On Friday we awoke to freezing temperatures and snow-covered grounds. It was the kind of weather in which you remain indoor and not venture out unless you have to.
It disrupted many lives as school closed their door and many were unable to make it to work because of the harsh conditions. We were once more reminded that there is no force stronger than that of nature.
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As we usher in the New Year let us be mindful of those who did not get the opportunity to see another year and give thanks to our Heavenly Father that we are still here.
The New Year offers new hope and new opportunities to see our dreams come to fruition. Let us take the opportunity to pursue those goals that we were unable to achieve in the past year and work hard at taking them from just dreams to realities.
Let us refrain from listening to the voice of doubt which tell us we can’t and instead have enough confidence to pursue those dreams and make them come true.
Let this be a year of cleansing. Let us free ourselves of hate, which is like a cancer that is destroying our world. Let us be more accepting of people who are different from us. The hatred of people because of race, skin color, social standing and sexual preferences is something we must try to rid our world of. We are not put here to judge one another but instead to live in peace and harmony.
Let the year 2014 be one of: Acceptance, Productivity, Achievements, Prosperity, Peace, Love and Happiness for everyone. A Very Happy New Year to one and all!
My fellow bloggers I wish for you and your families a Very Merry Christmas. This is a time of giving and receiving of sharing and caring. Let this day also be one of giving thanks to God for sending his only begotten who came on earth to die for our sins. May the spirit of Christmas find a place in your hearts and in your homes. May peace and Love abide. Love you all and happy blogging!
Sleep Well Nelson Mandela. You have left an indelible mark in this world. You did not just exist, you were an inspiration. In the face of oppression and discrimination you stood resolute in your bid for equality. You had your freedom taken away because you dared to fight against apartheid. After twenty-seven years you emerged from those prison walls with your fighting spirit intact. You were beaten down but not broken. You didn’t just talk the talk you walked the walk. You had a game plan and you executed it well. We will remember you as one of the greatest and selfless man to ever walk the face of this earth. Your memory will forever live on. May your soul Rest In Peace.
There is a growing dangerous trend where people are getting hurt in what is known as ‘The Knockout Game’ It is spreading across the Sates and this criminal act is endangering the lives of people. The attackers are walking up to strangers and punch them just for fun. They punch the victim hard enough to knock him or her out.
There have been reports of these attacks in Brooklyn, Washington DC and New Jersey. Its been reported that a man in New Jersey had seizures and died after he was punched.
Hurting people is not a game and I hope those perpetrating these acts will come to their senses and stop this dangerous activity. Stop the madness before more people are seriously hurt.
On Thursday we will celebrate Thanksgiving, one of the most look forward to holidays in America. Already many are preparing the holiday menu. On some tables there will be the traditional turkey, golden brown from the oven, ham, mashed potatoes, or potato salad and for those of Caribbean descent there will probably be jerked chicken, curried goat and goat water, rice and peas, carrot cake and sweet potato pudding.
It is a day to give thanks to God for his many blessing and to get together with families and celebrate. Many will travel thousands of miles to be with their loved ones and they will create memories. However there are some people who will not get the chance to enjoy this momentous occasion as their employers require them to be at work on Thanksgiving.
There are 365 days in a year but giving their workers the day off to celebrate with their families is apparently too much of a sacrifice for many businesses to make. Kmart for example open its doors at 6 a. m. on Thanks giving day. Wal-Mart opens all day but sales begin at 6 p. m. Toys R Us opens at 5 p.m. Best Buy 6 p. m. JCPenny, Macy’s, Target, Sears and Staples all open at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving is now being termed as Grey Thursday and if we are not careful the true meaning will be lost and sales will become the order of the day.
Maybe it is time to follow the examples of three states which ban shopping of Thanksgiving. These states are Rhode Island, Maine and Massachusetts. As consumers we have the power to stop the growing trend of businesses opening on Thanksgiving day by boycotting those who do. Consumers going out to shop will force those businesses to stay closed.
A big Thumbs up to Nordstrom, TJ Maxx, Costco, Burlington Coat Factory and Marshall’s who will all remain closed on Thanksgiving. We respect and appreciate the decision you have all made in remaining closed.
For each and everyone I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and may the Good Lord bless you all.
The month of October is designated Domestic Violence Awareness month. Domestic Violence is a global issue and as the month come to a close it is very important that everyone continue to be mindful and continue to spread awareness so that one day this vicious cycle of abuse will end.
The government shutdown has entered its second week with both parties failing to reach an agreement that will end the shutdown. It is sad that this has dragged on for so long. Obama Care is at the heart of the problem and the Republicans are prepared to continue with the shut down because of their opposition to this health care plan. At the end of the day there will be winners and losers. The question is who stand to lose the most? This is Obama’s second term in office; he will not seek re-election. The Republicans on the other hand will seek to head the next government. Will the voting public see their present course of actions justified and in the best interest of the country. Will they be able to convince the thousands of men and women who are at this moment unsure of their pay checks to vote for them.
There are thousands of people who presently have no form of health insurance and see Obama Care as their only hope of getting insured. Will the Republicans be able to convince these people that they acted in their best interest and get their votes? The Republicans need to be careful that come the next election their present actions do not come back to bite them in the ass.
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass often milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about grandfather,” said the son. I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather’s direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day that building blocks are being laid for the child’s future.
Author Marva Seaton 
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