Archive for the ‘Many Reasons to Be Happy’ Category

You know, those Canadians are good neighbors. Thanks to them for hosting a generally congenial Olympics and yet a grand event full of intense and earnest athletic competition. This comment from Sports Illustrated columnist, S.L. Price, sums up some important elements of the Vancouver games…

“The USA’s 37 medals set a record for success at a Winter Games, and came amid the most controversy-free American performance in decades. With skier Bode Miller redeeming his cavalier performance in Turin, Team USA kept as low a profile as an athletic superpower can, predicting no wins, displaying no arrogance, celebrating with class. It was a switch no one predicted: The Canadians acted more like out-there Yanks, and the Americans acted like humble Canucks. And it helped set, for these games, a graceful tone.”

I’m sure Americans are proud of our athletes who represented us well and we’re also happy for Canada’s triumph.

What are we re-learning from the Vancouver Winter Olympics? My opinion?

1. For two weeks, there’s predictably enjoyable TV to watch each night. And, thanks, Bob Costas, for the truly great host you are.

2. Managing the Olympics is a big job, especially when the weather is not cooperating.

3. On a ten-point scale for fitness, coordination, and endurance, I might have rated myself a “6.5.” After watching mogul skiers, speed skaters, and other superb athletes, I’ve changed my rating to “3,” but I’m not giving up.

4. Most of all, it is a wonderful thing that millions of Americans are inspired by the pairs figure skating gold medalists from China, Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo. Theirs is a universal story of true love, remarkable dedication, and dazzling performance. The Olympics cause us to forget all the diplomatic difficulties we’re having with China. For two weeks, we are all connected as citizens of one small planet where world peace is still our fondest dream.

This western holiday began with a papal decree in the late Fifth Century AD. There are some who decry this holiday as “shameful.” And yet, whatever the resistance may be, the popularity of Valentine’s Day continues to grow worldwide. To most, it is a delightful day. What is its purpose? Is it a celebration of romance and love? Of course it is. Is it a day to express affection for those we each hold dear? Of course it is. It seems the whole wide world could use a little love and affection about now. So, when will you buy your boxes of chocolates and Valentine’s cards and who will you take to lunch or dinner at that special restaurant? Who will you lift up in some special way that says, “I truly care.”

My earliest remembrances of Valentine’s Day are of the various heart-shaped treats my mother would create and of my bashful delivery of Valentines to those elementary schoolgirls I thought to be my special friends. The day took on real meaning when I found my “true Valentine,” Sharon. It is a good day to remember that the love that brought us together has kept us together all these years.

Invictus is the Latin word for “unconquerable” and it is the title of a new movie starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. The movie tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar, to unite their country. I enjoy it when a genuinely inspiring movie comes along. I recently saw The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, and Quinton Aaron. Another one’s coming in January, Extraordinary Measures, with Brandon Fraser, Harrison Ford, and Keri Russell.

It was when I was first introduced to the process of computer programming that I heard the phrase “garbage in; garbage out.” This means, if you put faulty information into the computer, you get a crummy computer program. Isn’t the same true with much of life? If you put mostly junk food in your body, what do you get? You get poor health. If you think negative thoughts, what do you get? You get a bad attitude. How about movies? If you watch a crummy movie, what do you get? Nothing worthwhile. Watch a good one and you get inspiration. 

Invictus made me thankful for the courage of great leaders. The Blind Side helped to stimulate my own spirit of fairness and generosity. Thank goodness for the good movies. Thank goodness for the true stories behind them.

Is it just me or does anybody else out there sense some growing positive trends in our society–what we might even call a spiritual renewal? We still witness the political wrangling in Washington. There is still crime in the streets. And, even in a recession, materialism still gets in the way of what’s truly important. At the same time…

I just saw news coverage of elderly WWII veterans praising the valor of the younger generation of soldiers. There were also younger soliders honoring those who preceded them in battle. I also heard about a Website where teens and 20-somethings are posting photos of their parents when they were younger and also “cool.” They are acknowledging the colorfulness and the good character of their parents. I see interfaith movements where people of diverse religious backgrounds overcome their differences and unite in faith. And, have you noticed the myriad of humanitarian organizations operating throughout the world bringing transformation to communities where there is hunger and oppression?  

I conclude two things: (1) When times get a little tougher, we may reach out to each other more than when the economy is booming and zooming. (2) We also see in the world whatever we choose to look for. If we look in the darkness, we see only shadows. If we turn the lights on, we see beauty and kindness.

Tomorrow is Veteran’s Day. Recent events in Texas cause Americans to feel even more appreciation for those who put their lives on the line to protect the rest of us. We honor those veterans who preserved our liberty over the years. We are thankful for the service of those who are currently assigned in the world’s trouble spots. We are grateful to their families who share in the sacrifice they are making for their fellow Americans.

My father, Widtsoe Checketts, was a World War II pilot who served in the China-Burma-India theatre. Here is an excerpt from his diary.

“On our many trips across the Himalayan Mountains in our C-46 aircraft, we encountered the most dangerous weather in the world. On one trip in extremely turbulent air, with a cargo of metal drums containing high octane gas, a most terrifying thing happened. The aircraft’s electrical wires caught fire causing many of the instruments to malfunction; leaving us hanging up in that cold wilderness above those wicked mountain peaks. The crew chief came charging up to my cabin yelling that we would have to bail out as the plane was on fire. I called the crew up front. ‘Fellows, if we bail out we will surely freeze to death or we can ride a burning inferno about to explode over China and hope God will spare us?’ They agreed to stay aboard and fight for their lives as I added, ‘Better all get busy saying some prayers too, men!’ Apparently our high altitude helped get the message to our Maker quicker. The plane did not explode. I flew by the seat of my pants. We landed in China. I was alive. To kneel down and kiss mother earth was so wonderful to me.”

About a hundred years ago, James Whitcomb Riley wrote “When the Frost Is on the Punkin.” This delightful poem sums it all up where the autumn season is concerned.  Here’s a small excerpt to inspire you to go locate the poem in your favorite book of American poetry or on the Internet. 

“When the frost is on the punkin…
They’s something kindo’ harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer’s over and the coolin’ fall is here…”

The poem goes on to make us chuckle, to smile, and to yearn. As fall comes, there are the things we miss about summer and yet a feeling of warmth and anticipation that enters in where the things we love most are concerned. There’s also the rakin’ of leaves, the preparin’ for winter, and the fixin’ of yummy holiday foods. 

Autumn is officially the time to celebrate the harvest and to give thanks. It is a time for family.

I remember the delightful story my daughter-in-law told of one particular interaction with her eight-year-old daughter. Her daughter was about to leave for a birthday party. Mom noticed a very interesting combination of clothing items that were colorful and creatively assembled but which did not seem to match very well. She expressed her surprise. In turn, the little lady looked up at her with a very sad expression. Mom quickly tried to recover the situation by saying, “Oh, honey, I know it’s not the clothes that make the woman.” Her daughter smiled, looked at her feet, and replied, “Thanks, Mom. You’re right. It’s not the clothes. It’s the shoes.” She waved at her mom and scurried out the door. 

We live in an age when there is much competition for “what’s truly important” that makes the woman or makes the man. How well do we sort it all out? It’s an important challenge, isn’t it—to know what’s truly important?

Will power is simply this. It is an instantaneous decision to change your mind. One minute you can be sitting and then decide to stand up. One minute you can be frowning and then decide to smile. One minute you can be pushing back and then decide to stop and reach out. 

The above is an excerpt from The New American Prosperity, Essay #20 entitled, “The City of Happiness.” For the author, this city is in the state of mind. Discovering the city is about faith and will power and love.

Invitation: Consider where and how you find “The City of Happiness.”

The first American “Labor Day” was celebrated September 5, 1882. When I experience Labor Day weekend, it means two things to me…

First of all, I acknowledge the contributions to my prosperity by those who work, which includes me. Especially, I appreciate those who do the sometimes back-breaking or tedious work required to manufacture the products I like to buy and provide the services I often take for granted that make my daily life more convenient and comfortable. Thanks to those who work!

Secondly, Labor Day signals to me that it’s about time to get back to work after summer vacations, to be sure the year ends well and that we set the stage for a successful New Year to come. I enjoy the work I do.

So, let’s have a great time on Monday with family and friends and then joyfully get back to the work that makes the world go around. Let’s be thankful we have work to do and reach out to those who don’t.

Invitation: Thank your fellow workers for the work they do that benefits us all.