Memorial Day in the United States, is a day to remember the sacrifices that brave men + woman made to bring freedom to this country.
Growing up as the daughter of a Navy veteran, I was taught to have immense gratitude for the freedoms that we so easily take for granted.
My late father was a World War II Air-Sea Rescue pilot who helped to save those who were shot down in the Pacific Ocean. He was a hero to many, and especially to me. I lost him when I was 27.
When I volunteer in my son’s kindergarten class, I can barely get through The Pledge Of Allegiance without tearing up. Seeing a group of 5-year-olds embody joy, love and freedom, so purely, gives me hope for our future.
And my hope always seems to comes back to“liberty and justice for all.”
So no matter where you are in the world, I hope you’ll take a moment and give thanks for the freedoms you enjoy every day in your own life.
Your freedom to think.
Your freedom to love.
Your freedom to choose.
Your freedom to live a joyous life.
I hope you’ll continue to choose love over fear.
I hope you’ll continue choose compassion over hate (towards yourself + others).
I hope you’ll continue to be brave in your own life, as you celebrate all of the freedoms that you were born knowing.
I hope you’ll honor those who made sacrifices, so you could live a better life.
I hope you’ll give thanks today and every day for the freedom that rings within you and all around you.
Have a wonderful week wherever you are in the world.
Feel free to leave a comment below + let me know what freedoms you are thankful for today.
Love + Gratitude,
– Wendy
PS: Ready to fully embrace and give thanks for your freedom? Start here!
20 thoughts on “Give Thanks For Your Freedom”
Thank you, Wendy, for that beautiful Memorial Day Tribute. I am grateful for all the freedoms we enjoy in this country. I also know that we must stay ever vigilant to protect those freedoms. I honor all those who have sacrificed so much to do just that. My dad was also a WWII vet.
Julia, So glad this spoke to you. And cheers to your amazing dad.
For our fallen soldiers and all who’ve sacrificed for our nation through any form of military service, past or present, I salute you all in love. Thank you for sharing your late father with us, Wendy. He sounds like quite a man of honor and he passed honor down to you.
Aw, thank you Darlene. Glad this post spoke to you today.
Thank you for your heartful message, Wendy. I think it’s more relevant today than ever. One thing that comes to mind is the freedom I have as a woman to dress as I wish and show my hair as I wish. This is not the case worldwide, not to mention many other sanctions against women that we in America seem to take for granted. I appreciate your honoring your father in this post and all of the brave men and women who have served and given their lives to protect this country’s people and its founding democratic principles. May personal and collective freedom reign. May all of us reawaken from any slumber to work together to ensure these principles are preserved. May all beings be happy, respected, and free!
So true, and always important to not take our freedoms for granted.xoxo
I’m so thankful to live in a country where I can worship God openly & freely, where I can choose the type of work I want, where I have so many choices! Thank you for reminding us!
Glad this spoke to you Jan. We are lucky, indeed.
That is a great tribute, Wendy, thank you. Freedom to Choose and Freedom to Lead a Joyous Life are freedoms well worth fighting for – I will add Freedom of Expression. A meaningful Memorial Day to you and your family. Onward!
Amen to all of it. xoxo
I’m not able to say anything better than Judith Maxie, the first person to comment on this blog. I too am a Canadian. It’s so easy to take things for granted when you don’t know otherwise …
Frankie
Thanks Frankie! I appreciate hearing from the awesome Canadians! 😉
– Wendy
Thank you for a great post, Wendy! Much appreciated by this Veteran. Young people especially need to see comments like this!
Rick,
You are so welcome. And thank you for your service. It is deeply appreciated.
– Wendy
Dear Wendy,
Your words fill my heart, body and soul, with warmth and a wealth of meaning for today and the future.
Thank you,
Roberta
Roberta,
That is always my intention so nice to hear this touched you so deeply. Thank you.
– Wendy
Wendy….thank you for your simplistic but profound expressions of gratitude and positive thought. Just by being exactly who you are you serve as a light in so many areas of shadow and darkness in our worlds. You are blessed to understand your gifts and to have found a way to share them. Thank you especially for today’s acknowledgement of the meaning of Memorial Day and your tribute to the men and women who have sacrificed and served. We indeed should give thanks for our freedoms. (Our Canadian Memorial Day was last weekend.) And again, thank you for the extraordinary work (yes, even heroic) that you do bringing wisdom, insight, comfort and inspiration as a soul supporter for so many. Bravo to you!
Sincerely, Judith Maxie
Judith,
Thank you so much for your beautiful comments and for shining your light brightly right here. I feel the love. Bravo to you too!
– Wendy
Thank you Wendy, Memorial Day and the Pledge of Allegiance is often overlooked as simply a “day off.” But I am humbled by the men and women who have given up their lives for our Freedom.
xo
Mara
You are so welcome Mara. It’s always good to pause remind ourselves of the freedoms so many take for granted. I am humbled as well. – Wendy