Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Elaine's Vision: Just Doing What Had To Be Done

Elaine's Vision: Just Doing What Had To Be Done

Just Doing What Had To Be Done

When we are confronted with choices during a disaster it takes the strong and loving nature of the human soul to do what is right.

I had tears running down my face as I watched this video. The caring love, compassion and concern for others during a time of need brought together those that were willing to step up and say, "I have to do this." 
This video was posted on YouTube on September 7, 2011. Let's make sure that we honor those involved by passing this on to as many others as we possibly can.

Copied from posting on YouTube: "Tom Hanks narrates the epic story of the 9/11 boatlift that evacuated half a million people from the stricken piers and seawalls of Lower Manhattan. Produced and directed by Eddie Rosenstein. Eyepop Productions, Inc.

BOATLIFT was executive produced by Stephen Flynn and Sean Burke and premiered on September 8th at the 9/11 Tenth Anniversary Summit: Remembrance/Renewal/Resilience in Washington. The Summit kicked off a national movement to foster community and national resilience in the face of future crises. See www.road2resilience.org to become a part of the campaign to build a more resilient world. The film was made with the generous support by philanthropist Adrienne Arsht, Chairman Emerita, TotalBank (www.arsht.com)"



I would love to hear what you think about this video so please leave a comment below. Also, please do share this post with others. 

A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward.
~~ William John Bennett
With loving gratitude to all those that stepped up and did what had to be done. May God Bless You

Friday, September 9, 2011

9/11 10th Anniversary Tribute


Ten years ago, Tuesday, September 11, 2011, will forever be implanted in our minds and lives.

Shanksville, PA: field
New York, NY: Twin Towers
Arlington, VA: Pentagon

Deaths (excluding hijackers) (Source: Wikipedia)
New York City World Trade Center: 2,606; American 11:
87; United 175: 60; Arlington Pentagon: 125;
American 77: 59; Shanksville United 93 40

Total Deaths: 2,977 

9/11 The Falling Man
This video is a little over an hour long. It has been watched close to 7 million intense times. It tells the story of the falling man that many of us watched with pain in our heart and shock and horror engulfing our very being.

Do remember that this is not the only person that was pictured falling from the highest floors of the Twin Towers. The remembrance of seeing and watching such as this brings heavy pressure to the chest of all of us. This was not an act of cowardiness. Have you ever stopped to think what you would have done?  

If you decide to watch this video be sure to watch it all the way through because at the end it brings out an immense truth.

You will have tears in your eyes as I did. You will have feelings that you wish you had never felt. Hopefully you will have an understanding that we do not need the answers to all of our questions.

It also tells the story of non-acceptance of reality.


This Sunday, September 11, 2011 marks the tenth year since that day that many of us can't find the words to describe. I remember where I was. I remember how I found out about the attack. I remember the uncontrollable feelings that took over my body and felt like my very soul had been ripped out of me.

We were attacked in four different ways. All resulting in thousands being killed. And we are still allowing ourselves to be attracked.

There was shock taking over every speck of my being. A shock that had never been there before. Tears came streaming down like rapids of water which seemed to have no end. I was permanently glued to the horrific pictures that were being displayed across my TV screen.

As I set on my couch watching the towers fall I could only scream, "My God, My God." And then I realized that I was not screaming out loud. I was screaming to the top of my being inside.

Then anguish and despair along with hate mixed with tears and disbelief became my refuge. Later the hate turned to anger. Anger that any living, breathing human being could perform such a horrible act. That anger has not left to this day. It still remains.

I don't care who it is. What country does it. What group of people are involved. This is not forgettable. I refuse to forget. I will not forget.

I may be able with God's mercy and grace be able to forgive but I will forever despise the arrogance and hatred that is still being shown toward us to this day. Why? Because this was not only an act against this country, it was a sinful act against other human beings and souls. Not only an act against this country but the whole world that believes in human freedom and love for all mankind.

An act that reaps of arrogance and control. An act against humanity itself. An act against freedom. An act against love for all mankind. An arrogance of total self-centeredness.

We have seen this before in Nazi Germany and other countries to this day and peoples that have grown to believe that others are worth being slaughtered because they don't believe like that should or live like someone thinks they should live. Therefore they are inferior and worthless in the eyes of beholders.

Having stated all of this, I now stand firm in my believe that the war our people are fighting is in this country not across the oceans. We may not have such a horrible act as occurred on September 11, 2001, placed upon us again but the acts of aggression are among us.

9/11 10th Anniversary Tribute


My heart and prayers go out to the families and friends that lost love ones on this day. I thank God for those that stepped up and helped during those concrete smoked filled days. I thank God for all those still fighting for the rights of us all. Let our prayers be true and our minds be set forward on a better time. Remember that those who put their life in harm's way against evil and destruction will someday be rewarded with victory.

Join me this Sunday, September 11, 2011 with prayers that ring through the events at ground zero. The mayor of New York has declared that NO prayers will be heard from  anyone attending. Let's show him that millions of voices will not go unheard. The one thing that helped so many around the world on that horrible day was the ability to pray. Prayer was and is our strength and we shall never allow anyone to take that away from us. NO ONE.

God Bless You

Elaine

I have opened up and stated my thoughts. If you would like to state your feelings please feel free to leave a comment below. All I ask is that you keep your words civil.















Saturday, September 3, 2011

Labor Day 2011

A Day To Honor Our Workers

In 1894 Labor Day became a national holiday and the first Monday in September was set.The first Labor Day was actually observed in 1882. It has been called the "workingmen's holiday" since 1884. Oregon was the first state to pass a law designating this day as a holiday. Soon many other states followed by passing legislation making Labor Day a holiday.



"It became a federal holiday in 1894, when, following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland reconciled with the labor movement. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike." Source 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day


Labor Day is founded in the labor movement of the 1800s. Who first started this day is held in question. Some say that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners was the first to come up with the idea. Others say that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday.

Labor Day is suppose to be a day of rest for our labor force. A day to relax, have fun and celebrate with family and friends. Here is a song to express this idea: Labor Day 2011 Relaxing Music Acoustic Guitar Solo 4. Hope you enjoy and be sure to sit back and take a relaxing breath while watching.


"The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker." Source: http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm 

I wish all a safe and fun holiday weekend.





Elaine