Today's real meaning

The scene is repeated over and over at National Cemeteries all across the country.  Soldiers move from grave to grave, pausing to place an American flag at the final resting place of these men and women we honor today.  This holiday, Memorial Day is the day for remembering the men and women who died while serving. It is not about the barbeques or the sidewalk sales or the trips to the beach or the baseball games, as nice as any of those things are.  It isn't even a day for honoring all veterans.  (We have a separate holiday for that in November). There seems to always be a bit of confusion, and I have written here about this a number of times. Today is quite specific though. It is for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces.

Memorial Day wasn't the original name. It was called Decoration Day back when Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a poem by that name back in 1882. It was also once called Remembrance Day in some places.

 

Band concerts and parades a typical ways to celebrate.  Religious services praying for those who died in service generally happen on this day as well, and of course visits to cemetaries.  Even if you include a baseball game, a picnic, or a visit to the beach, take some time today to also remember all those who served in our military and who didn't make it home alive.  It is their memory we honor today.

Spreading out the love

Sunday is Mothers Day in the US and some other parts of the world. I'll be thinking of my mom, as I do just about every day, and I hope you will be thinking about yours, whether she is living or deceased.

Some folks don't have good relationships with their mothers, but if that is the case, take a moment to think of her anyway. Is there anything you can do to improve the relationship? It seems that Mothers Day would be an excellent day to begin.

I'm sure there will be huge crowds at restaurants on Sunday, especially at the ones doing something for the moms. Cards, and gifts, and sometimes even breakfast in bed - all kinds of attention. How wonderful, huh? What has always bothered me though is when all the attention is focused on one day. The same is true for birthdays, anniversaries, and many other occasions. There will be lots of celebrating on that one day, and the rest of the time a person might be virtually ignored. Wouldn't it be nice if Mom got a little more attention at other times of the year.

I have a friend who lives far from her mother and they only see each other a few times a year, but every single Saturday there is a telephone conversation. They both set aside time on that one day to connect with each other.

Spreading out the love throughout the year is a good goal to have not only for our mothers, but for other relatives and friends as well. Make regular lunch dates, or phone time, or share activities at random times all through your life!

Toan's TruthDare

There have been at least a dozen times that I have written here about Toan Lam, and I suspect there will be many more.  Over the years I have been fortunate to met many incredible people, but I would have to say that Toan is that the top of that list. 

 

Last year he launched the TruthDare podcast, a series of intimate conversations with some really intriguing people.  It's upbeat and full of some great stories.  I urge you to check it out at http://truthdaretalk.com/

 

You probably also know Toan from Go Inspire Go where he recently wrote a love letter to himself (click HERE to be filled with this inspiration) and where you can also read about community heroes and see so many amazing stories.  Toan is an expert and finding those special people who do amazing things.  I suppose that's because he is pretty amazing himself!

 

He came to this country from Vietnam, as a toddler and grew up in a crowded trailer.  Certainly his early years were not easy years for his family, but nothing stops him.  Whether a walk on the beach or through empty streets at dawn or a visit to an antique shop, Toan can see beauty and he expresses it so well for everyone to see it too.  I know my life is fuller because Toan Lam came my way!

 

If this is your first time hearing about him, by all means find out more.  You can look back to things I have written here, and much easier, you can go to http://goinspirego.com/

Stephen Hawking made us think

"In a world that is in chaos politically, socially and environmentally, how can the human race sustain another 100 years?"  Stephen Hawking asked us that question twelve years ago.  He followed up by saying "I don't know the answer. That is why I asked the question, to get people to think about it, and to be aware of the dangers we now face."

That is one of the things I will always remember about this remarkable man - he made us think.  He did it despite the obstacles that were present in his own life.  In 1963 he was given two years to live, when he contracted motor neurone disease.  Not only did he prove the doctors wrong, but he went on proving things for the next fifty five years.  His discoveries, his books, and certainly his awards, would be too numerous to list here, but we can certainly say his life was full.

I wonder how many people went into science because of him.  "It surprises me how disinterested we are today about things like physics, space, the universe and philosophy of our existence, our purpose, our final destination," Hawking said.  "Its a crazy world out there. Be curious."  He certainly inspired me.

The famous theoretical physicist who appeared on The Simpsons and The Big Bang Theory, passed away early this morning.  All day long I expect that people will be singing his praises.  I've said before that heroes are not all the same, and Stephen Hawking most certainly was not what you might expect, but he was a hero.  Now, he's with the stars.

Heroes at the Games

The XXIII Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea have come to a close.  Did you watch?  Were you impressed?  Inspired?  Did you see any heroes at the Games?

What I think is a hero and what you think is a hero, might not be the same thing, but folks do tend to look up to sports figures for a variety of reasons.  Over the years I have certainly been impressed by the great skill of the participants.  Not just anybody wins a medal after all.  At this Olympics though it wasn't just about the competition.  I was impressed by a number of people for other reasons.

Openly gay Olympic athletes is something new and being the first can take courage.  Network television captured a celebratory kiss between an athlete and his boyfriend - yes, HIS boyfriend.  There was a lot of talk about that moment because it wasn't the usual Olympic moment, but there wasn't a lot of negative talk.  Perhaps a sign that the world is becoming more progressive.  Someday being a gay Olympian will be no big deal.

There were other participants who stood up and spoke the truth.  We take note of that.  Good only comes when good people stand up and make a difference.  You don't need to earn a medal for that.  Sometimes you just have to be your true self.

More? Yup!

Despite the natural disasters, the political disappointments, the mass shootings, the worry about nuclear war, and so many other distressing things last year, there was also a lot of good, as I have been saying.  Not enough good?  Well we can work on that.  It is in our hands, after all.

The human chain was helpful a number of times this year.  In Panama City Beach in Florida, ten people were hit by powerful rip currents and before firefighters or police were onscene, a number of beach-goers joined together and stretched from the sand to the swimmers in peril, and rescued them.  I saw similar heroism after some of the hurricanes last year.

It didn't make the news, but I was invited to a holiday party a week before Christmas, by a woman who provided most of the food, entertainment, and gifts for everyone (actually multiple gifts for most).  There was also a young woman in Greenock, Scotland that you might have heard about.  She threw an even bigger party which included Christmas dinner (a three-course meal) for sixty total strangers!  She had gifts for everyone too.  Of course good news is a bit more common during the holidays, but if you look back at the mentions from the past three days, you will see a number of positive events from throughout the year.

There are many more example too.  I'll try to tell you about more of those positive, uplifting stories that happen, and I invite you to tip me off whenever you hear of something.  My old friend Wes Nisker used to say at the end of his reports on the radio, "If you don't like the news .  .  . go out and make some of your own."  Indeed.  If you want to see a better world, make a difference.  Be a hero!

2017 in the news

As I pointed out the past two mornings, good things did indeed happen in 2017, despite all the bad we remember.  Just about every time I turned on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, I saw a heartwarming story, and Ellen herself continued showing us the way of kindness.

I also discovered Barn Sanctuary, Dan McKernan's incredible organization that  rescues, rehabilitates, and cares for farm animal refugees.  I love watching the updates from them and seeing the animals in a loving and caring environment. 

Marriage equality became a reality for folks in Taiwan when that nation became the first Asian country to legalize marriage for same-sex couples.  Five additional governments around the world did the same: Slovenia, Germany, Malta, Austria and Australia.

Some people have seemingly moved past gender identity bias because in 2017 Danica Roem became the first trans woman to be elected in the United States.  Another huge win for equality as she won a seat in Virginia’s House of Delegates.

My friend Toan Lam didn't disappoint us at all as once again he gave us a year full of uplifting news stories.  His GoInspireGo is truly the place to go whenever you think there is too much negativity in the news.  He shows us the heroes - the folks who make a difference.

Of course all of you probably encountered some positive things in the years just ended too.  You are always welcome to share stories with us in the comments section below.  Happy New Year everyone!  Stay positive, and don't let the bad news get you down.