Yesterday was Memorial Day in the United States and I had decided to take the time to look up the history of this honored day. I mean, I knew that it was a day we were to remember our service men and women who gave their lives while serving our country. But for some reason, this year I wanted to know more about this legal holiday that is recognized around our nation and is celebrated with parades and special events.
As I searched the seemingly unlimited Internet highway, I stumbled upon a little gem of a site that briefly explained the origin of Memorial Day. Originally this day was called “Decoration Day” since many women and men would decorate the graves of their loved ones who had died while serving our country.
Then I read how there were many stories that claimed to be the “actual beginnings” for the existence of Memorial Day, as well as those who had first recognized this day. What really touched me, however, was that this same site also mentioned one important truth that many people tend to forget. Not just in regards to Memorial Day, but also in regards to many circumstance or events that happen in and around the world today.
The truth that I read was this, “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.” *
When I read this, I thought “WOW”! Not only was that a beautiful truth when celebrating Memorial Day, but it is a truth that can be applied to many other events or circumstances. Sometimes we tend to get lost in the “what’s”, “where’s”, “when’s”, and “why’s”. While being inquisitive can, at times, be beneficial, some people tend to loose focus on what is really important at a given moment.
Imagine for a moment another event or circumstance that this statement could apply to. One that I thought of was simply, “Life”. If this statement were in reference to “Life”, it would go like this: “It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Life was established. Life is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.”
I ask each of you to write this statement down and either post it up, carry it with you, or if you are feeling really wild, do both. The next time you find yourself in a situation where you are focusing on why something is the way it is, or who founded it first, think of this statement. Does all the past “when’s” and “why’s” really matter at this moment? Sometimes the answer may be yes. But sometimes, you may find that the past reasons do not matter as much as simply acknowledging and honoring a special event or circumstance as it is…..in that moment.
Hoping everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend!!
* - quote was found on the site: www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html (David Merchant)
As I searched the seemingly unlimited Internet highway, I stumbled upon a little gem of a site that briefly explained the origin of Memorial Day. Originally this day was called “Decoration Day” since many women and men would decorate the graves of their loved ones who had died while serving our country.
Then I read how there were many stories that claimed to be the “actual beginnings” for the existence of Memorial Day, as well as those who had first recognized this day. What really touched me, however, was that this same site also mentioned one important truth that many people tend to forget. Not just in regards to Memorial Day, but also in regards to many circumstance or events that happen in and around the world today.
The truth that I read was this, “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.” *
When I read this, I thought “WOW”! Not only was that a beautiful truth when celebrating Memorial Day, but it is a truth that can be applied to many other events or circumstances. Sometimes we tend to get lost in the “what’s”, “where’s”, “when’s”, and “why’s”. While being inquisitive can, at times, be beneficial, some people tend to loose focus on what is really important at a given moment.
Imagine for a moment another event or circumstance that this statement could apply to. One that I thought of was simply, “Life”. If this statement were in reference to “Life”, it would go like this: “It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Life was established. Life is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.”
I ask each of you to write this statement down and either post it up, carry it with you, or if you are feeling really wild, do both. The next time you find yourself in a situation where you are focusing on why something is the way it is, or who founded it first, think of this statement. Does all the past “when’s” and “why’s” really matter at this moment? Sometimes the answer may be yes. But sometimes, you may find that the past reasons do not matter as much as simply acknowledging and honoring a special event or circumstance as it is…..in that moment.
Hoping everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend!!
* - quote was found on the site: www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html (David Merchant)
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