It's Your Right

READY...“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” ~ John Qunicy Adams, 6^th US President 1825-1829

AIM…  It was an exciting morning.  I got every family member ready and out the door for work and school in normal fashion.  However, instead of heading to work, I drove straight to my polling place where I, like many other Americans, would be casting my vote for the President of the United States along with many other local leaders.  When I arrived, the parking lot was already full. Wow!  I was thrilled to know that so many of my neighbors and friends were excited to vote today too.  As I got out of my car and walked toward the door of the building, I felt this huge swell of pride rise up inside of me.  I, yes I, Lori Bodkin, was going to VOTE!  Sidebar - I have voted many times before, but never really felt like I did today.  Before today, I voted out of obligation because it’s my civil duty and because I, as an American, have the freedom to do so.  Today, however, was different.  Today, I was feeling overwhelmed with gratitude that I COULD vote.  I am a woman.  In other countries, women do not get to vote and their opinions do not matter.  I am an American citizen.  The men and women in the military have fought and died so I would continue to have the freedom to vote and choose the leaders of my country.  I am a human. I have feelings and morals and values and concerns about the community and nation in which I live.  I want only the best for my family and our future.  Today, I was simply overcome with the idea that other men and women in our nation could also vote and celebrate our freedom to choose by placing our opinions in the hands of God (and the hopefully, well-trained poll workers.)  It was a day I realized that no matter what, we all love to live in America and we all respect the positions of our leaders and all we really want is to feel like we are a contributing member of society.  So, into the building I went and collected my ballot; I VOTED for the people I felt would do the best job for all of us and the rest will soon be history.  I happily skipped out to my car wearing my “I Voted” sticker like a badge of honor.  I hope you voted today too.  Regardless of your political views and opinions, let’s all remember we were originally called the melting pot for a reason and we can all be thankful we still have the right to share our decisions with the entire nation.  For that, we can all be truly grateful.

FIRE!   Tomorrow is a new day!  Let’s put aside our selfish pride and hidden agendas and remember above all else, we are Americans.  We live in the land of the free and the home of the brave, and we must continue to be ONE nation under GOD, indivisible, providing liberty and justice for ALL!

Be Excellent!
Lori

 

God Intervenes

READY… “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love."  ~ Marcus Aurelius

AIM… Today, we remember 9/11.  You know where you were.  You remember exactly what you were doing.  It was a chilling event that rocked our world to the core.  However, what started out as a regular day for most of us, turned into a nightmare for others. We have listened to the life-altering stories from survivors who didn’t make it to work that day at the World Trade Center Towers because life’s ordinary delays or even a few strange hold-ups prevented them from being caught in the midst of American’s most tragic event.  I’m talking about things like several folks getting stopped in unusual traffic jams, or how one fella spilled coffee on his shirt and had to take extra time to change his clothes, and even one gal who dropped her shoe in the toilet of all things.  The stories go on and on about the reasons various people did not arrive to work on time, forever changing their very fate.

We can grumble when God intervenes in our lives, or we can rejoice in the detours and delays.  We have no idea what’s at the other end of our journey, but God knows.  My mother sent me this amazing dialogue she received from a friend recently.  Perhaps it will give you a different perspective and some patience when God intervenes in your life next time.

 
Just Askin'
Me: God, can I ask you a question?
God: Sure.
Me: Promise you won't get mad?
God: I promise.
Me: Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?
God: What do you mean?
Me: Well, I woke up late.
God: Yes.
Me: My car took forever to start.
God: Okay.
Me: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait.
God: Huummm.
Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call.
God: All right.
Me: And on top of it all, when I got home I just wanted to soak my feet in my new foot massager and relax, but it wouldn't work!!!Nothing went right today! Why did you do that?
God: Let me see, the Death Angel was at your bed this morning and I had to send one of the other angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that.
Me: (humbled): Oh...
God: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.
Me: (ashamed) Hmmm…
God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.
Me: (embarrassed): Ok...
God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call. I didn't even let you talk to her so you would be covered.
Me: (softly) I see, God.
God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a short that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.
Me: I'm sorry, God.
God: Don't be sorry, just learn to trust me.....in all things, the good and the bad.
Me: I will trust you.
God: And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan.
Me: I won't, God. And let me just tell you, God, thank you for everything today.
God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God, and I love looking after my children.

FIRE!   Richard Bach said, "Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you're alive, it isn't."  If you are reading this, congratulations!  You are alive!  God isn’t finished with you yet, so set forth today giving thanks for the opportunity to move mountains, serve others and make a difference in your world.  And if you find yourself in the middle of an interesting twist of events, be grateful God is intervening.

Be Excellent!

Lori

American Pride

READY… “We did a recent survey and two out of three Americans don’t know the words to the National Anthem.” ~ Vanessa Mason

AIM… The summer Olympics are over for another four years.  Certainly, most of you watched at least some of the highlights either on television or the internet.  America can be proud of the incredible athletes who represented our country and gave every ounce of their best effort to showcase their God-given talents to the world.  My simple question is this: “Why don’t the American athletes, at least the majority of them, put their hand over their heart and sing our National Anthem as our flag is being raised in honor of their success?”  One must ask oneself, do those athletes not know the words to our country’s beloved song?  Does it not have meaning deep down in their hearts?  Perhaps each one is so overcome with emotion that simply singing the words would invoke a teary breakdown?  I know I got choked up myself watching the Americans win gold medals in several events and I was simply at home, on my couch, watching the televised rebroadcast.  Later I thought, maybe it’s disrespectful to sing the anthem out loud at an event of such prestige.  But that theory was busted this past week at my son’s 7^th grade football “Meet the Team Night”. No one in the stands sang the national anthem as the American flag was raised to a place of honor before the event and very few people had hands over their hearts. Pitiful.  Yes, gentlemen did remove their hats, but it was still pitiful.  Sadly, I must admit, as I began to sing and realized that no one else was singing, I quietly lowered my voice to a mere whisper and felt guilty that I didn’t have the courage to sing out loud and proud.  I AM proud to be an American and I KNOW we are free as a direct result of the strength of the men and women who fought through the “bombs bursting in air that our flag might still wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

So please, if there is anyone out there who just might have an answer as to why Americans are thrilled to stand up for our country at athletic events as a spectator or a participant but just can’t bring themselves to sing our anthem on the podium or in the stands, I would really love to know.

FIRE!   Fall sports have begun.  Many of you will attend a sporting event either through a local school or for a professional team.  When the American flag is raised and you are called to your feet to stand in respect, don’t be ashamed to put your hand over your heart and sing the words that represent true American pride.  Perhaps the person next to you just needs a singing partner to pay homage to our great country as well.

Be Excellent!
Lori

Freedom Isn't Always Free

READY… “We have enjoyed so much freedom for so long that we are perhaps in danger of forgetting how much blood it cost to establish the Bill of Rights.”  ~Felix Frankfurter

AIM… In celebration and respect of Independence Day for the United States of America, I’ve been thinking about how we, as Americans, pay homage to our freedom.  Yep, you guessed it…barbeque and fireworks!  Nothing says thank you for our freedom like baked beans, grilled burgers and the vibrant sight of sparklers at dusk.  Now you know I’m being a little sarcastic here.  However, I had you thinking for a moment, didn’t I?  I would venture to guess the majority of us never served in the military so we cannot possibly appreciate giving up our personal freedoms to serve and fight for everyone else’s.  There’s no way we could ever really know what it’s like to stand guard on a sandy desert in 100+ degree heat or to wade through murky jungle swamps or to help millions of victims from a terrorist attack.  No, for most of us, those scenarios are simply scenes from action movies and television dramas made for us ordinary folks who love and enjoy our freedom to live life the way we want to live.  And so, to each and every one of our American heroes who have served in any way to protect and retain the freedoms we love and take for granted, I salute you.  Thank you seems so insignificant in comparison to your ultimate sacrifice.  However, for now, at least some of us are able to recognize and acknowledge your extreme loyalty and fierce commitment to a cause much larger than yourself.  So this Fourth of July, raise those hot dogs, watermelon slices and ice cold beers in a toast to the men and women who have fought to keep our country free so we can celebrate year after year with a day off work to picnic with friends and family and to be grateful for the other 364 days when we can do most anything we want with our lives.  God Bless the USA and all the fighting men and women who serve our country! 

FIRE!   Happy 4^th of July!  If you know someone who is serving in the US military, please take a moment to send him or her an email, Facebook message or a card acknowledging the extreme gratitude you have for your freedom.  Chances are he isn’t enjoying a lip-smacking BBQ rib; he is probably suited up, awaiting orders from the commanding officer.

Be Excellent!

Lori