Words of Affirmation

Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die. ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

The eloquent man is he who is no beautiful speaker, but who is inwardly and desperately drunk with a certain belief. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

The creative person is both more primitive and more cultivated, more destructive, a lot madder and a lot saner, than the average person. ~Frank Barron, Think, November-December 1962

 

Be like the bird that, passing on her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings. ~Victor Hugo

 

Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand and Stars, 1939, translated from French by Lewis Galantière

 

Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. ~Attributed to Howard Thurman

 

If a thousand old beliefs were ruined in our march to truth we must still march on. ~Stopford Brooke

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have a wonderful week my friends! If you stumble - come back, see the pictures and read the inspiring quotes. 99% of our success is in our attitude. :-)

What it means to be an American - Part 1

What is the essence of America? Finding and maintaining that perfect, delicate balance between freedom "to" and freedom "from."

~Marilyn vos Savant, in Parade

As much as I talk about cultural differences, and what is right and wrong with the world - the most important thing that defines who I am and how I think is the simple fact that I am a citizen of the United States of America.

Yes, this young lady can, from time to time, be a bit patriotic. How could I not be? I live in one of the most amazing countries in the world! In just a short amount of time (compared to the rest of the world) this one country has shaped, chartered and set the pace for the rest of the modern world. Put aside your personal feelings - what the American people have accomplished is really mind boggling.

I thought I would explain to my non-American friends (and they are a-plenty) a little bit about this great country! Just like the quote above - the good and the bad of it all is that I have the freedom to express myself - and I have the right to be protected from those who might stifle my voice.

I thank God daily I was born in this great country. I celebrate this Independence Day (on Sunday) with some visual images of what make one feel patriotic.

To my muslim/arab family members across the ocean - watch the videos with an open mind. Know this is how most of us see our beautiful country. Enjoy the images, listen to lyrics, feel the hope. Because in the end - Americans carry hope in their hearts - and that, above all things - is what has kept this country strong.

** please open each video separately to see the full screen, if needed.

If you are interested in learning the story behind the Star Spangled Banner (our nation's anthem) - please check out this site.

Now - just what are we celebrating? Here is a little lesson - in 5 minutes!


Amazing dreams can come true!!





Response to crisis is swift - and we come together as one great nation:




My brave, strong grandfather fought for the world's freedom from dictatorship in this great war:


My father served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.




To all of the men and women who work hard and risk their lives, so that when I go to sleep at night, I do not have to worry about my home being bombed, or my rights getting stripped from me.




I always loved this scene in "A Few Good Men" - makes you feel all types of patriotism!!



How cool is this???



Finally - what do we support and what has held true - and what was sooo earth shattering?? If you only watch one video on this blog today - Watch this one.