Memorial Day Weekend is a special time recognizing those who gave their all defending the freedoms of others. Their sacrifice is the ultimate service one can give--their very own life. The price of freedom is expensive and I humbly and gratefully thank these heroes as well as everyone associated with them--their fellow soldiers, their friends, and their family. 

Today's post is specifically dedicated to my father's Uncle--my Great Uncle George.

He was a part of the Normandy D-Day invasion of WWII.  In fact, he was in one of the early waves landing on the beachfront via a Higgins boat. He knew his odds of survival were slim. A good friend of his, also in an early wave, wrote his parents a letter just before the invasion expressing his love to them and his gratitude for their love.  He requested that they honor him with a sense of pride, as he most likely would not be returning from this engagement. As a parent myself, I could only imagine the emotions I would feel reading such a letter from my son. 

The morning came and my Great Uncle George found himself amongst a number of other brave soldiers packed in a Higgins boat. The boat landed and everyone attempted to get out without being shot. He made it. As he left the boat and fell into the water, he and everyone else attempted to get out without being shot or drowning from the weight of their gear. He made it out and onto the beach. Amidst the raining down of bullets, exploding mines and mortars, he ran up the beach. Amazingly, he made it across the beach to the hillside. However, it was here where he was hit by a mortar ripping off part of his leg and sending shrapnel throughout his body.  He spun around and fell on his back. With continuing bullets flying everyplace, explosions and general chaos in all directions, my Great Uncle George lay on the upper beach with blood pouring from his body. 

At that moment, he pulled out a picture of his family and held it on his chest with his bloody hands. He held it tightly till he passed out. We know this because when the medics came and got him the following morning, he still had it clutched to his chest. After all, wasn't it for his family that he was laying on that beach giving his life so others could freely live theirs?  

Well, when the medics did pick him up, it is recorded that they yelled, "This one's not cold! He's still alive!" Somehow, through it all, he had not bled to death. And, long story short, operation after operation, he lived!  He lived to the point that when I was a small boy he told me this story himself. He showed me his reconstructed leg that was now several inches shorter than the other. He showed me the remaining shrapnel that could still be seen just under his skin. He told me about lying on his back holding the picture of his family he was certain he'd never see again. He told me all about it. Then, he looked at me and told me how his good friend and many others never did make it off that beach. He told me how the only way to give their deaths significance is not to take our freedom for granted. "Do something great with your life!"  He told me.      

Let me begin by sincerely thanking all the readers of this blog and acknowledging you for seeking to grow and improve your life.  Currently, this blog has readers from around fifty countries including: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Greece, Ireland, India, Germany, Spain, Bahamas, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Philippians, Republic of Korea, Finland, Malaysia, Switzerland, Brazil, Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Mexico, Ecuador, Norway, South Africa, Indonesia, Turkey, Haiti, Singapore, Japan, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jamaica, Belgium, Italy, U.S. Virgin Islands, Latvia, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Ethiopia, Austria, Slovakia, Guatemala, Russian Federation, Portugal, Poland, Hungry, United Republic of Tanzania (The countries are listed in order of traffic each has generated to the site).

I am deeply committed to doing all that I can to fulfill my God-given purpose to lead, teach and inspire people.  I certainly do not claim to an expert by any form of the imagination.  In fact, I am a “work in progress” myself.  However, I hope my experiences, studies, and thoughts can be of value to you.

Today, I would like to recognize a very special person, Wendy.  I want the world to know who she is and why I think she is so special.  I hope you will gain strength by her example.  

Wendy is like all of us…doing the very best she can as she travels through this thing called life.  She has struggles and victories…good days and, well … not so good days.  And, although anyone can see her outward beauty, what’s going on inside is what I want to share with you. 

First of all, Wendy is a survivor.  Although very well put together on the outside, independent, and seemingly flawless, she is truly fragile and fearful internally.  Anyone relate?  She endured some very difficult challenges as a child, had a hard time with school (although exceptionally bright), and questioned herself thanks to the comparison game.  After school, she never began the career she wanted to pursue, but rather took a different path in life which, ultimately, led her to wake up one day tired and concerned as a struggling single mother caring for a young son diagnosed with Autism. 

Now the challenges, although specific to her, may not be unusual in your life either.  Just as M Scott Peck said in the opening line of his book, The Road Less Traveled, “Life is difficult.”  Yes, it is.  In fact, in my latest poll, “Which of these emotions do you experience most often?”  Stress was the predominant answer.  Consequently, my amazement with Wendy is not that she has had some challenges to face in life, but rather how she has chosen to face them.  She will always be the first to offer a smile to someone.  She is bubbly.  She is positive.  She is up-lifting.   She is a true survivor not because she has encountered challenges and is alive today, but rather she is true survivor because she has weathered storms without her heart hardening.  She has not let her circumstances make her, but rather she has chosen well what to make of her circumstances.   She is a great example to everyone facing life’s challenges.

Wendy is hungry to grow personally and spiritually.  I always respect the people I meet that have developed themselves.  However, what inspires me are the people that are hungry to grow regardless of their current level of development.  Wendy has centered her life around her faith and her desire to grow seems itself to continue growing.  She is constantly reading and learning.  She is not the same person she was last year and I doubt she will be the same person she is next year.  How could anyone stay the same with so much hunger and effort towards growth?  Wendy’s example consistently inspires me to grow and be, “New and improved” rather than, “The same model, just one year older.”  Let her example inspire you too.

Wendy has a huge heart for hurting people.  It is what stirs her emotionally.  Show her some footage of sick and hurting orphans and you had better get her some tissue.  She hurts deeply and quickly for those who hurt—particularly the very young or elderly.  If you were to ask some people what stirs them emotionally, many people wouldn’t have an answer.  They just don’t know.  However, the greatest clue to your assignment in life – that is, what God has called you to do with your gifts – is given by what stirs your soul.  I love how her soul stirs for those who are in need of help and are hurting.  Wendy’s heart is so big for them that I have no doubt in my mind her life will reflect making a great difference in the world.  Have you taken the time to discover what stirs your soul?  Do you know what will cause someone to need to grab you some tissue?    

Wendy has an amazing God-given gift of humor.  I see her making people smile and laugh everywhere she goes.  Her quick wit is beyond understanding.  It is truly a gift.  What is really amazing is to see her gift naturally apply to her passion towards helping those who are hurting; as she says when talking about the suffering children in third world countries, “If I can just bring a smile to one child’s face…”  What is most remarkable, however, is how at one time she didn’t even accept her humor as an important gift.  “How could being funny be an important gift?” she asked once.  It came so natural to her that she didn’t see the big deal in it.  Isn’t that the case with so many people?  What comes naturally to you (your God-given gifts), you can easily downplay, miss their uniqueness to you, and often even miss the importance of their application in life.  You walk right pass what you are called to do looking for what you think you should do.  Ironic, isn’t it?  Are you downplaying your gifts like Wendy did at one time?  Your gifts lead to your purpose in life.  Apply your purpose and fulfill your calling.

Finally, Wendy is a dreamer.  She is willing, even when she is fearful, to dream.  She has not let her past define her future.  I love her dreams of a happy family and fulfilling God’s purpose for her to make a difference in people’s lives…even if it’s just to bring a smile to one child’s face.  Wendy could have given up on her dreams, but she didn’t.  She could have excused herself from the playing field of life, but she didn’t.  I admire her courage.  I hope she inspires you to connect with your dreams.  I hope you will pull them out and share them with the world like Wendy.

There are some people that seem to be drifting through life who make little or no impact on you.  There are others who make some impact that help you become a better person.  However, a few people cross the path of your life that are truly significant and impact you greatly.  Wendy is one of those people to me.  In fact, she has dramatically impacted me and I deeply respect, admire, and love her.  I am grateful to God for bringing her into my life and today I hope you are as well. 

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze
A young soldier saluted it, and then
He stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many Pilots' planes shot down?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No Freedom is not free
I heard the sound of taps one night,
When everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant "Amen"
When a flag had draped a coffin of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No Freedom isn't free!

©Copyright 1981 by Kelly Strong
(posted with permission of the author)

Today, we experience many freedoms because of the sacrifices of others. Our freedoms are so plentiful and available that we naturally tend to take them for granted. Where do you live? What do you do for a living? It’s your choice. Have you been grateful lately for those freedoms? You have the freedom of speech and the freedom to worship God in your own way.

However, what if men and women over time weren’t willing to stand up for what was right and fight for the flags of freedom? Imagine how different your life would be right now. I want to encourage you to do two things:

• Stand up for what you believe in.
• Acknowledge others who have stood up before you.

Stand up for what you believe in. Ultimately, the greatest success you can have is being able to look in the mirror and see a winner looking back. Don’t do something because you think you ‘should’ do it, because your neighbor is doing it, or because you are pressured to do it. Rather, determine what is right, plant your flag and stand by it because you believe in it. Will there be consequences? Of course there will—either way. However, at the end of the day only one choice allows you to enjoy the self-respect that comes from following your convictions.

Yes, it’s true—freedom isn’t free. Benjamin Franklin said, “They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.” Robert Frost simply wrote, “Freedom lies in being bold.”

This post is an acknowledgement of my friend Ron, and all the other bold men and women, who “saved the flag” of freedom. I woke up on this beautiful day, February 10, 2008 with a renewed appreciation of freedom and I thank everyone who has made it possible.

I'm asked a lot about Heroes.  What makes a hero?  Novalis said, "A hero is one who knows how to hang on one minute longer."  Similarly, Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer."  So, rather than list a number of personal heroes, let me simply say that heroes to me are people who stay the course in the stand for what they believe in ... A single mother doing her very best to raise her children and give them all that she can...  An abused or abandoned child that starts off life as an innocent victim and searches for answers... A tired businessman trying to provide for his family continues his work...  A lonely person wondering if they will ever feel loved starts a new day with a smile… A soldier longing to be home with his family but continues fighting for freedom...  An average individual that turns off their television, gets off the couch and attempts to make something of their life, once again…  These are my heroes.  

Tell me about yours!...

Yesterday morning I was walking alongside my four year old son, Chase.  He was riding his tricycle and loving it!  He rode one big loop, returned to the house for a quick run to the bathroom and then decided he wanted to ride to the park.  I calculated that it would be nearly three total miles of cycling for him.  It seemed like a lot to me for a four year old but he didn’t want to hear my concerns and began his trek to the park.  He rode and rode continually saying, “I’m fast and strong.  Can you see it [the park] yet Daddy?”  About ½ a mile from the park, he stopped.  “What are you doing?” I asked.  “Look Daddy!  Look at this puddle!”  He was full of excitement as he got off his tricycle and sat down next to the puddle.  He pointed out to me everything in it…the leaves, the stones, and even the miscellaneous, unidentifiable stuff.  The morning sun was reflecting off of it and the more I looked at it, the more beautiful I realized it really was.  Strange, in the midst of so much chaos in the world and plenty of goings-on in my own life, I found myself admiring the beauty of a puddle.  It was calming.  “It’s beautiful” I said to him.  “God made it just for us” my son instantly replied.  “He made it just for you and me, Chase?” I asked.  “You, me, Lightning McQueen and Dynaco King” he said including his two favorite race cars from the movie Cars.  With that, he jumped back onto his tricycle and completed his journey to the park dramatically picking up his speed as soon as he saw it.

As I think back to that precious moment I realized a few key lessons:

1. Don’t let anyone put limitations on what you can achieve.  Conversely, don’t put limitations on others.  Beware, it may even be your “Daddy” meaning well by trying to “protect” you.
2. Don’t let the drama of the world and the challenges in your own life keep you from admiring God’s beauty.  Remember the saying, “Work like it depends on you and pray like it depends on God.”  With that philosophy, critical people and challenging times need not grab your attention from the joy even a puddle can provide.
3. Keep your sights on where you are going.  Keep in mind the purpose of your mission.  And know that when you really can “see it”, you’ll have all the energy in the world to finish strong.

I have read a lot of books and attended a lot of conferences and I know good advice when I hear it.  Today, I heard some good advice.  It came from a new friend, Glen, while we were talking about the struggle he is having with his daughter.  We talked about how often the best thing I guy can say in a conversation is NOTHING!  Often, it can be difficult to stay quiet and listen when all we want to do is offer solutions or fix the problem.  It can even be more difficult if we feel attacked during that conversation.  But, women often just want to be heard as was the case with his daughter.  I asked him how he does it.  His response was priceless…He said, I just say to myself, “Lord, wrap your arms around me and put your hand over my mouth.”  Now, that’s some good advice.

For me, it is the magic moments that happen unexpectedly that I cherish most.  Yes, of course I appreciate the pleasures of financial rewards.  I enjoy the finer things as much as anyone.  However, nothing compares to a little magic moment.   

This afternoon I was in my office when my oldest son Chase comes into the room from his nap.  His brother was still sleeping and the house was quiet.  We sat down on the floor and he started spelling words in a handheld label machine.  "CAT" ... "DOG" ... "PIG" ... he typed in.  Then, he said, "Let me type our names."  He first typed his name, "Chase."  Next, he typed his brother’s name, "Casey."  Then, he said, "Let me type your name."  With that he typed, "DADDY."  He looked up at me with his big green eyes, a big smile came over his face and he said, "Daddy!"  Instantly, I felt so much love.  It was hard to explain and maybe it doesn't mean anything to anybody...but, to me, it was one of those so very precious magic moments.