Every Monday Matters - Save Lives! Donate Blood!

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By erintard

Save Lives! Donate Blood!

FACTS

- Every 2 seconds someone needs blood.

- 38,000 pints of blood are used each day in the U.S.

- Nearly 500 hospitals cancelled elective surgery due to blood inventory shortages.

- Demand for blood is rising much faster than donations. In fact, donations are declining.

- 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives—maybe even the life of someone you know.

- 60% of the population is eligible to donate, but only 3.2% do on a yearly basis.

- The #1 reason donors say they give is because they “want to help others.”

- Anyone who is in good health, is at least 17 years old, and weighs at least 110 pounds may donate blood every 56 days. View a full list of eligibility requirements online at:  http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements


TAKE ACTION TODAY/THIS WEEK!

+ Find a blood donor location near you and schedule an appointment today.

+ Donate blood. The blood donation process takes approximately 30 minutes.

+ When you donate, you’ll receive a donor card stating your blood type. Keep the card in your wallet.

+ Put yourself on a regular donating schedule of once every 56 days.

+ If you have type O-negative blood, the universal donor type, your blood is especially needed because it can be used in emergencies.


YOU MATTER

There is no substitute for human blood. Human blood is precious and can’t be manufactured outside of the body. If you gave blood 4 times a year for the next 10 years, you would save 120 lives. Think of how many lives you could save if you gave blood for the rest of your life! Saving just one life should be convincing enough.


What is the Every Monday Matters program?

Monday used to be the least favorite day of the week, but that is changing. EMM is based on the idea that Every Monday people can make a difference in their life and the lives of those around them. No matter how big or small the actions, they matter. And not only do people have the power to make change, they have a social responsibility to do so. Not out of guilt, but out of an appreciation for every living thing in the world. Together, each person can make a difference in the world and raise the collective consciousness, thereby creating a legacy worth participating in…one Monday at a time.

For more information about the EMM movement visit: http://www.everymondaymatters.com/
 

MOM’S EMPTY CHAIR

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sodahead.com

MOM'S EMPTY CHAIR

A woman's daughter had asked the local minister

to come and pray with her mother.

When the minister arrived,

he found the woman lying in bed with her head

propped up on two pillows.

An empty chair sat beside her bed.

The minister assumed that the woman

had been informed of his visit...

'I guess you were expecting me, he said.

'No, who are you?' said the mother.

The minister told her his name and then remarked,

'I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew

I was going to show up..'

'Oh yeah, the chair,' said the bedridden woman

'Would you mind closing the door?'

Puzzled, the minister shut the door.

'I have never told anyone this,

not even my daughter,' said the woman.

'But all of my life I have never

known how to pray.

At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer,

but it went right over my head...'

I abandoned any attempt at prayer,'

the old woman continued, '

until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me,

' Prayer is just a simple matter

of having a conversation with Jesus.

Here is what I suggest..

'Sit down in a chair;

place an empty chair in front of you,
and in faith see Jesus on the chair.

It's not spooky because he promised,

'I will be with you always'..

'Then just speak to him in the same way

you're doing with me right now...'

'So, I tried it and I've liked it so much

that I do it a couple of hours every day.

I'm careful though.If my daughter saw me talking

to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown

or send me off to the funny farm.'

The minister was deeply moved by the story and

encouraged the old woman to continue on the journey.

Then he prayed with her, anointed her with oil,

and returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called

to tell the minister that her mama

had died that afternoon.

Did she die in peace?' he asked.

Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock,

she called me over to her bedside,

told me she loved me and kissed me on the cheek.

When I got back from the store an hour later,

I found her .

But there was something strange about her death.

Apparently, just before Mom died,

she leaned over and rested her head on the chair

beside the bed. What do you make of that?'

The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said,

'I wish we could all go like that.'

Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.

I asked God for water, He gave me an ocean.*

I asked God for a flower, He gave me a garden.*

I asked God for a friend, He gave me all of YOU...

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Happy moments, praise God.

Difficult moments, seek God.

Quiet moments, worship God

Painful moments, trust God.

Every moment, thank God.

~ Author Unknown

Send the ACLU a CHRISTMAS CARD this year.

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What a clever idea someone had! Yes, Christmas cards. This is coming early so that you can get ready to include an important address to your list.

Want to have some fun this CHRISTMAS?

Send the ACLU a CHRISTMAS CARD this year.

As they are working so very hard to get rid of the CHRISTMAS part of this holiday, we should all send them a nice, card to brighten up their dark, sad, little world. Make sure it says "Merry Christmas" on it.

Here's the address, just don't be rude or crude:

ACLU
125 Broad Street , 18th Floor
New York , NY 10004


Two tons of Christmas cards would freeze their operations because they wouldn't know if any were regular mail containing contributions. So spend 44 cents and tell the ACLU to leave Christmas alone. Also tell them that there is no such thing as a " Holiday Tree". It's always been called a CHRISTMAS TREE!

And pass this on to your email lists. We really want to communicate with the ACLU! They really DESERVE us!!

For those of you who aren't aware of them, the ACLU, (the American Civil Liberties Union) is the one suing the U.S. Government to take God, Christmas or anything religious away from us. They represent the atheists and others in this war. Help put Christ back in Christmas!

Facebook Fan Page

LINKS:
Keep Christ in Christmas
KC Nativity.com
http://www.homeschooled-kids.com/christinchristmas.html
Keep-Christ-in-CHRISTmas facebook fan page

Half Full Friday & Aloha Friday weekly question

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"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." -Melody Beattie

Half Full Friday is a series of weekly posts that Eye Girl originally started in June 2009.  Now the it is hosted by Sprinkles at Wyldechylde.  We believe that a lot of our happiness is determined by our attitude about the things that happen to us. So by participating, we are deciding to see the glass as half full, instead of half empty. We are choosing to concentrate on the positives, instead of dwelling on the negatives. Our Half Full Friday posts are a way to do just that. They are a list of the things in our life that have brought us happiness over the past week. We are determined to find the something good in every day. Are you?

"Happiness held is the seed; happiness shared is the flower." ~Author Unknown

For the next week, we challenge you to keep a list of at least one thing that brought you happiness each day.

"A happy thought is like a seed that sows positivity for all to reap." ~Miriam Muhammad

This is what I'm Happy for this week:

• I'm happy for the awesome award from 'our' friend, Yvonne @ Welcome to my World of Poetry.  She is the sweetest lady ever!

• I'm happy for numerous & awesome conversations with all 3 of my sons'!  & that they will all be home for Christmas!

• I'm happy for a wonderful & unique Thanksgiving with mom and youngest son!  It was a very nice day! 

• I also got an apology from Sandy @ Words of Wisdom for forgetting my Blog of Note post from Wednesday and posted it today.  Sorry for anyone who visited and couldn't find me.  However all your beautiful comments brought tears and much appreciation.  Love you All!! :-)

"Happiness is a matter of one's most ordinary and everyday mode of consciousness being busy and lively and unconcerned with self." ~Iris Murdoch

It's also "ALOHA FRIDAY" Everyone!!  If you want to join in the fun? Post your own question on your blog and leave your link at the Aloha Friday post at An Island Life. Then you can visit the other participants if you wish...It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends or see what people are thinking about this week and join in a conversation or two if you like.

"Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting." ~  Author Unknown

My question:  What is the craziest thing you ever did to get someone the 'perfect' gift?

My answer:   I camped out ALL night in front of a Target store for the release of the Xbox when it first came out for my middle son's birthday.  There were over 100 people when the store opened and Only 10 X-box units.  I was 3rd in line.  So glad the store handed out the 10 vouchers to us... and sent everyone else away... before unlocking the doors at 6am that morning.  No 'rushing' the store, fighting or injuries. 

This was many years ago.  I made some new friends that night and had a good time.  However, I realize now just how dangerous that was and would never do it today.  I have to add though, that my son was so surprised and very appreciative.  He still remembers that present!

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." -William Arthur Ward

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Love & Hugs!

~ Coreen

Happy Thanksgiving!!

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"Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life... a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year - and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God." ~Ray Stannard Baker

THANKSGIVING

T is for the trust the pilgrims had so many years ago

H is for the harvest the settlers learnt to grow

A is for America, the land in which we live

N is for nature and beauty which she gives

K is for kindness, gentle words, thoughtful deeds

S is for smiles, the sunshine everyone needs

G is for gratitude... our blessings big and small

I is for ideas, letting wisdom grow tall

V is for voices, singing, laughing, always caring

I is for Indians, who taught them about sharing

N is for neighbors, across the street, over the sea

G is for giving of myself to make a better me

by Judith.A. Lindberg

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." ~ Oprah Winfrey

google.image

"Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds." ~Theodore Roosevelt

We Give Thanks

Our Father in Heaven,

We give thanks for the pleasure

Of gathering together for this occasion.

We give thanks for this food

Prepared by loving hands.

We give thanks for life,

The freedom to enjoy it all

And all other blessings.

As we partake of this food,

We pray for health and strength

To carry on and try to live as You would have us.

This we ask in the name of Christ,

Our Heavenly Father.

by: Harry Jewell

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Thanksgiving Day.org

"Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse." ~ Henry Van Dyke

Blogger of Note (BON)... from 'Words of Wisdom'

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Great Inspirational Quotes.com

I am very Happy and Honored that my blog has been selected for "Blogger of Note" by Sandy and Pam @ Words of Wisdom!  It is being featured on Wednesday, November 24th.  The day before Thanksgiving...how appropriate because I am very thankful!  Thank you Sandy & Pam for this honor and a special thank you to Vanessa @ Optimal Optimist for the WOW nomination! 

To my regular followers, please visit Words of Wisdom and see the truly inspiring blogs they feature 3 times a week.  You will love what you find!

To those who have found my blog through Words of Wisdom (WOW), Welcome and Thank You for your visit!!  I hope you read, comment and get inspired!!

As part of being selected, I was to pick some recent blog post to feature here today.  For many reasons, I am going with post that I poured my heart and soul into recently.  I hope you enjoy them and I also hope that featuring them again will help give someone new to my blog... the insight, strength, hope or the inspiration they may need today.  

Hoping that Autism Awareness brings Compassion and Understanding
http://velvetoversteel.blogspot.com/2010/03/hoping-that-autism-awareness-brings.html

What does Love mean to you?
http://velvetoversteel.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-does-love-mean-to-you.html

Living a Lie
http://velvetoversteel.blogspot.com/2010/11/living-lie.html

She is crazy... but she is Smart
http://velvetoversteel.blogspot.com/2010/11/she-is-crazybut-very-smart.html

Silencing the Violence of Verbal Abuse
http://velvetoversteel.blogspot.com/2010/08/silencing-violence-of-verbal-abuse.html

When and How to Leave Unhealthy Relationships
http://velvetoversteel.blogspot.com/2011/02/when-and-how-to-leave-unhealthy.html

Waiting for the 'One'
http://velvetoversteel.blogspot.com/2010/01/finding-that-one-right-man.html

Knowledge Changes Things
http://velvetoversteel.blogspot.com/2011/07/knowledge-changes-things.html#axzz2MiyR3oYF

Betrayal Has Many Forms
http://velvetoversteel.blogspot.com/2010/02/betrayal-can-have-many-forms.html#axzz20kHxvo7w

For those of you that don't know, I'm an Asperger Syndrome parent and advocate. I'm also a domestic abuse survivor and single-parent... although I only have one of my three awesome sons still at home.
I had wanted to write about my life experiences for a very long time. Finally, with the the encouragement and support of great friends who believed in me, I started writing 'publicly' almost a year ago when I started this blog. It has been my therapy and passion every since!

I have enormous compassion and understanding for others, which has lead to my passion for helping people most of my life through various jobs, church and community service. With this blog and my writing about my own life experiences, I've been able to connect with so many people. Guiding parents to special needs resources and giving others the strength to leave bad relationships, heal and move on. This experience of helping others through my blog has been more rewarding than I ever imagined.

Thank you all for visiting my blog!

Blessings & Many Hugs,
Coreen

"If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it, and let it become you and you will find great things happen FOR you, TO you and BECAUSE of you." ~ T. Alan Armstrong

 

Every Monday Matters - Write a Letter to a U.S. Military Hero this holiday season!

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 "In war, there are no unwounded soldiers." ~José Narosky

EveryMondayMatter.com

 "Freedom is never free." ~Author Unknown

FACTS

There are over 2.9 million active, reserve, and civilian men and women in the U.S. military.

Hundreds of thousands of American troops are deployed indefinitely in remote parts of the world, including the Middle East, Afghanistan, Africa, the Korean Peninsula and on ships throughout international waters.

U.S. service members are deployed for long periods away from home. They love receiving good wishes and words of appreciation and support, even from total strangers.

Letters are the most requested item by U.S. military men and women.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

Select a soldier you know or one who is related to someone you know.

If you don’t know a soldier, ask a friend, fellow student, co-worker, pastor, or military chaplain to help you make a connection. Make sure they provide proper mailing instructions.

Grab some paper, an envelope, and a pen.

Write a letter from your heart that expresses your gratitude, shows your support, and provides encouragement. Share a little bit about yourself as well as ask questions about the person you’re writing. Avoid such topics as death, killing, and politics.

• Send a free postcard to soldier.
• Send an email to soldier.
• Send mail to an anonymous soldier.
• Donate a book to a soldier. 

Include your e-mail or mailing address in case the recipient wants to write back. You could even include a self-addressed envelope.

Send the letter.

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." ~Elmer Davis

YOU MATTER

Our military protects our nation’s freedom, and, regardless of your political affiliation and whether or not you believe in war, these brave men and women need to know that we appreciate their sacrifices and service. With a simple card or letter, you can brighten the day of a soldier who is overseas ensuring your freedom. Your letter might be the only thing that makes that soldier smile that day.   Remember them especially during the Holidays while you are here 'safe' with family and friends.

"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." ~Cynthia Ozick

LINKS:
Lets Say Thanks.com
USAFNS.com
A Million Thanks.org
Books for Soldiers.com

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." ~William Arthur Ward 

 
What is the Every Monday Matters program?

Monday used to be the least favorite day of the week, but that is changing. EMM is based on the idea that every Monday people can make a difference in their life and the lives of those around them. No matter how big or small the actions, they matter. And not only do people have the power to make change, they have a social responsibility to do so. Not out of guilt, but out of an appreciation for every living thing in the world. Together, each person can make a difference in the world and raise the collective consciousness, thereby creating a legacy worth participating in…one Monday at a time.

For more information about the EMM movement visit: http://www.everymondaymatters.com/