Tag Archives: fireworks

OUR BIRTHDAY OF FREEDOM

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Beloved,

Happy 4th of July, the United States’ Birthday of Freedom.

Freedom is what everything is all about. If you do not feel free then you are not free. We humans put ourselves in all of these boxes beginning with what sex you are. Then comes race, culture, status, beliefs, opinions, perspectives, and on and on. Why do we box ourselves in? Is it only fear and if so, what is the fear? All of this fighting and turmoil in the world is about someone being different than who we are. Why cannot we humans just accept that each of us is unique thus we ARE different and that uniqueness is beautiful and interesting? How bored would we be if we were all were the same? We would not be able to tell ourselves apart from anyone else. Just because you are different does not mean you are taking anything away from anyone else and yet, there is fear that the other person might take something away from us just by being different. Why do we all have to be the same to feel safe on this beautiful planet? There is safety in being unique. When we allow ourselves to be unique then we allow and accept that in others.

Let us honor ourselves and this free country we live in. Parents are willing to give up their children that they might have the freedom we Americans have. Why or why do we not value and appreciate it? So many people complain about our government, whether local or national. Even our own congress is so busy fighting against a perceived enemy in the opposite party that it is setting a standard of fear and judgment. Please take a moment to see and appreciate where you are now and the safety that this beautiful country provides. Let’s give our congress the perfect model of cooperation just by accepting ourselves and all others. After all, we are one species on one planet. If the powers to be cannot be an example to us then let us be an example to them.

The Chinese are not only the inventors of the fireworks they are still the masters. The Hunan Province town is where fireworks were invented and the show has never been equaled in the West. Relax and simply enjoy the creation of another human being regardless of where they live.

> http://www.youtube.com/embed/_LpMB1OZ53g?feature=player_detailpage%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3e%3c/iframe%3e&autoplay=1″

My stomach had so many butterflies in it the day of my next swimming lesson. I would be wearing my wetsuit and I was feeling so different from the others who did not need to wear extra gear to stay warm in the lap pool. (Talk about being unique, it takes courage to be unique and a lot of deep breaths) I even put on my wet suit and went in my lake to try it out. I was soooo surprised that I did not feel cold. The woman who does the weekly test to make sure the water is pure told me that it was 77 degrees so that means in the pool which is 80 degrees, I should not be cold. Yet I was still nervous to wear the wetsuit and get in the cooler pool. I finally came to terms with: if this did not keep me warm enough I just would leave the class and perhaps take private lessons in the warm pool although that would not be conquering my fear of being over my head in the water as the warm pool never goes over my head.

The teacher was late and I did not want to get in the pool with the other three students because I was not sure just how long I could stay warm and I wanted to save that time for learning. I finally jumped in the pool with the others and, SURPRISE, I was not cold. In fact, I did not get cold until the class was almost done. I did well as all my practicing the week before kicked in. We learned the dead man’s float and also a swimming stroke. There is only so much you can learn in 45 minutes; that is why the practice is so important.

We only have three more lessons and the teacher promised us we would be swimming in the deepest part before we end the classes. Sooooo, we still have to learn how to swim and take breaths, as for now, we are only taking a deep breath and exhaling bubbles from our nose while our faces are in the water and then we stop gliding, floating or swimming and come up for air. I practice in the warm pool right now so I don’t have to put on my wetsuit. My goal is to swim in the lake when the water is warm enough without a wetsuit, and without the swim cap and only ear plugs and goggles. I am so looking forward to my freedom.

Here is an astounding video and song on Surrender. Enjoy and let your spirits be lifted.

http://gilalan.com/Reconnect_Journey_Final_Class_Ida.html

This is a story of Nigeria teens who invented something that all of us have but they have put it to good use. Would it not be wonderful to end the energy crisis and all the wars fought over them? There is such hope for the world after all.

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/photo-day-nigerian-teens-make-urine-powered-generator/

Enjoy the fireworks whether you are there in person or watching on the TV. I hope you enjoyed the fireworks above (did you notice the symbol of love being shown many times?)

—
Love and Light

Mary Grace

http://www.IAmMaryGrace.com
http://www.TheWoundedChalice.com
http://www.waleson5.com/marygrace.html

FREEDOM FROM WHAT?

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Happy 4th of July!!!! What symbolism this day bears.
We are free as a Country from the terrorism of other
countries and our beloved service men and women
are the reason for this freedom. We owe them a
debt beyond anything we can give them.

Today also brings up for me the many ways I am not
free. I am not free from the negative news that is spewed
across the airways, I am not free from the judgement of
my peers who differ in opinions whether pertaining to
religion or politics or health policies. But…..I am free
to say what I do believe and I am also free to make
up my own mind of the things I choose to believe.

The hardest freedom to attain is from the habits of the
mind. My mind is most critical of myself and my habits.
Other people habits do not really affect me directly but
the way I look at myself in mind, body and spirit does
directly affect me. I am more critical of myself than any
other person I know and I find it more difficult to forgive
myself for transgressions that seem to come upon me
without me even being aware of them.

Having ice cream is not a terrible thing, in fact, it is
quite soothing especially at this time of the year. Yet,
one eskimo pie leads to another and I can’t seem to say
no to myself after just one. I know better than to eat
more than one but it’s like one calls for more. I do
not even want ice cream other than when it is hot
outside and I would like the freedom to say no to
myself when my urges are excessive. We have all
had occasions when urges take us over so we know
the ramifications of giving into them. But….oh, that
Eskimo pie is so refreshing.

I know this is a small thing in the scheme of things and
I am grateful for the opportunities (after all, I do the
grocery shopping), I guess its OK to be excessive
occasionally. How many people would like to have
those opportunities.

I have just witnessed the most beautiful display of
fireworks. Remember I live on a lake which is
another thing I am grateful for. There must have been
all the boats from around the lake out there with their
silhouettes and their night lights on, it was a sight to behold.
Usually after sunset, the boats retire to their perspective
mooring sites.There were five houses who shot them off,
each one trying to top off the last one. They took turns
so it lasted quite a while.

I was able to watch from inside my house through my bow
window and I could see them all. I have a sensitivity to
smoke of any kind so I was able to be safe inside and
still enjoy the display. Another thing to be grateful for.

We as a country, have so much to be grateful for. We
take our freedoms for granted without even taking the time
to thank our fellow Americans for giving us those rights.
We have many ancestors to also thank for Our Land
of the Free. Let us take a moment to send up a silent
prayer for all the freedoms we do have.

I received this info and this is an appropriate day to
share this with you.

Subject: The Last Post

We have heard the music a thousand times. Now we know
the history & the words. WOW!!!!!!
If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which The
Last Post was played; this brings out a new meaning of it.

Here is something everyone should know. Until I read this,
I didn’t know, but I checked it out and it’s true:

We have all heard the haunting song, ‘The Last Post.’
It’s the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually
tears in our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think
you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the American Civil War,
when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men
near Harrison’s Landing in Virginia . The Confederate Army
was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier
who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a
Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life
and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling
on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the
stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered
it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and
went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of
the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying
music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling
his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked
permission of his superiors to give his son a full military
burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only
partially granted.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army
band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.

The request was turned down since the soldier was a
Confederate.

But, out of respect for the father, they did say they
could give him only one musician.
The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to
play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece
of paper in the pocket of the dead youth’s uniform.

This wish was granted.
The haunting melody, we now know as ‘The Last Post’
used at military funerals was born.

The words are:

Day is done.
Gone the sun.
From the lakes
From the hills.
From the sky.
All is well.
Safely rest.
God is nigh.

Fading light.
Dims the sight.
And a star.
Gems the sky.
Gleaming bright.
From afar.
Drawing nigh.
Falls the night
Thanks and praise.
For our days.
Neath the sun
Neath the stars.
Neath the sky
As we go.
This we know.
God is nigh

I too have felt the chills while listening to ‘The Last Post’
but I have never seen all the words to the song until now.
I didn’t even know there was more than one verse .
I also never knew the story behind the song and I
didn’t know if you had either so I thought I’d pass it along.

I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I
did before.

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their
Country. Also Remember Those Who Have Served And
Returned; and for those presently serving in the Armed Forces.

Love and Light,

Mary Grace
http://www.TheWoundedChalice.com
http://www.TheWoundedChalice.com/blog
[email protected]

3 Brows Beach Dr
PO Box 403
Wales, MA 01081, USA
413-245-3977