Gratitude & Appreciation – Page 6

Aurora Borealis, the colored lights seen in th... — Aurora Borealis, the colored lights seen in the skies around the North Pole, the Northern Lights, from Bear Lake, Alaska (Photo credit: Beverly & Pack)

I’m deeply saddened and rocked to the core by the horrific event which took place in Aurora, Colorado. Life is a blessing and it’s difficult to find meaning in a senseless act of violence. When something like this happens we tend to ask why or what was the motivation behind it but instead of asking why, maybe we should focus on the messages from the survivors, the victims and their families. Over and over we hear them say how precious life is. There is a wake up call for all of us which comes from this tragic, senseless moment in time.

Precious lives were lost and the lives of those who lost loved ones or were touched in some way by this event are forever changed. We as a nation rally around to send love, support and healing. We grieve with them and try to make sense of it all but are we listening and taking to heart the messages they are giving us? Let us listen and apply their messages to our own lives to honor those who lost theirs; Life is a blessing and a gift and to live each day as if it was your last.

Tragedies have the ability to open your eyes so you can re-evaluate what’s important in life. There are even those who survive to give you messages before they take their next step. Listen to what the survivors and families are saying and apply it to your life! They are sending messages loud and clear…every moment of your life is a blessing, it is precious and you never know when you will take your last breath. Are you living life to its fullest or are you caught up in struggle and negativity? Let us all find meaning and not let the messages go unheeded. Let us honor those who escaped death in one instance to bring us messages of life. Perhaps this was the very purpose they needed to fulfill before leaving this earthly plane.

Jessica Ghawi an aspiring journalist left a food court in an Eaton Toronto mall just moments before a gunman opened fire. On June 6th, 2012 she wrote a blog called “Late Night Thoughts on the Eaton Center Shooting”. She wrote about life as a blessing. “I say all the time that every moment we have to live our life is a blessing. So often I have found myself taking it for granted. Every hug from a family member. Every laugh we share with friends. Even the times of solitude are all blessings. Every second of every day is a gift. After Saturday evening, I know I truly understand how blessed I am for each second I am given.” Little over a month later she was killed in the Aurora Colorado theater. Take to heart and find meaning in her message. Live your life as if “every second of every day is a gift”

Nathen Taylor, a former U.S. Army Sargent served three tours of duty in the Middle East and was shot to death for no reason at all while sitting in a car in Lancaster, Los Angeles. Is there any meaning at all that he survived war and was shot just sitting in his car visiting a family member? He was blessed to survive and I’m sure his family felt blessed to have him home. Who knows how many lives he saved or the lives he touched once he returned home. He returned to fulfill his purpose and although we might not personally know what that purpose was there is meaning in his life and his senseless death.

Hilda Yolanda Mayol worked in a ground floor restaurant in the WTC and escaped death on 9/11/2001. She died merely 2 months later in November when American Airlines Flight 587 crashed killing everyone aboard. What was her message? Whom did she touch? Why did she survive in one instance and not the other? Only she as spirit knows what she came here to do but if we listen to our own hearts we will find our own purpose and fulfill it.

Think about these people and find meaning for yourself. Discover your own purpose. It is time to stop getting caught up in things you cannot control. It is time to let go of worry and enjoy the time you have here. It is time to fulfill your purpose; Live a life filled with love, enthusiasm and joy. Who knows how many lives you’ve touched, how many people you’ve helped or how you affected someone elses life because you passed them on the street and smiled. Enjoy life and live it to its fullest. Life is a blessing and a gift. Honor it and live it…you never know when you might take your last breath.~Shine Your Light Debbie

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Memorial Day in the United States has changed from its civil war roots originally called Decoration Day. It has become a day for honoring those who serve(d) in the armed forces. This is a day to put aside any judgement about war and honor those who fought (and are still fighting) bravely. It is time to pause and reflect upon the true meaning of Memorial Day and not just consider this day as the unofficial start of summer.

It is a sad truth that war exists but it does. It is a part of history in almost every country. Whether it be a civil war, the fight for freedom, human rights or against tyranny there are those who step up and take on the duty of serving and protecting. There are many reasons men and women join the armed forces but the fact remains they are stepping up with the knowledge that they might have to go into battle at some point. They step up when they KNOW they could lose their lives. Even those who were drafted in years past fought for their lives and ours. Many paid the price and made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.

War is not pretty and leaves a mark on everyone and everything it touches; Soldiers, family, friends and the countries where the wars take place. It leaves a mark on each one of us as we watch with horror from our homes. Saying thank you isn’t enough. One day of honor and memorial isn’t enough. Mere words are not enough nor is placing flowers or a flag on a gravestone but it is all we can do.

To those who have put their lives on the line for us; To those who put their lives on the line to help others be free; To the families of those who lost their lives in the line of duty let us say thank you. Let us honor this day and give thought to the meaning of memorial day and how our lives have changed because of these brave souls who took on the huge responsibility of defending our country and fighting for democracy and freedom all over the world.

We honor you and thank you for your service. We honor those who lost their lives and pray that those who fought and returned find love and peace in their hearts again. We say thank you and pray for the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We say thank you and honor each and every person who stepped up to sign up. We say thank you and honor those who were drafted. On this memorial day please join me in a moment of silence to honor, say thank you and send out the vibration of gratitude, appreciation and peace to our veterans past and present. It is with the utmost respect, gratitude and appreciation that we say THANK YOU for your service! You ARE appreciated and words are simply not enough…..~Shine Your Light Debbie

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