Happy this, Merry that- I get really burnt out on the platitudes. I think it’s the shallow connections made that we feel obligated to through social media helping fuel the burn. I DO wish you the best of holidays, in most things you celebrate, but keeping up with it all really is an occupation.

There are social media coordinators who get paid to make sure the feel-good messages go out to their constituents, that no opportunity passes without some promotion which will engender good will toward their trademark. A veteran’s day sale isn’t just to honor veterans?

This year Halloween had a slow fade right into Christmas; orange lights bled into red, green, and white. Are we omitting Thanksgiving? Pies and poultry- not room enough for commercialism so it’s not worth promoting? I guess the inflatable turkeys didn’t sell well last year.

I’ve been wondering the last few years if the colors of fall look less vibrant because of my perception or if overall they are not producing the same RGB values. The problem is, childhood wonder probably enhances color or our memories of them. I’m not in the same state as my early impressions of fall (different soil comp, tree spec, etc), and without a color meter…

I’ve been enjoying the warmer weather these last few days, sitting on the front porch under the centuries old oak wondering about it all and trying to shake the sense of contempt I feel for our current culture. Leaves previously bipartisan- half green, half brown have mellowed to a beautiful gold.

Are you stopping to be thankful in the minutiae? Do you care to marvel or are you annoyed that your phone battery is dying faster than it used to?

Are you required to be thankful? No, but you’ll certainly live a happier life practicing gratitude. I am thankful for the men and women I served beside in the Marine Corps and other services.

Thank you to veterans of all eras, in war time and in peace!

Men and women looking for a family, a fresh start, stability, job training, money for college, life experience, world travel, or a chance to serve something greater than themselves have enlisted or been commissioned since before we were officially a country. Though many in the last two decades joined because of 9/11/2001, we now have young enlisted personnel who weren’t born when that tragedy occurred. Individuals that believe people join the military because they are stupid or because it was their only option, speak from ignorance.

Take time to get to know (not just casually meet) someone who has or is serving. Talk to several if they are available (experiences vary!). A meaningful conversation, a caring spirit, or perhaps a free beer will engender good will toward most veterans. Be thankful for a veteran’s service but do more than just say that.

Over.

Make your life worth dying for. Our veterans stand ready to fight for our freedom – strive to be worth the sacrifice.

Top 10 ways to thank a veteran (military.com)

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

“When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.”
-Tecumseh

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

–Drew OUT!