It’s Memorial Day Weekend. Do you know where you mind is? How about your heart?
You’ve got an extra day off from work; the kids have the day off from school. So what are you doing with this gift of time? Tend to the garden, go to a park, have a cook-out, catch up on some chores, visit some friends, wash cars, pay bills, surf the web, go to a movie, clean the bathrooms, or what? What are you going to do with this little holiday break, the unofficial start of summer, and why?
It’s a national holiday, and the United States will honor those who gave their lives to protect our country and to protect the ideals of freedom and liberty for all. Who will you be remembering and honoring, so that their lives will continue to be a positive influence on your children?
Amongst all the running around, or just putting your feet up and doing nothing, take a few minutes each day this weekend to pause, reflect, and be aware of what you are thankful for. What gifts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are you enjoying right now, thanks to the country that with all its flaws has provided you with these opportunities? And give thanks to a God or Universe that, without any flaws, has seen to it that your life is just perfect as it is – whatever the circumstances, you are loved and worthy of love.
Now, with a centering prayer or reflection of gratitude like that each day this weekend, go ahead and pay attention to those thoughts as much as you can throughout the day. Notice how lighter and happier you may feel. Notice how your attitude about the stresses of daily life may shift, and the more important matters of the heart rise to the surface more easily.
Quietly notice what other pleasures you see around you that you are thankful for. Let this awareness guide you in feeling more free and giving to others – especially with your children.
With this heightened awareness of what you are grateful for, what and whom you wish to remember this weekend, you will more easily honor those that came before you, and more fully pass on those gifts of love to your children, family, and friends.
Now, with that little extra oomph of gracious awareness, spoken out loud to your family or just carried as a glowing light inside you, go crank up the grill and have some fun!
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