy has done a great thing..it was inspiring to talk with him and hear the stories..amazing.
I will be heading back up to Iquitos this time for some well digging projects. It should be a good time providing a source of fresh water for villages in that area. OK I'd better get back to my Spanish homework. Hope to see you all in January. I would appreciate all your prayers and if you would like to help out financially..more power to you..click on the DONATE button at the bottom of the website...hasta luego. Paul
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One person in life, each person in life, making a difference in big and little ways around this world. Please consider helping out my friend with your donation. Make a change in some one's life.
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