Inspirational Healing

Soldier Support

"Adopt a Marine" came across my email a few weeks ago. It was from a mom asking for support for her son and his comrades who were having a tough time dealing with the loss of some of their platoon members in Afghanistan. She was asking for cards and letters to be sent to help them while so far from home. This led to a friend taking charge, collecting some items and making up "care packages" to be sent overseas to let them know that they were being thought of and appreciated. 

In the time of change that's been going on in our country in recent months, it's easy to forget our soldiers who are serving throughout the world, many in war zones. But the fact is that there are thousands of our fellow citizens away from their family, friends and way of life while serving in the harshest of conditions.

In researching information for this article, I came across numerous internet sites designed to outreach to the American people, providing information and ways in which support can be given. In working my way through them, I was struck by the touching stories of gratitude and appreciation from the soldiers for even the most basic items that they received from those back home. It's amazing to think that they don't have the simplest things that we take for granted and how much they're missed. Things like dental floss, deodorant, playing cards, lotion and potato chips. Or gum, candy, socks, even beef jerky. Or baby wipes, snacks, a soft blanket, ketchup, granola bars, kool-aid, lip balm and shampoo. The American way of life provides us the blessing to just open the cupboard and pull out these items or jump in the car, drive to the nearest store and stock up on what we want.

But this is the way of war - to be separated from those people and the things we know and love. Curling up to a loved one, reading a child a bedtime story, hot showers, eating popcorn while watching a movie - these are missing for our soldiers. So too is having a fresh razor blade, bug off, sunscreen or a nail file. But we also live in a time that the needs of the service men and women can be easily discovered and provided for. As I said, there are many websites that can be accessed to find this information, but two of them stand out to me as being current and seemingly efficient. They are www.soldiersangels.org and www.anysoldier.com. These sites provide all the information necessary to send cards, letters and packages overseas correctly in order to be sure they're received safely. (They caution not to send anything addressed to "Any Soldier" for security reasons as well as the postal service cannot deliver it without a complete address.)

The United Postal Service provides free boxes for use for military packages and a set shipping rate (no matter the weight) for each box. These can be obtained online at usps.com or at local post offices.

If you're feeling the tingling of compassion, patriotism or a "crockpot moment" (see the previous post below) while reading this, you may wish to visit these sites and find a way you can help. There are cards and letters to be sent. There are "care package" wishes to be fulfilled. There are blankets of hope that can be wrapped around the wounded as they're transported to military hospitals. There are scarves that can be made to protect their faces while the desert sand whips their skin. There are fun requests such as yo-yo's, nerf balls, squirt guns, puzzles, books and so on designed to get their minds off the hardships of war and the things they see if only for a little while. Packages can be made from scratch of the items you choose to send or there are ready-made ones you can purchase. It's almost too easy for such a meaningful gift.

When my friend took the packages to the post office for mailing, the postal clerk noted the military address and told her how much it meant to him and his fellow soldiers to receive a box from home while serving overseas. Years later, he still remembered the impact they had on all of them. It wasn't just the items themselves, but the encouragement, support and gratitude that went along with them -things he won't forget.

These men and women need us now. It's not about personal viewpoints on war and it's definitely not about politics. It's about support for a fellow American far from home. A letter or a box, just one or one every few months - it all helps and says we care. It's a simple gift of hope and caring until they all come home.

4th of July Inspiration

Since I am a night owl, it stretches the limits of my imagination as to why anyone believes that 7:30am is a good time for our town to hold its 4th of July parade, but there I was this morning at 7:00, getting my place with other questionably sane, yet undeniably patriotic Americans gathered to celebrate our nation's birth. We viewed the usual things that you'd find in a parade - marching bands, floats, clowns, stilt walkers and a politician or two - but the crowd came alive and reacted with pride and sentiment when soldiers, past and present, marched by or when the flag was the center of attention. There is no doubt that a shiver of emotion was felt or a tear or two glistened in people's eyes when the symbols of our nation passed in front of us.

Anyone who knows me knows that I tend to stay away from political discussions. This isn't because I'm ill informed or don't have opinions and beliefs, rather it's because these discussions generally revolve around the perceptions of things that are wrong or aren't working and end in discord, disagreement and dissatisfaction. And I noticed that few, if any, of these participants address their concerns or complaints to the government officials who make the decisions and pass the laws and could cause change to take place on their constituency's behalf.

I don't have a particular political agenda for this entry, but, without assigning labels or following any party lines, I do believe that we are living at a time that carries with it the potential of great change for our country. It's possible that the same indomitable spirit and belief in our country that has carried us so far in the past can work against us in the future if we're not careful. We sometimes border on arrogant in believing that we are untouchable on the world stage and that, just because we're Americans, cannot be impacted or tumble as other empires have in the past. Complacency and the naive belief that "it will all work out" just because it always has, will work against us as well. Looking back at our history, it did not "just work out" without a lot of effort, dedication, contribution, sacrifice and belief that America stands for something great and good.

We do have a responsibility to the world because our nation has been blessed with so much. But that doesn't mean we are to be blinded to the wants and needs of our citizens and country as a whole. There is a basic law of the universe that holds that love comes first from within then it's given out. This isn't a love that stems from narcissism, ego or arrogance, but rather one that comes from knowing true connection to a divine source. This divine source knows no boundaries and its abundance is limitless. In taking care of each individual's needs, the community's and then the nation's needs are also met. This process continues, allowing the world to be gifted as a whole, because there is more and more available to give to aid other people.

But the universe works within a system of balance and we have to be aware when things are getting out of balance. Governmental and financial policies of the past couple of decades have brought our country's systems and world markets out of whack. The need is great for these systems to be corrected and they're struggling in their ability to bring things back in line. Balance is the key and we are still very much off course from achieving that goal. Caution must also be applied so that the shift doesn't swing too far off in the other direction again creating imbalance. The choices we make now, both nationally and internationally, will determine if we operate in a balanced way for the benefit or all or an unbalanced way, sinking us further into the deep hole of chaos.

These choices require us to speak to our government officials and tell them what we want. They have an obligation to work for us, within the legal framework of our constitution, to make policy and procedure beneficial to all citizens equally and carry out fair and productive laws. They have the further obligation of keeping us safe and protecting our place in the world market. But if we don't speak to them, we cannot complain. If we don't hold them accountable to operate in a honest and balanced way, we cannot complain. If we do not vote our voice, by removing those who work for self-gain or against us, we cannot complain. If we do not demand what we want, in a way they can hear us, we cannot complain.

Americans do have a beautiful spirit and a willingness to do what needs to be done to protect and preserve what was gained after many hard fought battles. We also have the willingness to help others and give generously in order to help create a better world. But we must be smart about it. We must move through these next months and years with intelligence and clear-thinking, not to the goal of collecting for ourselves all we can and be damned to the rest, but in the sense of knowing that, as we protect ourselves, we will then maintain the station of responsibility and giving that we've achieved, founded on principles determined by our wise founding men and women. This way, we will be able to continue to bless the world with our presence and inherent goodness.

The universe is abundant and will provide for all. By directing our consciousness toward that belief and in that direction, applying the laws of sacredness and truth, and upholding our values with integrity and caring, we'll continue, many, many years from now, to attend 4th of July parades with honor, pride and freedom, just as so many did today. We are a nation "under God", so let's pray for ourselves, our government officials and our country, that we find our way through these current challenging times, achieving wisdom and strength, both as people and a nation, standing whole in the freedoms and bounty that we have been blessed with.

Help Fight Hunger

I recently came across a website which is both socially conscious and fun. The site provides a way to combine a vocabulary quiz with helping to end world hunger. You're given a word, you pick the correct definition from a choice of four answers and with each correct answer, ten grains of rice are donate to the World Food Program. Ten grains may not sound like much, but since the program's inception in October 2007, millions of people have been fed by rice generated through playing the game. 

It's easy and fun to play. You pick the level of difficulty, play as little or as long as you want, and watch your total grow. Play often, have fun and help the hungry of the world - what could be better? Click on the picture below to get started.