Daily Ramblings – Bonus Content – A Soldier’s Christmas

Tags

Christmas, Gratitude, Holidays, Sacrifice, Separation, Service, Serving Abroad, Soldiers, Thanks

Too all my brothers and sisters serving during the holidays:

A Soldier’s Christmas

Submitted By: Happytoscrapitall

The Night Before Christmas

T’was the night before Christmas, he lived all alone in a one bedroom house, made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give, and to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see: no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by the mantle, just boots filled with sand; on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, a sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary. I found the home of a soldier, at once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping; silent, alone, curled up on the floor, in this one bedroom home. Not how I pictured a US soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I’d just read, curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I saw this night, owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon ’round the world, the children would play and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom, each month of the year, because of the soldiers like the one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye; I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, “Santa, don’t cry. This life is my choice.

I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more; my life is my God, my country, my corps.”

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep; I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still, and we both shivered from the cold night’s chill.

I didn’t want to leave on that cold, dark night, this guardian of honor, so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, whispered, “Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all is secure.”

One look at my watch and I knew he was right, “Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.”

Author: A peace keeping soldier stationed overseas

Scrapbook.com I do not know who the original author of this is, but wanted to cite the website I found it on. If you, or someone knows who the original author is, please reply in the comments, I will edit this and replace it with the original copyright owner. I had to share this. It warms my heart every time I read it.

Daily Ramblings – Spread Your Wings Sunday – Weekly Challenges

Tags

Children's Charity, Do Good, Pay it Forward, Random Act of Kindness, Selfless Act, Service, Spread Your Wings, Weekly Challenge

Hey there! And welcome back!

It’s Spread Your Wings Sunday. This week’s challenges will focus on doing good for others, since we are in the gift-giving time of year.

Challenge #1 – Pay it forward for a stranger at a restaurant or coffee shop you frequent.

Challenge #2 – Donate a toy to a children’s charity.

As always, leave a comment below if you achieved one or both of these challenges!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Thankful Thursday – Grateful for Retirement

Tags

Blogging, Exercising, Grateful, Gratitude, Joy, Learning, Loving, Reading, Retirement, Service, Writing

When I was in the Army, particularly when I surpassed 10 years of service, I knew I was going to retire. It just didn’t make sense to leave the service and walk away from retirement. Boy, I’m glad I did.

I am grateful for the time I served, and if young enough, and faced with the same choices when I was younger, I’d do it all again. It was an adventure of a lifetime and it offered me the opportunity to do things I would have never had an opportunity to experience any other way.

I served in Europe for 6 years. I was in Berlin, Germany when the Berlin Wall came down. I was at the retirement ceremony for Checkpoint Charlie. I got to see Reagan give his famous “Tear down this wall” speech. So many memories.

Because of my service, my medical care is literally free for life. I had the opportunity to retire early and come home to help my folks. This has been a great thing. How many people get to celebrate their parent’s senior years? Not many. In fact, most people will never retire.

Honestly, I am not retired either. The key difference between my working life and my “retired” life is that I can do what I want. So, I am.

What do I love? I love reading. I love writing. I love exercise. I love serving. I love meeting new people and having impromptu conversations with people. I also love learning. So this is what I do every day.

What is something I discovered pretty quickly? I learned that I couldn’t just hang out and do nothing. Netflix is entertaining, but watching it all day every day—No thanks!

My military experience has bled into this retired life. I need structure. I don’t need a minute-by-minute schedule, but I need to do the same things daily. I do all the things I enjoy each day. I love blogging. I love working on my book projects. I love learning new things. All the things I do every day are an absolute joy. I hope all of you are in a position some day to do the same if you wish to.

So this is what I’m grateful for. My retirement and the new adventure I’ve embarked upon.

Have a great Thursday everybody!

Until next time…

Dave

 

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Saturday – Selfless Service

Tags

Charity, Giving, Lending a hand, Selfless Service, Service, Serving, Spiritual, spirituality

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ― John Bunyan

Courtesy Goodreads

Have you ever done something nice for someone without saying anything or expecting anything in return? The feeling you get when you do something like this is different than the feeling you get when someone knows you did them a service. It is a more complete feeling. It’s hard to explain.

Obviously, we all like being appreciated or thanked for our efforts, but doing something selflessly provides so much more. Here are some ideas for you to think about:

• Picking up someone’s trash can that has fallen over, while they’re at work
• Paying for someone’s coffee at your local coffee shop or paying for someone’s meal at a restaurant without them knowing
• Leaving a note on a colleague’s desk telling them they are awesome, loved, or terrific (I enjoyed leaving sticky notes on someone’s computer screen before they got to work)
• Picking up trash while on a hike or when you walk down your street
• Picking up something that has fallen off a shelf at your local department store
• Leaving a sticky note on someone’s car window wishing them a great day!

These are just a few examples of some things you can do that contribute. Here are some things you can do for people that can’t pay you back:

• Volunteer to work at a homeless shelter or Food Kitchen
• Volunteer to work at your local library
• Help someone when they’ve broken down along the side of the road
• Get some food for a homeless person
• Deliver a holiday basket to a military recruiting station, police station, or fire house

These are just examples of the service you can give to other people. You’ll feel terrific when you’ve done these things and the people on the receiving end will feel good too. I prefer to do things when people don’t know that I’ve done it. The feeling you get back when you do something out of pure love for people is a great thing. It really is.

I wish each of you a terrific Saturday.

Until next time…

Dave

 

 

Daily Ramblings – Thankful Thursday – There is Always a Way

Tags

Contented, Grateful, Happy, Service, Solutions, Thankful, There is always a way

“Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.”

Ralph Marston

I’m sitting in an easy chair with my laptop, composing this posting. It is humid today, with an expectation of rain later on. While I write, I take the time to think. I think about the peacefulness in my work area. I think about how comfortable my chair is. I think about all the terrific things I have access to on my laptop. Life is good.

When I take time to contemplate the blessings in my life, a feeling of peace washes over me. It is a child-like feeling, knowing all is where it should be, and there is nothing to worry about. During these times I am compelled to give of myself, realizing that the giving of service to life is more important than receiving anything.

My wife and I get together on Skype a few times a week. For those of you who do not know it, I had to retire early to come home and help out my parents. My Dad was diagnosed with dementia a few years back and he has started the downhill slide that anyone with these types of disease experiences. I did not want my wife to miss out on a teaching career she dedicated so much of her life to. Thus, she is in Arizona teaching and I am here helping out my folks. I love her so much.

Anyway, my Dad cannot be left alone anymore and gave up driving in 2016. This situation requires either me or Mom staying here when one of us has errands to run or events to go to. When both of us have to go somewhere, my sister comes down and hangs out with Dad.

Some would look at my situation and feel sad about it. I do not. My wife is doing well, and we stay in touch all the time. I also write her letters each month to keep her updated on things here, and she tells me what’s going on with our stepdaughters and her teaching there. It is tough sometimes because I miss her so much, but the connection between us is strong. We are doing what we have to. I am grateful for her.

Some would look at my life and think it was horrible luck that has struck us. I do not. Life hands us all kinds of things to deal with and we have chosen to deal with it in our own way—a way that allows both of us to do what we have to. We chose to stay together, supporting one another, loving one another. Our situation reminded me of so many veterans of WWII who were separated from their loved ones for many years. The only thing they could do was write letters, some of which, would take months to get to one another because of the unpredictable mail system in the military at the time. They made it. This led me to believe we could do the same, when my situation at home struck. The difference, we can talk and video chat anytime we want. It is an awesome benefit to be able to see one another and talk to one another anytime we wish.

If you are in a situation that you believe is untenable, take some time to think about potential solutions that are available to you. There is always a solution. There is always a way. 

Well, I’ll end this here. I hope each of you is having a terrific Wednesday.

Until next time…

Dave

 

Daily Ramblings – Wisdom Wednesday – Giving of Yourself

Tags

Giving, Help, Humility, Love, Selflessness, Service, Smile, Wisdom Wednesday

Yesterday was one of those days when everything was just right. It was my Mom’s birthday. She opened her gifts and her cards. We took her out to dinner. My brother, sister, and niece called. I think she enjoyed the calls the most.

I spent time helping my wife study for a teaching credential she needs to pass by December. She works really hard and is putting everything she has into it. I love her.

“Before you can improve your life and find a measure of happiness, you must learn to do one thing every day out of pure love. That means, don’t expect anything in return—neither thanks nor happiness. Pick that occasion carefully. Then, whatever that one act of giving of yourself to someone else is, do it with all your heart.” — Harold Klemp — The Language of Soul.

Giving of yourself does not need to be a grand event. It could be as simple as cleaning up some trash in front of your neighbor’s home. It could be smiling at a young child in front of you at the grocery store line. It could be leaving a bigger tip when you eat out. It could be writing a letter to your folks or siblings. Giving of yourself brings a great warmth inside. It is hard to describe.

Serving someone else, without any expectation is a terrific thing. It is the selflessness of the act that is the most important. You just do something with no expectation. This selfless act will shrink your ego. It will humble you. It will calm you. It will improve your self esteem. It will open your heart.

If you’re down in the dumps, feeling lost, or depressed, try serving someone else. Strike up a conversation with a stranger, you may be the only person they talk with today. Smile at people. It may be the only smile they get today. Help someone. It may be the only time in their life that someone took the time to help them today. You may never know what a difference you made in someone’s life, but you will have made a difference.

I think I’ll end here. I hope all of you have a terrific Wednesday. As always…

Until next time…

Dave

 

Daily Ramblings – Thankful Thursday – Life

Tags

experiences, Foreign Lands, Joy, Jury Duty, Learning, Life, Service, Travels

Thanks to all my new followers this week. I am always thankful for even one new person who follows Daily Ramblings. It is a real treat.

Today I am thankful for my life. I have had so many experiences that have contributed to who I am today. I was thinking about my 20 years in the Army and the opportunity to serve my country in multiple capacities. I was thankful for the places that service allowed me to see. I am grateful for all the people I met, and the friendships made.

I am grateful for the great times I had in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. I am grateful for the experience of living in these places and learning more about the people that lived there. I am grateful for these experiences and how they helped me grow as a human being.

When I look back over my life, I have a deep gratitude for everything that has happened. Each event added to who I am today. I would change nothing. Every single thing that I have gone through—be it good or bad—was necessary. My life has been one grand adventure that continues to bring new experiences every day.

This week, I had my first opportunity to experience jury duty. I have been selected before, but never actually picked to come into the courthouse. It was an interesting experience. The people I met were nice and the experience overall was great. I spent two days there because the previous day was interrupted quite a bit by a previous jury’s deliberations and the judge had to bring us back to finalize jury selection. It was nice hanging out with the people there and getting to know a few of them.

Well, that’s it for now, folks. Have a great week!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Memorial Day – Thank God You Lived

Tags

Always Remembered, Good life, Grateful, Memorial Day, Reverance, Sacrifice, Service, Thankful

Image by Jackie Williamson from Pixabay 

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.” – George S. Patton

Today is Memorial Day. It is a day that honors those who have fallen to preserve and defend our way of life in the United States. Many confuse Memorial Day with Veteran’s day. Memorial day is for the fallen. Veteran’s Day is about those who have fallen or served during conflict.

Like the quote above states, I do not mourn the loss of men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for God and country. I celebrate them. I honor their memory. I am grateful for all the men and women who served because they volunteered. Yeah, some were drafted, some had no choice, but they came nonetheless. They served. They left their families; they left their children, wives and husbands, sisters and brothers. They left their lives, their pets, and their friends. They did it all out of a sense of duty.

Today’s posting will be short because there is really nothing else to say, other than “Thank you” for the service you provided–a service that many do not want to provide.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Saturday

Tags

Achievement, Goal Setting, Harold Klemp, improvement, plus factor, Service

“One of the principles, or laws, of Divine Spirit is that there is always one more step. There is always one more heaven.” —Harold Klemp The Language of Soul

I believe in this quote. I think the universe would be boring if there was a place where no more improvement was possible. Think about that for a moment. I remember watching an episode of the Twilight Zone when I was a kid. This gangster was killed and went to “heaven”. As time passed, he started to become bored. Everything he did was perfect, he won at the gambling tables in heaven, he had all the good-looking girls, he had whatever he wanted. It finally dawned on him to ask the question: “This isn’t heaven is it?” and a man in a white suit, playing the part of the Devil, laughed insanely. The episode ended at that point. I think a heaven that existed, without any possibility of improving ourselves beyond what we achieve during our life, would be like this episode.

Improvement is gratifying. Improvement is motivating. Improvement shows us how we’ve grown through our own efforts. Without improvement, we stagnate. I don’t ever want to be in that position. I hope you don’t either.

Choose what you want to be good at. Set a goal. Set a date. Measure your progress. At some point, you’ll arrive. Then set another one.

Goals carry us forward and drive us to achieve things we didn’t think we could. This improvement also allows us to better support ourselves, help others, and build a skill. Achieving our goals is both challenging and rewarding. It is a self-perpetuating process, once you see even the smallest success. Whether you are in the gym, in your office, or at home, there is always one more thing we can improve for the better.

I hope all of you are having a terrific Saturday!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Wisdom Wednesday

Tags

Altruism, Asking the Question, Helping Others, Service

“By asking, you have reached out and taken the initiative—a first step that will lead you to the next answer.”—Harold Klemp The Language of Soul

Are you stuck? Are you facing a challenge or difficulty that you just don’t know how to solve?

Take a few moments, close your eyes, and be quiet for a moment. Take a few deep breaths and focus on your breathing. Once you have settled down a bit, ask the question you have. Take a few more deep breaths and focus on your breathing. If the answer comes, write it down. If not, let go of your question and go about your day. Use this exercise a few times over the next week or so, paying attention to any intuitive thoughts that come through. Write them down.

The answers to your questions are out there. In conjunction with the above exercise, pay attention to the things you hear and the things you see. No idea is a bad one, always write them down.

Once you have collected a few items on your list begin to go through each one to see if it will help you solve your problem. Put a star next to or highlight the ideas you have received that may contribute to solving your problem.

It is important that you write down each idea that comes to you. Some of the ideas you will receive may not make any sense initially but give it time. Once you receive your answer, take your time to put together a plan, using the answer as a way of developing your plan. Once your plan is in place—execute.

This may seem like witchcraft or some weird metaphysical trick, but it works. We are all connected. Someone in the universe has had the same problem you have. Reach out for answers they will come. Just remember the importance of each idea. Do not discount any of them, regardless of how ridiculous they may appear at first.

I believe we are all here in this reality to learn. We are here to learn about ourselves and become self-sufficient beings. It is important to become self-sufficient so you can be able to better serve others. Service is the key to all we are about. Serving others is about making another person’s life just a little easier, but don’t infringe. Help people when they ask, serve people by doing the little things. This service will pay HUGE dividends. Altruism is not self-sacrificing, it is self-building.

Happy hump day!

Until next time…

Dave