Remembering/Being Thankful: Remembrance Day, November 11

Today my thoughts are of our courageous soldiers both past and present (and endless in-advance thanks to our future soldiers – you are choosing to do something so noble and unselfish and heroic that we can never even begin to repay you). My thoughts are of people who are loved ones of mine, and also of people who I have never met. My thoughts are of the families of soldiers, for you are amazing and have to bear things no one should have to bear. Some of our loved ones did not and will not make it home, and some have and will make it home. To all of you, I am sending positive thoughts, wishes and prayers. My thoughts are for everyone, not just those who are Canadian. If we remember only Canadians today, then we are forgetting the many others who join us, those from other countries who fight the same fight, who try to make this world a better, safer, freer place.

I feel strongly that it is necessary to say what is on one’s mind – and what is on my mind is the emotion that I feel today. It is important for our health and wellbeing to express ourselves and let out what must be let out. I feel this is something that needs to be said. We must be thankful every day for the freedoms that we have - not just on November 11 or when a news story comes on the television - but every day, since it is every day that we enjoy them, and every day that there is someone who is making them possible for us to enjoy. I wear my poppy this week, but other days when it is not pinned to my coat I feel its presence still. I feel blessed to be Canadian, to live in such an amazing and beautiful country, to experience true freedom. I live in a place where I can voice my opinions without fear of being jailed or killed or ostracized from my community. I can be straight or gay without fear of discrimination or hatred. I can vote in elections and can support any candidate I choose, who I believe to be the best leader. I can practice a religion or choose not to and can do so in peace. I can have a friend, lover or spouse in anyone I choose, and I know the relationship is consensual and lovely and my business alone. I can live wherever I choose. I can have a fair trial if I do wrong. I can get an education so that I might better myself and others as well, whose lives I might touch. I can think and feel and express what I think and feel. I am equal to all of you. I can do and be all of these things and more because others protect these rights and freedoms.

So, this blog was not directly about a health topic, but I feel its importance is related to everything that we have and everything that we do. We wouldn’t have a free place in which to be healthy if not for those who fight for us. We wouldn’t have access to healthcare - there are many people in this world who do not, so we must not take it for granted. I think it is important to give thanks for what we do have, instead of dwelling upon what we do not have. Positive thinking can go a long way in terms of health and wellbeing, as well as the positive energy that will be transmitted to others, and in turn affect their lives in a positive way. When we acknowledge and give thanks for what we have, I believe that we are sending positive energy into the universe, and others will feel this and pass it along. Have you ever given a genuine, big smile to someone you don’t know on the street, and they in turn smile back? This is the same thing, this is what I am talking about – positivity and its effects. Send your positive thoughts to those overseas and also to those around you because we are all one – we live on the same planet, breathe the same air and our energies are all connected. Give thanks for your blessings, let go of your negativity and be the difference, be the change you want to see.

Much love to everyone,
e