Memorial Day

Memorial Day is officially celebrated on the last Monday during the month of May. Memorial Day is dedicated to service men and women who gave their lives for freedom and country. It is also a time to remember loved ones who have passed away. The roots of Memorial Day go back to 1865 and the end of the Civil War.
Memorial Day was traditionally held on the 30th of May. In 1971, Congress changed it to the last Monday in order to afford a three day holiday weekend. Regardless of the date, I encourage you to attend a parade, visit a cemetery to honor and remember our servicemen.  Take time to remember lost loved ones in whatever way you feel appropriate.

Memorial Day was first called Decoration Day. It was changed to Memorial Day in 1882. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day.

 It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day also marks the beginning of the gardening and summer seasons, even though summer will not occur for a few weeks later. It is usually marked by holding the first family picnic of the year.

Here's to a Happy Healthy 2012

Well we are leaping into this year, okay it’s Leap year. February gets an extra day and it just throws off all the other holidays this year.  That being said, it shall be my only complaint.

I have decided that I am taking this new Leap year in a more positive attitude. Okay I can already hear all those “yeah right” comments coming through the internet.  I am really going to make the extra effort; I am not getting any younger and stress will just kill you. So to combat the stress I am working to give as much cheer as one possibly can this year.

I have started sending out little Day of Recognition notices to my fellow co-workers. For example, I think everyone should be observing this Sunday, January 8^th, Bubble Bath Day.  We can all use a nice hot quiet bubble bath; personally I want mine with a nice glass of Amaretto on the rocks.

The point is we tend to take our busy corporate ruled lives too seriously. We let the corporations dictate how we live our lives. We need to take a step back and take it one day at a time. Tomorrow is another day and the Goddesses willing we will be here to carry on with our duties.

Everyone needs to find that special hobby, activity that lets you unwind at the end of the work day or week.  We have to put an honest effort in sticking to a schedule to unwind and distress.  Even if you chose an activity to go outside and scream; do it on a regular schedule. The benefit of stress relief will make you feel better as a person, not to mention the overall health benefit.

Not only will the lower stress level work for you as an individual but the benefit it will provide to your family, co-workers and just the man on the street will be enormous.

For me I am going to be dancing the stress away, hopefully by creating my own new dance class in Tennessee. Here is to a great 2012, may everyone have a happy healthy new year.

Remember the first Friday 13^th is next Friday... it is Make Your Dream Come True Day!!! So Dream Big!