Keep The Light Shinning!
All along the Atlantic seacoast still stand the remnants of beautiful architectural structures that once beamed shining lights to guide countless ships to safety in the darkness of the of the treacherous ocean night. They were known as Lighthouses.
My illiterate grandmother, Mrs. Bessie, who was a real Steel Magnolia, raised me. She was and still is a Lighthouse that guides my every move. Even though she is now flying with the Angels, there is not a day I do not reflect back and think of all she has given me in making me a better person and demanding excellence in everything I did and continue to do.
I think that one of our society's greatest shames is the way that we treat the elderly today. We put them in nursing homes and many times find little time or care less about visiting them and helping to fulfill what really is the final step in the "Circle of Life". "The Forgotten People", as I call them, hold so much history and the necessary values for what it takes to make it in this world. What we don't realize is that they are America's greatest natural resource, and its most underused asset.
They can take us back in time when things were not so simple. When there was no welfare. No health insurance. No low-income housing. When you had to work hard to survive and their primary focus was taking care of their families regardless of the circumstances and the sacrifices that had to be made. In today's society, after the first generation of immigrants, the work ethic, the values, and the financial achievements greatly diminishes with each passing generation. We did not learn the values that kept them moving forward. They wanted better lives for their children, but in turn the values that kept their families together began to erode with each passing generation. Because we lost respect for all the sacrifices they had to make and were not able to experience all they had to sacrifice just to survive.
I remember in my grandmother Bessie's later years her many lonely days when many of her friends had passed away what she would given just to have someone to visit her each day to lift her up. She worked her entire life helping others, raising children, grandchildren and then great children. Then to be left with so much loneliness in the end because we as individuals could not find the time to be that shining beam that she was, guiding us through the darkest of times when we were lost.
I had four bothers and one sister, but for some reason I was always the closest grandchild to her. She monitored my every move all the way through my life. She had to know how I was doing each and everyday. I appreciated everything she ever did for me from a very young age, but never really realized until two days after her death why out of all her many grandchildren I was considered by many to be her favorite. Shortly after her funeral and reflecting back with my aunt about her she explained to me why Mrs. Bessie had taken such a STRONG interest in my development.
She told me, "Steve after all these years and now you being 35 years old I will tell you why you were her favorite. It had been a long held family secret that your grandmother's son, your father, was not your real father. You were born out of an affair that your natural mother had with another man. She made it her mission in life that you never know this secret. She wanted you to always feel that you belonged. That someone loved you regardless of who you were or where you came from. It was something inside of her that saw the goodness you had inside from a very young age and she told me many times, "I am his beacon of light. I am his only hope. I am his mother, father and grandmother. He did not ask to be born into this world, so I knew that if he ever felt he was alone or different the light I saw in him and nourished all those years might not ever shine through and brighten the path for others to follow."
There is not a day that goes by that I do not thank my grandmother, Mrs. Bessie, for being my Lighthouse that guided and still guides me through the darkest nights to the shores of safety. I look to her for inspiration and guidance and I realize that she is still making sure my light shines even in the darkest night.
So many nursing homes are filled with so many "forgotten" people. Considering all they have done for so many others, to be forgotten is truly an American tragedy. Now when they need us most as a Lighthouse rarely are we willing to be a simple beam for them just to bring a smile to their face and guide them through the darkest period of their lives. These should be their best years. Sharing stories of years gone by, memories of childhood, what they were like as a child, what made them special. But we simply fail to recognize how much we will lose from the history of each of our lives when the memories fade with the passing of these individuals. What a shame. What a loss. I really believe everybody has a life story that needs to be told. You may never have the chance to tell your story to future generations. Just think, you may pass from this world without anyone ever knowing you passed this way.
I see things each day, the simplest of things that often help me reflect back on my grandmother, but these reflections are different than the ones that you see as you look into a pool of clear water. The small stones and obstacles that come into my life that might cause me to fall I simply toss them in that pool of water and the reflection of reality disappears for a moment and comes back when times are smooth. The reflections I have of my grandmother, on the other hand, can never be disturbed and as time goes by they are my constant, my beacon in the night. Mrs. Bessie truly was and still is a great Lighthouse. I am so glad she allowed her light to shine on and through me.
Fahne Please inquire about Steve Edwards' Miracles Are Possible speaking engagements for your senior citizens centers, nursing homes and other events so that he can inspire, motivate, reflect and express his thanks to the many Lighthouses that have inspired us all and will guide our paths for many years to come!
Croatian Flag
Study the background on the Croatian flag, its which means and its evolution: this useful resource opinions every one of the factors from the Croatian flag, and what they've symbolize by means of the ages. We'll also assessment the person symbols in the flag, and what they imply.
This design and style, featuring a 6-point star about a crescent moon, is considered for being the earliest Croatian flag or crest. It characteristics the symbols which were manufactured well known with the Illyrian crest. This style is wrongly mistaken like a image of Islam, which it truly is not - as being the Islamic star capabilities five details representing the "Five Pillars." The star is named "Danica," as well as the cresent, "Leljiva."
The blue, white and red stripe layout continued in usage, and included a coat of arms, featuring the banners from the three regions: Croatia (red and white checkerboard), the southwestern coastal region of Dalmatia (three crowned leopard heads) and also the eastern region of Croatia known as Slavonia; topped with a Hungarian crown.
In 1852, the original tri-color style (blue, white and red) was forbidden under the Habsburg Empire, as Croatia's flag was forced as being a "red and white" stripe layout, and Slavonia as being a "blue and white" stripe layout. The blue, white and red stripe flag was later re-instated around the year 1860.
After 1869's Croatian/Hungarian agreement, the crest now depicts a St. Stephen's crown. The crest was modified to switch the positions on the Croatian and Dalmatian crests, and featured a more basic shield style.
The Banovina of Croatia was a province in Yugoslavia, which covers much of present-day Croatia, as well as areas of present-day Bosnia & Serbia, with its capital at Zagreb.
This separate flag featured the same distinct red, white and blue stripes, along with the "chequy" or red-and-white checkerboard crest within the middle, sans its crown.
After Yugoslavia was attacked by Axis forces in April of 1941, Croatia was established being a Nazi puppet-state known as being the "Independent State of Croatia." Its flag looked like the classic Bavonia flag, but with a "U" image representing the Croatian Ustasa, a separatist movement that headed a nation-wide ethnic cleansing and holocaust of non-ethnic Croatians, anti-facists and Orthodox practitioners.
The former Socialist Federal Republic, Yugoslavia, adopted this flag for all the components of its socialist state: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia. This flag featured the traditional blue, white and red Slavic flag colors, with a yellow-outlined red star at the center.
Ten months after Croatia's independence from Yugoslavia on December 22, 1990, this flag was created to symbolize the country. The crest houses the traditional red and white checker pattern, plus the area where the Hungarian and St. Stephen crowns once stood is now a 5-point row of shield designs representing historic Croatia, Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia. Yugoslavia collapsed entirely, about 2 years after Croatia's independence.
Rollup The red and blue colors in the Croatian flag ended up inspired with the Slavic flag concept (pictured on the right), a flag devised in 1848 representing opposition to the oppression that Slavic people had been suffering from Austrian and Russian rule. This 19th century movement was known as "Pan-Slavism," and had support by way of the Balkans, and also in Poland.
Other Slavic nations still use the blue, white and red stripes: including Serbia, Slovenia and Slovakia. The Czech Republic uses these colors, except with two stripes and a triangle.
Note how the modern day Croatian flag has inverted the blue and red stripes; as being the red stripe is the top-most, and also the blue stripe is the bottom-most.
The distinct red-and-white checkerboard or chequy pattern (or sahovnica that means "chessboard") is synonymous with Croatia - you'll see it not only within the crest on the national flag, but in anything else that represents Croatia or Croatian pride. The country's crest contains 13 red and 12 white checkers within its pattern.
This pattern is the image of Croatian kings, dating back to the 10th century. A legend exists that tells of a Croatian king who was once captured by Venetians. He played chess with the Venetian official for a chance to gain freedom; won the game, and later adopted the red and white checkerboard as being the image of his country Roll Up.
The red and white checkerboard pattern was first seen representing Croatia in 1491, and was officially used in 1527 when Ferdinand of Habsburgh was declared king Kompaniefahne.
Marketing With Feather Flags
With regards to generating your business' title and service seen to possible prospects, a extremely efficient advertising and marketing and marketing strategy is essential. Not simply can this support to intrigue and create purchasers, but in addition it may well help set up a brand inside our company which typically can increase up our total status. There are a lot of approaches in which we can promote ourselves employing common strategies that are adopted by other corporations - no matter whether or not they are deemed to be competition or not Gemeindefahne. On the other hand, to be ready to effectively market place ourselves, we want a technique which is not only eye catching but is really helpful.
Flags will usually be an helpful way in which to promote a company or signal a business' whereabouts, but as occasions have transformed and so do the styles by which these can be produced. Fahne Feather flags have lately replaced the classic flag as an item of promotional material especially eye-catching, versatile and also fairly price successful. Most of us have discovered flags surrounding other corporations, whether or not this has been at a vehicle revenue whole lot, a furniture keep or otherwise; the point is that regardless of the corporation is marketing feather flags are an easy way by which to advertise our organization name and service and also presents a stylish and striking decoration to the two our interior and exterior surroundings. But what exactly can you use feather flags in order to promote your company.
As a result of versatility of feather flags due to the methods in which they have been designed, they may well be positioned pretty much everywhere-no matter if outdoors or indoors. With reinforcements for the stands, they could be left inside windy environments which lead to them to turn out to be best for decorating the outdoors of your respective organization, as very well as spots far from your area of company as a achievable extended advertisement. Many are offered with stiff pole mechanisms which may well be rotated to stand within a stance which fits the design and style you are targeting, this makes them beneficial when putting them indoors so that they can be accordingly placed all around your interior environment. Really, it is this versatility which has noticed all varieties of other fields of businesses use feather flags, no matter if this use is for exhibitions, festivals and seminar occasions.
Even so, the essential point to working with feather flags in your favor would be to take into account a style which is vivid, vivacious and gets by the message you are attempting to advertise. No make any difference whether or not you are basically trying to use the flag to advertise your business title, slogan or a certain give/promotion, style is all. Kompaniefahne You might at present have a design and style in thoughts, but by working carefully with a respectable flag style and design company, they are ready to advise you on the least difficult way in which to execute this in terms of layout and color. The printing techniques utilised when developing feather flags permit for vibrant, sharp hues that will pop out and entice the consumers' eyes. In addition to this, feather flags can be designed in a quantity of heights, producing them best for attracting consumers at eye level, as effectively as from far distances.
As a result if you're searching for the most up-to-date way in which to advertise your business, consider feather flags. Not simply will they present you with a dynamic impact each interiorly, and exteriorly, but they will give you your enterprise with the edge it calls for
Flags will usually be an helpful way in which to promote a company or signal a business' whereabouts, but as occasions have transformed and so do the styles by which these can be produced. Fahne Feather flags have lately replaced the classic flag as an item of promotional material especially eye-catching, versatile and also fairly price successful. Most of us have discovered flags surrounding other corporations, whether or not this has been at a vehicle revenue whole lot, a furniture keep or otherwise; the point is that regardless of the corporation is marketing feather flags are an easy way by which to advertise our organization name and service and also presents a stylish and striking decoration to the two our interior and exterior surroundings. But what exactly can you use feather flags in order to promote your company.
As a result of versatility of feather flags due to the methods in which they have been designed, they may well be positioned pretty much everywhere-no matter if outdoors or indoors. With reinforcements for the stands, they could be left inside windy environments which lead to them to turn out to be best for decorating the outdoors of your respective organization, as very well as spots far from your area of company as a achievable extended advertisement. Many are offered with stiff pole mechanisms which may well be rotated to stand within a stance which fits the design and style you are targeting, this makes them beneficial when putting them indoors so that they can be accordingly placed all around your interior environment. Really, it is this versatility which has noticed all varieties of other fields of businesses use feather flags, no matter if this use is for exhibitions, festivals and seminar occasions.
Even so, the essential point to working with feather flags in your favor would be to take into account a style which is vivid, vivacious and gets by the message you are attempting to advertise. No make any difference whether or not you are basically trying to use the flag to advertise your business title, slogan or a certain give/promotion, style is all. Kompaniefahne You might at present have a design and style in thoughts, but by working carefully with a respectable flag style and design company, they are ready to advise you on the least difficult way in which to execute this in terms of layout and color. The printing techniques utilised when developing feather flags permit for vibrant, sharp hues that will pop out and entice the consumers' eyes. In addition to this, feather flags can be designed in a quantity of heights, producing them best for attracting consumers at eye level, as effectively as from far distances.
As a result if you're searching for the most up-to-date way in which to advertise your business, consider feather flags. Not simply will they present you with a dynamic impact each interiorly, and exteriorly, but they will give you your enterprise with the edge it calls for
Mortgage Compliance Advisors Announces Launch Of Red Flag Template
Salt Lake City, UT - May 21, 2009 - Earlier this month, the Federal Trade Commission announced its extension of the Red Flags Rule from May 1 to August 1, 2009. Beginning August 1, all financial institutions and creditors with covered accounts must comply with the Red Flags Rule. (For more information, visit Gemeindefahne. ) The FTC stated that this rule is designed to reduce identity theft by requiring organizations to "implement a written Identity Theft Prevention Program designed to detect the warning signs - or 'red flags' - of identity theft in their day-to-day operations, take steps to prevent the crime, and mitigate the damage it inflicts. " An organization's Identity Theft Prevention Program, also known as a Red Flag Policy, must be appropriately tailored to its size, risks, and complexity. To help mortgage brokers and lenders comply with the Red Flags Rule, Mortgage Compliance Advisors announced the launch of its succinct, customizable Red Flag Policy template.
Mortgage Compliance Advisors (MCA) is partnering with Hudson Cook, LLP, to offer this template, The Mortgage Industry Guide to the Red Flags Rule. The template contains required Red Flag policies and procedures, which include: identifying and detecting red flags, preventing and mitigating identity theft, and periodically updating the program. Werbefahne To create a customized Red Flag Policy, clients may purchase and personally fill out this template; or the client may provide MCA with basic information about the organization, and MCA can fill out the policy template. In order to comply with the Red Flags Rule, organizations must have the policy in place by August 1, 2009.
Mortgage Compliance Advisors (MCA) is partnering with Hudson Cook, LLP, to offer this template, The Mortgage Industry Guide to the Red Flags Rule. The template contains required Red Flag policies and procedures, which include: identifying and detecting red flags, preventing and mitigating identity theft, and periodically updating the program. Werbefahne To create a customized Red Flag Policy, clients may purchase and personally fill out this template; or the client may provide MCA with basic information about the organization, and MCA can fill out the policy template. In order to comply with the Red Flags Rule, organizations must have the policy in place by August 1, 2009.
Obama once again does not salute the flag; does it matter
Roll Up The has a photo on the front page of Obama at some event with people to the left and right of him saluting the flag or holding their hand on their heart. Obama stands with his hands at his sides, and rense added the caption 'Obama Again Refuses To Honor America'. Is it dishonoring America, (or 'Murika', as G W Bush referred to it) by not saying a pledge that was originally written by an admittedsocialist flag salesman.
Seriously. Rollup Why do people become so brainwashed into conformity over something which they don't even know the origin of It's sort of the same way people say "God bless you" when someone sneezes. Most people say it, or some version thereof, such as "gazoontite"( ) or 'salute' (salud) en espanol. Why do people say that I once heard that it originated from some superstition that one's soul left their body when they sneezed, thus they neededGod's blessing at that time. What a bunch of superstitious nonsense! Some kooks believed that yoursoul leaves your body when you sneeze and for infinity thereafter, their progeny will continue to mindlesslyrepeat the sneeze mantra,not even realizing what it means.
Here is a cogent . There is also a history of court cases on the pledge,the first notable one in1943 when the court ruled on . The court concluded that, "To believe that patriotism will not flourish if patriotic ceremonies are voluntary and spontaneous instead of a compulsory routine is to make an unflattering estimate of the appeal of our institutions to free minds"
Also, the original pledge was said with nazi style salute; Bellamy himself:
"At a signal from the Principal the pupils, in ordered ranks, hands to the side, face the Flag. Another signal is given; every pupil gives the flag the military salute -- right hand lifted, palm downward, to a line with the forehead and close to it. Standing thus, all repeat together, slowly, I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands; one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. At the words, to my Flag, the right hand is extended gracefully, palm upward, toward the Flag, and remains in this gesture till the end of the affirmation; whereupon all hands immediately drop to the side."
Don't get me wrong. I am not nor would I ever defend Barack Obama, (or George Bush for that matter, or the rest of them).But there are many more valid reasons to oppose the regime than something silly like this.
Roll Up And while we're at it. "One nation under God"
What sort of nation that could ever in a million years be considered "Godly" As someone wrote in this letter to the editor,.
There are many problems in this country but when the majority do not realize something as simple as respecting life, I don't see how the Lord will bless this nation and I can't see touting it as a nation under God. And for the record, all these supposed pro-life republicans who are warmoners, I suppose they only value the 'sanctity of life' before it leaves the womb. When it's 18 you can send it off in an undeclared war for empire and kill millions of Iraqis or whoever else the elitist puppet in the white house sends them to kill.
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Seriously. Rollup Why do people become so brainwashed into conformity over something which they don't even know the origin of It's sort of the same way people say "God bless you" when someone sneezes. Most people say it, or some version thereof, such as "gazoontite"( ) or 'salute' (salud) en espanol. Why do people say that I once heard that it originated from some superstition that one's soul left their body when they sneezed, thus they neededGod's blessing at that time. What a bunch of superstitious nonsense! Some kooks believed that yoursoul leaves your body when you sneeze and for infinity thereafter, their progeny will continue to mindlesslyrepeat the sneeze mantra,not even realizing what it means.
Here is a cogent . There is also a history of court cases on the pledge,the first notable one in1943 when the court ruled on . The court concluded that, "To believe that patriotism will not flourish if patriotic ceremonies are voluntary and spontaneous instead of a compulsory routine is to make an unflattering estimate of the appeal of our institutions to free minds"
Also, the original pledge was said with nazi style salute; Bellamy himself:
"At a signal from the Principal the pupils, in ordered ranks, hands to the side, face the Flag. Another signal is given; every pupil gives the flag the military salute -- right hand lifted, palm downward, to a line with the forehead and close to it. Standing thus, all repeat together, slowly, I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands; one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. At the words, to my Flag, the right hand is extended gracefully, palm upward, toward the Flag, and remains in this gesture till the end of the affirmation; whereupon all hands immediately drop to the side."
Don't get me wrong. I am not nor would I ever defend Barack Obama, (or George Bush for that matter, or the rest of them).But there are many more valid reasons to oppose the regime than something silly like this.
Roll Up And while we're at it. "One nation under God"
What sort of nation that could ever in a million years be considered "Godly" As someone wrote in this letter to the editor,.
There are many problems in this country but when the majority do not realize something as simple as respecting life, I don't see how the Lord will bless this nation and I can't see touting it as a nation under God. And for the record, all these supposed pro-life republicans who are warmoners, I suppose they only value the 'sanctity of life' before it leaves the womb. When it's 18 you can send it off in an undeclared war for empire and kill millions of Iraqis or whoever else the elitist puppet in the white house sends them to kill.
