Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Honor they're due...


Parades. Marching Bands. Cemetery Memorials. Gun salutes. They've all become a part of what we, in America, proudly celebrate as Memorial Day. But why the celebration?

What started in the mid-1800's as a day to decorate graves in honor of the Civil War dead is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May, though several southern states have an additional day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 in Louisiana and Tennessee.

The National Holiday Act of 1971 was passed by Congress to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays. However, many feel that when Congress made Memorial Day into a three-day weekend, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

To help remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed in Dec. 2000 which asks that on Memorial Day, at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

Ever been approached by a veteran in uniform offering you an artificial poppy? Have any clue what for? It too, is associated with Memorial Day. The red poppy, which became associated with war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of Canada, "In Flander's Field," describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen. Since that time the VFW's Buddy Poppy program, which sells the poppies made by disabled veterans, has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans and their dependents.

So, enjoy the three-day weekend, but let this Memorial Day also serve to remind us all that there are thousands who've given their lives that we might enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted in this the "land of the free and home of the brave" (Francis Scott Key, "The Star-Spangled Banner").

Touching other People.


Recently, I listened to a gentleman with whom I was doing business, share how over the last two years he'd rethought his priorities as he battled cancer. He said that there was a time hunting, fishing and his love for guns was his passion. Now, his family, friends and his volunteer work through the Knights of Columbus were what he lived for. This wasn't the first time I'd heard of someone amending their priorities.

I recall a radio broadcast with Glen Beck several years back. He was interviewing three men who'd survived captivity in the jungles of South America. Their plane had been forced to land and they were immediately captured and held by Colombian rebels for five years. At one point during the program Glen asked what kept each of them going, what gave them hope to survive. Not that the rest of their answers weren't similar, but I distinctly remember one of the three speak of seeing his family again. That made such an impression. When that man could have easily despaired of life as he spoke in retrospect of five long years of never knowing if he'd see the light of morning, the hope that kept him going was seeing his family again!

A couple of other clients who've recently made impressions include an elder widow in her 80's (it's hard to tell sometimes), who stays active with volunteer work at the local hospital and has done so for over 30 years. Though she uses a cane to navigate slowly, she said in a rather matter-of-fact tone, "I just can't stop my volunteer work". Absolutely amazing! Incidentally, this same woman was a foster parent along with her husband, to over 40 children!

Another client, an elderly woman who lives alone and suffers from arthritis in her hands and neck such that she can't move her fingers or turn her head easily, stays active by being a "cheerleader" for a local Triple A baseball team. Her and eleven other "aged" friends entertain hundreds of fans every week with their jubilant cheers!

There are many similar stories I could share but the point I want to make is simply this: The essence of life is making others an inclusive part of our day. We truly live when we go out of our way to touch another persons' life!

Do you regularly take time to "reach out and touch someone"? If not, is there someone you can think of right now that could use a touch today?

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Known by our Actions

"Do what I say and not what I do". I grew up hearing those words more than once, and every time they'd go down like I'd just swallowed a fish bone. To translate, it should of sounded something like, "I'm expecting you to do or act in a way I have no intention of myself". It was hypocrisy...pure and simple! Don't tell me 'til you can show me!

There are people in courtrooms across the land pleading that their intentions be considered above their actions as if what they've done just somehow "happened" mysteriously. How can someone honestly say that what they've done was completely unintentional- an act apart from their will? They may have known better, but they're actions certainly were what they intended.

As leaders, our actions speak so much louder than what we say. What we do is being critiqued constantly. No matter how well-meaning our intentions or eloquence, it's ultimately our actions that people judge. In fact, with one careless act, someone could invalidate even the most well-crafted, well-meaning words.

When instructing his young leader about the qualifications of an Overseer, the Apostle Paul wrote Timothy , "...he must have a good testimony among those who are outside lest he fall into reproach..." (1 Timothy 3:7). That good testimony is established through the actions and conduct amongst others- especially amidst those outside the faith.

In the Book of James we read that with our words we can bridle our whole body (James 3:2), but if our conduct isn't in harmony with our words, it's our words that become invalid not our actions. Our words and actions should align however, our actions will always override our words.

Someone once said, "I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I'd rather have one walk beside me than merely point the way." As Ben Franklin was quoted as saying, "A good example is the best sermon."

Would you agree that our actions speak louder than our words?