Celebrating Veterans Day

November 8, 2021Blog, Personal Growth, The History FilesInspiration, veterans historydebio7 Leave a comment

The History Files

Why do we celebrate Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is a Federal holiday that is celebrated on November 11 of each year.

We say celebrated, but is it really, by most Americans, or do we just gladly accept it as another day off work or school (for some), with little concern as to why?

As of the time of this writing, it is estimated that there are 19 million living American Veterans. This encompasses those who have served in our military forces from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and The War of Terrorism. Of them, 9% are women, 325,574 are veterans of WWII, 2,500 veterans of D Day, fewer than 300,00 veterans are from Pearl Harbor, 500,000 represent the Korean War and 610,000 served in Vietnam on land, with 164,000 at sea.

Veterans Day honors them all. Veterans Day honors all American Veterans living or dead – thanking them all for their honorable service to our country. Memorial Day is the day when we pay special tribute to those who lost their lives in service to our country.

But why November 11?

In 1918, on the 11th month, the 11th day, at the 11th hour, a temporary cease fire was signed between the Allied forces and Germany during WWI. This became known as Armistice Day in 1919, the day the armistice was signed. Even though, the Treaty of Versailles marked the official end of WWI, Armistice Day remained in the public’s mind as the end of WWI.

After WWII and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a day dedicated to American veterans of all wars. It was officially changed in 1954, when President Eisenhower signed it into law. In Great Britian, Canada, France and Austrilia it is called Remberance Day and is celebrated around November 11.

It is important to note that it is Veterans Day, without an apostrophe in veterans. That is because it is not a day belongs to veterans, it is a day for honoring veterans. (Remember, an apostrophe denotes possession 🙂 )

These veterans are dying. We are loosing them and their stories. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us, the living, who know these vets, to firstly honor them, and not just on November 11. And when possible, to take the time to hear as much of their story as they are willing and able to share. When we visit memorials and monuments let’s be respectful and share their value and stories with those in our sphere of influence.

We are still a great nation and much of that is owed to the brave men and women of our armed forces who willingly served to promote our democracy and freedom. They chose to.

It seems like a no brainer for us to choose to honor them and yes, celebrate our veterans.

Thank you Veterans.

Cheers to you,

Debbie

Bust Loose

January 24, 2020Blog, Encouragement, Personal Growthbust loose, freedom, Inspiration, set freedebio7 Leave a comment

My theme for the start of 2020 has been “Bust loose”, or put another more active way, “Bustin loose”.

Although I don’t often reference The Urban Dictionary, I will here. Bust loose means, ” to lose ones temper in a surprising & entertaining way, exhibiting courage & testiness that clearly proves one’s status as a non-sissy.” (I exchanged “sissy” for the less crass word they used.)

SO here’s my take-away: It’s time to get down right angry at the things that have bound us up and bust loose in an entertaining and surprising way. Prove to God and the world you are not a sissy, or whimp. It’s time to BUST LOOSE.

From those things (or that thing) that has tied you up

” Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.”
Galatians 5:1

Cheers to you

Your Voice

January 22, 2020Blog, InspirationInspiration, speak up, uniquely you, voicedebio7 2 Comments

Your voice is important. No one else can speak with your voice.

Your voice is as distinguishing as your fingerprint and your DNA. Your voice is uniquely you. It is determined by the finely tuned working of your specifically designed lungs, larynx, vocal folds, and 19 other points between those folds and your lips. The custom shapes of all of those parts of your body make your voice uniquely – your voice. You are an engineering masterpiece.

“Voice” is defined as:

a sound produced…
a particular opinion or attitude
to express something in words

Your metaphorical voice is as unique as your physical voice. The way you express yourself, speak truth, is to be like no one else – unique. Your metaphorical voice is based on your experiences, your values, beliefs, and your perspective. Expressing your voice is vital. Expressing your voice is more important than being heard. Of course, we want to be heard, but finding your voice should not be dependent on someone to hear it.

Recent studies have shown that “the human voice is more powerful a tool for expressing emotion than previously assumed.” The Human Voice Can Communicate 24 Emotions (UC Berkeley), awe, adoration, interest, sympathy, and embarrassment to name a few.

An Israeli company, “VoiceSense”, in a recent article entitled, “Mining Secrets in Your Voice” declares,

“Give us someone’s voice, and we’ll tell you what they will do.”

There is evidence that there are personal insights contained in our own speech. Insights that reveal emotions and tendencies to act. Your voice is highly personal and hard to fake the emotions behind it.

So what’s the point here?

You were given your uniquely designed voice – physical and metaphorical. No one can use it. No one controls it. No one knows what personal insights your voice will reveal. It’s yours alone. Finding and using your voice is key to freedom, value, purpose, healing and happiness.

And best of all, The Creator designed your voice and gave it to you because He wants to hear it. He is listening for your voice.

Cheers to you.

Awaken 2020

January 20, 2020Blog, Inspiration, Personal GrowthAwaken2020, Inspiration, new era, spiritual awakeningdebio7 Leave a comment

Tempe, AZ

January 18, 2020

There are times when you just know you gotta do this. You can’t let it pass, you can’t procrastinate, put it off, or ignore it.

This was one of those times for me and my husband. And it did not disappoint!

We heard fantastic preachers, songs, and leaders from all over the nation. We met others who were driven by the same desire to be a part of this. We were stirred, challenged, ignited and I trust forever changed. (on the inside)

I believe when “I gotta do this” opportunities are met with “nothing’s gonna stop me” determination, forever change is a forgone conclusion. Persistence pays off. Reward comes with risk. And there is no greater feeling of achievement, gratification, fulfillment, purpose, and contentment.

What is YOUR “I gotta do this”? Let this be the time you DO IT. The reward is amazing!

Jumping in, going for it.

Eddie James and his team were phenomenal

Perspective is everything

January 16, 2020Blog, EncouragementInspiration, perspective, wordsdebio7 Leave a comment

Sometimes the way we take what we hear is wrong. Our interpretation is off. Sometimes we are in need of rehearing it, through a different filter, with a different perspective.

Sometime ago a decision was made regarding me that was shocking. Life altering and affected every area of my life. I was told, “we’re letting you go”.

If you’ve ever heard those words, you know. It knocks the breath out of you. Especially with no previous indicators!

And if you haven’t, then you can imagine. (And give thanks.)

That statement played over and over for months in my head. My emotions were wrecked. I was stunned. Hurt. And so much more.

Until I heard those words through a different filter. Until I processed them differently. Until another perspective dawned on me.

It was time for me to go. My time there was up. There was another direction for me to go in. That place was releasing me into something else. I needed to go that new direction. (Whether I wanted to or not at the time.)

It was time to GO. I was being let go. Go, Debbie. Now is the time to go.

Wow!

That perspective changed my life again and for so much good.

Words are powerful. So too, is our interpretation of them.

Be encouraged, that even when the most shocking words are hurled at you, our perception of them is key. Listen yes, but in time ask yourself and reevaluate “what was really said?”

Cheers you you.