Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

You Cannot Love and Honor What You Don’t Know or Miss

By Marion AlgierAsk Marion

The American system is broken and the Great American Experiment is almost lost.  But what is even more frightening is that (for far too many) the American people’s connection to their culture, traditions, religion and history are broken while in large part the American people have lost their common sense, ability for critical thinking which is needed to connect the dots and their willingness to work and fight like past generations did and would have to get them back for themselves and for their children before they are gone forever.

Whatever you want to call them, the liberal left, Progressives, Socialists, Communists, Marxists, global elites, etc., which include most of our politicians, media corps, Hollywood types and those who control our educational system, they have been on a mission for decades, while average and generally more traditional Americans, the Sheeple as they have been dubbed by Russia’s Pravda, ‘just lived’ allowing  themselves to be  manipulated, dumbed down and programmed.  The Progressives used political correctness; multiculturalism; White Guilt; division; attacks on societal and cultural norms; racism, diversion; the creation of a permanent underclass that they can theoretically control and manipulate out of dependence; and the infiltration of public schools, churches and both traditional and social media, especially to reach the young, to bring us to this moment in time in American history, when there are more low and under-informed citizens and voters than those engaged and involved.

Tom Brokaw’s ‘Greatest Generation’ was the lynch pin that was purposely broken between tradition and what America was and the rebellious baby-boomers and what America ‘could be molded into’ using the left’s plan.  The Greatest Generation fought in one or both World Wars or Korea and were “Great Depression” babies or children of survivors of the “Great Depression and the Great War(s) and in their attempt to spare them the hardships they grew up with, they produced the most rebellious, self-centered, self-indulgent and spoiled generation of all time.

Those in power today from the Clintons to the Obamas and the members of their administrations are and were products of the ‘could be’ generations that followed the so-called The Greatest Generation

Remember Hillary Clinton’s famous debate comment in 2007: “I prefer to think of myself as a Progressive!” (Video), after being asked if she was a liberal) by Barack Obama. Progressives… the Clintons are and were having been part of the George Soros, Saul Alinsky and Cloward and Piven team; The Shadow Party.

Whereas the Obama’s are part of the generation inspired and spawned by Soros, Alinsky, Cloward, Piven , the Clintons and their ideas.  Both President Obama’s mother and grandparents were Communists, who attended the Little Red Church in Washington as well as his mentor Frank Marshall Davis. They  were part of the ‘anti-traditional America’ movement.

The members of the Greatest Generation generally grew up poor and gave their all (their youth, their health and their lives) for America and freedom, or definitely knew many who did,  and deserve our gratitude and respect for all they gave and their sacrifices.  But, where I differ with Tom Brokaw, who like Katie Couric and many other anchors and reporters is a member of the elitist CFR, the Greatest Generation didn’t follow through on their sacrifices and commitment to America after the war years. Instead, wanting to spare their kids the strife and hardships they went through, the Greatest Generation raised spoiled self-indulgent children, the baby-boomers, who in turn raised spoiled self-indulgent children, the Millennials, with even less structure than they had and generally without moms at home after school and who, like our president, often grew up without stable fathers in the picture. They were rife for manipulation, indoctrination and experimentation!

American born and immigrant children learned American history and a pride in this amazing country. History was as important as reading, writing and arithmetic. Most people went to church so they had roots and were grounded and a support group from both home and church. And traditions, beliefs and culture were passed down from generation to generation by parents, grandparents, and communities.

America used to be a melting pot.  Immigrants came legally, in an orderly fashion in numbers that America could assimilate..  They brought with them their backgrounds, their traditions, their religion and their talents that would eventually help flavor the pot, but initially they came here hungry, grateful and with sponsors knowing it would be tough and that there would be no handouts. So they were ready to work, ready to blend in, ready to learn English and ready to become Americans… not expecting America to change for them.  They retained their personal cultures and honored them at home or in their communities.  They blended their traditions with American traditions but strived first and foremost to blend in. Immigrant children quickly learned to speak English, 2 sometimes 3 languages, and knew both their own history and American history as well often better than anyone born here.

When you know where you came from, your history, which includes a pride and knowledge in America’s history and traditions as well as your own family history, traditions, and values as well as your cultural background and your religious background you develop a natural love, respect and honor for all those things, even during the rebellious years, and most people find their back to that core.  Those who have worked for generations to lay the groundwork to fundamentally change America understood that and have slowly, quietly and methodically chipped away at that core.

A little diversity, room for growth and positive change are good things, but what we have in common, not division or diversity, is the glue that makes any society, culture and country strong.

Several generations of Americans have now been dumbed down, have lost their religion, have abandoned their traditions, have decided to live by their own rules and have even abandoned the integrity of the family unit.  And the grandparents and great-grandparents who should have cemented the generations decided to play golf, go on cruises and indulge themselves instead of passing along the traditions, the stories and the history.  They left their grandchildren at the mercy of the Progressives, as they did their children, telling themselves that they had done enough, that they wanted their children to have it easier than they did (less rules, structure and sacrifice) and opting for being the nice and fun grandparents instead of the involved examples who passed the torch.

We have allowed ourselves to be dumbed down and our time to be filled with distractions and in turn have allowed our children to be dumbed down, manipulated and indoctrinated by electronic baby-sitters, an educational system with an agenda  and their peers that have the same of even less guidance.  Fewer and fewer families eat dinner together or they eat dinner in front of the television or allow cell phones at the table.  Less and less people are attending church; after all it is easier to sleep in or more fun to go to a ball game.  And more and more people’s holidays revolve around sales at the mall and how many gifts they receive instead of traditions and celebrating and discussing the real meaning behind them.  And when was the last time you discussed politics, religion, current events or history with your kids, grandkids, friends or co-workers? How about family history?  Our children are being programmed by people like Bill Ayers, mindless or worse television shows and video games full of sex and violence.  And most Americans no longer read the newspaper or watch the news and if they do, the majority mindlessly read and watch the mainstream media outlets without question or research, that have become propaganda arms for our ever left-leaning government.  And then we vote without knowing the issues, anything about the candidates or for a repeat and wonder why our lives keep getting worse.

Obama is presently fighting off a long list of scandals – Benghazi-gate, IRS-gate, Press-gate and now Sebelius-gate and EPA-gate plus he should be answering for  those scandals like Fast and Furious that his team buried.  And the leading Democrat Progressive choice for 2016, Hillary Clinton, is equally involved in many of those and others, yet the average American, is either completely unaware that they even exist, or if they have heard of them, really don’t understand what the scandals are about because of the bias liberal media spin and blackouts (Many people have not even heard about the murder trial of Dr. Kermit Gosnell).   If this were almost any other president in American history, he would already be writing his resignation letter.  Yet now we hear that the administration has become so paranoid and controlling that they are even spying on the friendly media.

Reader’s Digest took a ‘Trust’ Poll: The 100 Most Trusted People in America. They survived 1,009 people between January 24th and January 29th. "Who is the most trusted man in America?" Want to take a stab at it? Wanna take a wild guess? I'll give you a little hint. Clarence Thomas is number 88… Tom Hanks is number 1.  What happened to the days where astronauts, reporters like Walter Cronkite, Mother Teresa or presidents like Ronald Reagan or John F. Kennedy headed up the list? We can kid ourselves all we want, but you only have to watch a segment of Jay-Walking with Jay Leno or Watter’s World with Jesse Watters or callers to talk radio shows like Howard Stern to realize how lost we really are.

“Sandra Bullock, the 2nd most trusted person in America?  I wouldn’t even trust her to tell me she was in a good movie.” –Glenn Beck

ReadersDigestPoll-RushLowInfoVoter

The Reader's Digest Poll of the 100 Most Trusted People in Low-Information America

There is only one way to save America and to prove the goal of the Great American Experiment, that people can rule themselves.  But it won’t be easy and will take returning to a world with rules; enforcement of the law; respect for parents, grand-parents and authority… including a higher authority; a house-cleaning of the broken system and a concerted effort to replace facebook, twitter, texting, sexting, 24-hour electronic stimulation and even our obsession with the 24-hour sports cycle with family time, reading, going back and learning the real America history as well as our family and cultural histories, delving into current events and the news and sharing the truth with everyone you know.  And then it will take our involvement in our schools,  in elections at all levels, boycotting TV and other media that lie to us and harm our children, values and culture and demanding honest media and honest politicians. How about running a kid’s patriot camp in your area or taking a summer trip to a presidential library, Gettysburg, Williamsburg or Washington, D.C. for a start? And leave the electronics at home.

You cannot love or honor what you don’t know or miss, let alone be expected to fight for it.  We have done our children and the future generations of Americans, if America survives at all, a great dis-service by allowing them to sail through life like ships without rudders. We are teetering on the edge as a nation, a society and a culture and the only way for us to keep from going over the edge is for those, mostly 50 and over, who were raised before common sense and critical thinking died and were educated in pre-rewritten America history, religion and with family and cultural traditions, to step-up and fill-in the gaps for those who are younger and those who are lost and floundering and become the leaders for change… a change back to what worked and mattered, no matter how tough or how unpopular… and to do it quickly.

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.  . . . whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that, whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them right." –these are the cornerstones of Jefferson's interest in education and the franchise. He placed education as the foundation of democracy and a prerequisite to vote.

Related:

Obama Tells Wealthy Gathering He Wants To “Institutionalize” Crisis Atmosphere

Jefferson, Education and the Franchise

Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime

Marco Rubio, His Chief of Staff Cesar Conda, Amnesty, George Soros and the Grander Plan

Sunday, May 12, 2013

For Moms Everywhere: ‘Kid President’ Presents 10 Things Every Mom Needs to Know

Video: For Moms Everywhere: ‘Kid President’ Presents 10 Things Every Mom Needs to Know

“Kid President,” the pint-size motivational powerhouse, is back with a special message for all the moms out there on Mother’s Day.

Here are some of them, in no particular order:

​•​ We love you, we just don’t always know how to say it — sometimes it might come out as screaming and crying.

​• Don’t worry so much about the cleaning! “Our house isn’t messy, it’s awesome. It’s awesome because we live in it.”

​•​ It’s OK to cool it on the meatloaf.

​•​ Have fun!

​•​ Thank you for cleaning up all of the poop.

​•​ Hug more, shout less.

​• And of course, “mom” spelled upside-down is “wow.”

The “Kid President” series is a project of “The Office” actor Rainn Wilson’s SoulPancake.

 

For All the Great Moms Out There…

Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn’t worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom – I had never been puked on.

Pooped on.

Chewed on.

Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.

Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want to put them down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn’t stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom – I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn’t know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn’t know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn’t know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom – I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom. Here’s to all the Mom’s out there who loved us, cried for us, worked for & with us, lost sleep over, made sacrifices for us, worried over us and prayed for us.

I see children as kites. You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground. You run with them until you’re both breathless ……… they crash …….. you add a longer tail. You patch and comfort, adjust and teach – and assure them that someday they will fly.  Finally they are airborne, but they need more string, and you keep letting it out. With each twist of the ball of twine, the kite becomes more distant. You know that it won’t be long before that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that bound you together, and soar – free and alone. Only then do you know you did your job… Erma Bombeck

“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother." …Abraham Lincoln

Mother's Day: 4 Gifts That Last Longer Than Just One Day

Animal Moms – Happy Mother’s Day 2013

Thursday, December 20, 2012

The Best Christmas Gifts

“Christmas is the season when you buy this year’s gifts with next year’s money. Let us make this year different and fill it with gifts of meaning!” ~Author Unknown

The War on Christmas (and religion) verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – 20

The best physical Christmas gifts for children is getting them what they asked Santa for.  It extends their belief in him and cements their joy for future Christmases as well as their memories.  And then add some extras that will teach them or expose them to something positive. But the best long term gift(s) for children is establishing and maintaining traditions and making sure that at least part of your holiday is spent on discussing or participating in activities that revolve around the true meaning or reason for the Christmas season.  But sometimes our budget just doesn’t meet our children’s wishes or our needs… So then what do you do?  Checkout the following great story:

Running With Scissors: In the winter of 1986, life was good. I was a single mother with one adorable, healthy, blond-haired, blue-eyed boy; I had a good job; I had a not-so-good second job; I had a fixer-upper house; and I had one spoiled rotten Doxie dog. Norman Rockwell might not have been impressed with the broken-down white picket fence in the back yard, but I thought of my life as having “good bones.” A little sanding, some spackle, a new coat of paint and everything would be perfect.

Money being a bit on the short-side, Christmas was something I planned long-range. The clerks at the lay-away counters at WalMart and K-Mart knew me by name. Of course, the best-laid plans of Santa’s helpers can and do go awry from time to time. This year I was completely blind-sided by an animatronic, story-telling bear called Teddy Ruxpin. About three weeks before Christmas, my son, Derek, started talking incessantly about this Teddy Ruxpin toy, so I checked it out to see if it could be worked into The Grand Christmas Plan. I was horrified to discover this new must-have toy was a whopping $75 ( a lot of money in those days)! No way was this going to fit into the budget. Period. But this was all my precious baby could talk about, and I couldn’t afford it. I was crushed.

As I cruised the toy department hoping and praying I could come up with a suitable substitute, my eyes were drawn to a tiny stuffed bear, wearing a stocking cap and a Christmas sweater. I picked him up, adjusted his little sweater and stood there looking at him and, as I did, a New Plan suddenly came to me.

On Christmas Eve, after my son set out the requisite cookies and milk for Santa and finally went to sleep, I set my New Plan in motion. It was risky, but I thought it just might work. I retrieved the tiny bear from his hiding spot, and I sat down at the kitchen table and composed a note. A note from Santa to Derek. It went something like this:

Dear Derek,

Thank you for coming to visit me in the park and giving me your Christmas list. I know you asked for a Teddy Ruxpin toy, but I have been looking all over trying to find the perfect boy to take care of this little Christmas bear. He is very special and he needs a very special boy to take care of him. You have been such a good boy this year I know you are the only boy I can trust to give him the special care he needs. I hope you love him as much as I do. Merry Christmas!

Love, Santa

I finished setting up the rest of the toy delivery from Santa, set Special Bear on top and tucked the note under one fuzzy little leg. And, yeah, there might have been a tear or two. I crossed my fingers, looked up at the ceiling, and went to bed.

The next morning, Derek bounded into the living room, and I stood back and watched. He picked up Special Bear, saw the note, and brought it to me to read to him. I read the note, took a deep breath and looked up at him. And this is what I saw.

Like magic, it was as if all thoughts of Teddy Ruxpin were gone. He was never mentioned again.

And, yes, Special Bear still lives. Every year since, he has occupied a place of honor in our home at Christmas and a special spot in our hearts. I always smile, give him a hug and adjust his sweater when I unpack him and remember that Very Special Bear Christmas. And, every year after Christmas, he is lovingly snuggled into his bubble wrap, placed in his special box and packed away.

I always knew there would come a time when Special Bear would get passed to a grandchild and, after some discussion, it was decided the time has come for Special Bear to work his Christmas magic for my precious granddaughter. So, I gave Special Bear a booster-shot of love with one more hug, triple-bubble-wrapped him and placed him in a new box for his journey, along with two pictures I found of that special morning. Just so my son will know which box Special Bear is in, I did this. Think I overdid it?


And, when they ask me at the Post Office if I want insurance on this package, I’ll laugh, because you can’t put a price tag on what’s in that box. Christmas is not about the Teddy Ruxpins. It’s about the love and the Special Bear places in your heart.

Stuffed Bear – $4.99

Pictures & Frames – $24.95

Magical, twinkly, smiley, love-filled, makes-you-teary-eyed memories – PRICELESS

One word of advice though – take LOTS and LOTS of pictures, because you never know when a Special Bear moment will happen.

“Oh, would that Christmas lasted the whole year through, as it ought,” Charles Dickens lamented. “Would that the spirit of Christmas could live within our hearts every day of the year.”  And this sentiment could be the best gift you give yourself as well as someone you know or know of that is in need!  The Best Part of the Christmas Season is Love, Charity, and Kindness.  Why not cut back on excess food and extravagant gifts and help a friend, a family (or family member) or a stranger in need?  Whoever has two coats should share with someone with none. -Luke 3:11

Sometimes one of the toughest gifts is one for the parents or grandparents.  It certainly depends on your budget, and you definitely want to show your gratitude, respect and love for them in an appropriate and special way. In case they are fond of pets, a pet is a great gift to help them cope with loneliness or boredom, whether you choose to buy a puppy or a senior dog or cat who needs a home for them, along with sufficient food for the pet. Or if your budget allows you can plan an exclusive romantic holiday for the two of them or a great evening out. Or you can go the other way and buy the latest technology like an inclusive LCD TV or laptop so that they can spend their time meaningfully. You can take them to the best (or their favorite) restaurant in the town to treat them with their favorite cuisine after watching a good movie together. It would be wonderful to order a personalized calendar containing the photographs of your parents in various moments of their lives or of your family or all the grandchildren. In case both of your parents or grandparents are bookworms you can gift them volumes of selected classics or the latest releases in the areas they enjoy. Or it would be really classy to find an antique clock or table lamp to enrich their décor.

And there are the gifts that come from the heart type that often take up more time than money to give. Or sometimes a lot of both, but in the end are the most meaningful… They include homemade gifts like baked goods, recipe jars, handmade ornaments, family cookbooks, scrapbooks, organized photo albums, digital photo frames filled with images or single reproduced and framed special photos, traditional Christmas Music CD’s like Johnny Mathis or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or movies like Miracle on 34th Street or any of the Best Holiday Movie Classics (hopefully to watch or listen to together), a book or family history written by you, a piece of art, a family heirloom handed down, a great home-cooked meal… and the list goes on since all our hearts are different.

But the greatest gift is togetherness and some true conversation including the subject of what Christmas is really all about!

How to Simplify Your Christmas Shopping

A friend of mine emailed me the following article: Achieved a lifetime ambition; finishing all my Christmas shopping, wrapping and mailing by December 1st

The author said that the trick is to use one of several (four) formulas or a combination thereof to do your shopping, rather than going crazy trying to be all things to all people as you devastate your bank account. I think that most of us can relate to the drained holiday bank account stretching from Halloween to New Years!!

The suggestions included a few of the following 10 categories:

  • The easiest one, if time and lack of imagination are bigger factors than money, is to ask everyone what they want and just get it.
  • Give everyone the same gift or at least split them into four or five types: one for the girls, one for the older gals, one for the boys, one the big boys and one for the pets.
  • There is my least favorite which is giving everyone money or a gift card and unless you don’t mind being embarrassed, it ends up being the most impersonal while usually ending up costing you the most… or is right up there.
  • Another is to give everyone a ‘what the heck is this’ gift or the white elephant method, good for a laugh and some conversation?!? But pretty much a total waste of money and only for those who really believe that it is the thought (or the lack of thought) that counts!
  • Then there is the true budget conscious method suggesting you set a standard price per gift and don’t waiver or just re-gift in extra nice wrapping.
  • There is the giving the gifts that matter method or ‘of need’, which includes bags of groceries, needed shoes and clothing items, pay someone’s utility bill or car payment or supplying some other needed help.
  • There are the gifts of knowledge that are investments in someone, even when they don’t quite get it. It could be paying for a trip or camp, sending someone to a special class or program or tickets to the theatre, a copy of the Bible, the Constitution or an important book or books, or it could be a learning game, a transformational movie, a camera, movie camera or a computer. (Less electronic are better!! Give the gift of a real book not an online copy, board games not games on the Wii and gifts that will inspire and make people interact… talk and think.)
  • Or how about the gift of love and sharing. Adopt a military family and make it family project. Volunteer to serve meals at the nearest mission or rescue. Take the family to the shelter and adopt a pet who needs a forever loving home, or volunteer to be a pet foster parent. Bake cookies for prisoners. Pick a tag from the tree at church or at work and give an angel gift or gifts. Invite a lonely neighbor over for Christmas dinner.
  • And finally (again) there is the gift from the heart type of gifts that often take up more time than money to give. But from my experience, sometimes they take a lot of both, but in the end are the most meaningful… They include homemade gifts like baked goods, recipe jars, handmade ornaments, family cookbooks, scrapbooks, organized photo albums, digital photo frames filled with images or single reproduced and framed special photo, traditional Christmas Music CD’s like Johnny Mathis or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or movies like Miracle on 34th Street or any of the Best Holiday Movie Classics  (hopefully to watch or listen to together), a book or family history written by you, a piece of art, a family heirloom handed down, a great home-cooked meal… and the list goes on since all our hearts are different.

Some of these gifting methods require some real creativity; some take real guts, and others require an investment of the heart. But what we choose to give often says a lot about us.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! God bless us all, every one!

Related:

Santa Photos… Often Yesterday’s Oooops Are Tomorrow’s Treasures!

The Best Part of the Christmas Season – Love, Charity, and Kindness

Christmas for Pet PeopleWatch Glenn Beck’s Emotional Tribute To His Dog, Victor

American Traditions

War on Christmas is Part of the Overall War on Religion… a Move Toward a ‘New Age’ – a NWO with a One World Religion and Often From Within Churches

Adopt a Pet This Christmas… Or Give Someone a New Friend for Christmas (or Hanukah)!

Christmas Baking

NewsWeek and Jon Stewart Decree the War on Christmas is Over…

Carolling… or Caroling and Christmas Music

Nativity – The Reason for the Season‘Glory of Christmas’ begins final season at Crystal Cathedral (2008 to 2009)

Christmas Trees

Hanukkah, Hanukah, Chanukah

European Markets or Christkindlmarkts Capture the Christmas Spirit

St. Nickolas Day

So Where Is the War on Christmas Coming From? – A Worthwhile Read!

Best Holiday Movie Classics – A Merry Christmas From Hollywood

God Rest Ye Merry Merchants – Christmas: An American Holiday and Tradition to Love and Preserve

Advent – The Season of Anticipation and Hope

The War on Christmas verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – with comments from Ben Stein

Red Kettles & Bell Ringers

Atheists intimidate Santa Monica into eliminating Nativity… And So the War on Christmas and Freedom of Religion ContinuesChurches Thwart Nativity Ban By Putting Up Living Displays In Santa Monica

Black Friday Holiday Shopping Kick-off Overshadows True Meaning of Christmas

What Movies in History Best Captures the Spirit of Thanksgiving?

“Holidays Are Great and Fun To Share With Our Pets, As Long As We Avoid the No-No Foods”Animal Nativity

Christianity & Gun Owners in the Crosshairs: Chilling Tactic Exposed

How Should Christians Respond to Atheist ‘Hatred’ & the War on Christmas? This Priest Has Some Advice

The Need For A Christian Worldview of Freedom And Economics

BECK GOES GLOBAL, MEETS WITH CATHOLIC CLERGY & INTERNATIONAL TEA PARTY LEADERS IN ROME

Great Stocking Stuffer Book for all Sports Fans: “Sarah Palin and the Wasilla Warriors”

Obama Administration’s War on Religion

A great read: Losing Our Religion: The Liberal Media’s Attack on Christianity

Merry Christmas and happy shopping!!

“When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?” …G.K. Chesterton

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Best Part of the Christmas Season - Love, Charity, and Kindness

Whoever has two coats should share with someone with none. -Luke 3:11

If you know of someone who needs help… be a light and available to help always, but especially during the Christmas season~

The War on Christmas (and religion) verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – 18

Random Acts of Kindness and Charity Are the Best Gifts to Yourself… As Well as to Those in Need!

Christmas is the perfect time to show acts of kindness and build a stronger sense of community. The spirit of the holiday is undeniable and Christmas kindness is legendary. Many individuals may be too busy during the year and random acts of kindness may slip their mind. This holiday season, make a point to enrich the lives of the less fortunate as well as those close to your heart. Here are some simple acts of kindness that make a big difference and can make the holidays more enjoyable for all involved.

Feed the Hungry – Instead of buying extra food or expensive gifts, set aside a small portion of your Christmas budget to feed those who can’t afford a succulent Christmas dinner. A small act of kindness such as donating to a soup kitchen or donating canned goods to various food drives is a great way to spread Christmas kindness and help those less fortunate enjoy their holiday. No matter what religion one embraces, all of them teach the lesson of kindness toward others and donating to the less fortunate in their time of need. The perfect time to perform random acts of kindness, help build a better society, and uplift those in need of your charity. Start by donating extra canned goods (and not just the creamed corn) then perhaps buy some food that your family likes during the holidays and donate it to your local shelter. Volunteer to help prepare or serve a meal at a local rescue or shelter.  Also invite some family, friends or neighbors that are having a tough time or will be alone over the holidays to share Christmas dinner with you and your family and make sure to send them home with some leftovers for at least one more meal!

Help Friends, Family or a Stranger that you Know Are in Need – More Americans are in some type of distress or need this year than at anytime since the Depression.  If you know of someone who needs help whether it is with cash, food, gifts for their children, help with their pets, car repairs or transportation, gas money, to stay off the streets, to move, to find shelter, to get home for the holidays or anything else, find their need or ask them what they need and try to fill it.  If it is too big for you to do alone try to organize other friends, family, neighbors, churches and church members, or outside resources to help them. Working together we can create miracles and move mountains  Adopt a family, a friend, or a homeless person; you will feel like Santa Claus.

Cook a healthy meal for the holidays – Avoid going on a diet after the holidays. Your guests would likely appreciate a Christmas meal consisting of more than just deep friend greasy foods. Instead of stuffing yourself with unhealthy food, create a versatile meal that compliments both vegetarians and omnivores alike. Cooking extra vegetarian dishes is not very difficult, and those who don’t eat meat and those who choose to be healthy will greatly appreciate it. The traditional spread may be classic and delicious, but it’s good to have healthy alternatives.

Christmas giftsCheer up the sick – Those who are in the most need of kindness during the holiday season are those in the hospital who might miss most of the Christmas festivities. Pay a visit to those who may be alone during the holidays, give them small gifts, and generally uplift them. Sometimes the best way to cure physical and emotional pain is simple human interaction. It may not seem like a monumental event, but one gift from a total stranger may make their holiday memorable.

Donate gifts to charity – Think about the amount of old gifts laying around the house, items that the kids no longer use, that you no longer use. Many of these are probably in good enough condition for those less fortunate to enjoy. The average American house/garage/storage space is absolutely overflowing with old items that individuals simply refused to let go of. This holiday season, why not donate some of those gifts to organizations aimed at helping those in need of a little holiday spirit. An old, outdated toy may not mean much to you or your children, but might mean the world to those who can’t afford Christmas gifts.

Adopt a pet or two – Many more animals need love and a forever home this year than normal. Consider adopting or fostering just one more pet for the holidays… the shelters are overflowing and 2 out of 3 animals who get into the shelter system never leave there alive!  Or help a family having tough times feed their pets or get them items or medical attention that they have not been able to afford.  And continue to help them with pet food after Christmas.  Or pay the adoption fees for a senior citizen or family who would love a pet but can’t squeeze out the extra money for the fees. Donating pet food to a pet food bank or regular food bank is another welcomed act of kindness or volunteer at a local rescue or shelter and help them find foster homes, if not permanent homes, for the pets in their care.

The greatest gift and feeling at Christmastime is the satisfaction you get from giving and helping others.  Make it a goal this year.  It will change your life as much or more than that of those you help.  if we all spent more time paying it forward and helping those that fall onto hard times, the world would be a better and richer place!

Related:

Christmas for Pet People  -  Watch Glenn Beck’s Emotional Tribute To His Dog, Victor

American Traditions

War on Christmas is Part of the Overall War on Religion… a Move Toward a ‘New Age’ – a NWO with a One World Religion and Often From Within Churches

Adopt a Pet This Christmas… Or Give Someone a New Friend for Christmas (or Hanukah)!

Christmas Baking

NewsWeek and Jon Stewart Decree the War on Christmas is Over…

Carolling… or Caroling and Christmas Music

Nativity – The Reason for the Season‘Glory of Christmas’ begins final season at Crystal Cathedral (2008 to 2009)

Christmas Trees

Hanukkah, Hanukah, Chanukah

European Markets or Christkindlmarkts Capture the Christmas Spirit

St. Nickolas Day

So Where Is the War on Christmas Coming From? – A Worthwhile Read!

Best Holiday Movie Classics – A Merry Christmas From Hollywood

God Rest Ye Merry Merchants – Christmas: An American Holiday and Tradition to Love and Preserve

Advent – The Season of Anticipation and Hope

The War on Christmas verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – with comments from Ben Stein

Red Kettles & Bell Ringers

Atheists intimidate Santa Monica into eliminating Nativity… And So the War on Christmas and Freedom of Religion ContinuesChurches Thwart Nativity Ban By Putting Up Living Displays In Santa Monica

Black Friday Holiday Shopping Kick-off Overshadows True Meaning of Christmas

What Movies in History Best Captures the Spirit of Thanksgiving?

“Holidays Are Great and Fun To Share With Our Pets, As Long As We Avoid the No-No Foods”Animal Nativity

Christianity & Gun Owners in the Crosshairs: Chilling Tactic Exposed

How Should Christians Respond to Atheist ‘Hatred’ & the War on Christmas? This Priest Has Some Advice

The Need For A Christian Worldview of Freedom And Economics

BECK GOES GLOBAL, MEETS WITH CATHOLIC CLERGY & INTERNATIONAL TEA PARTY LEADERS IN ROME

A great read: Losing Our Religion: The Liberal Media’s Attack on Christianity

Monday, December 17, 2012

Christmas for Pet People

“A hug from a child or a lick from a pet makes everything better including the holidays!”

The War on Christmas (and religion) verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – 17 - Cross-Posted at Just One More Pet

(Consider adopting or fostering just one more pet for the holidays… the shelters are overflowing and 2 out of 3 animals who get into the shelter system never leave there alive!)

Video: Animals of the Tube sing “Deck the Hall

Santa Photos With Fido or other Furry and Feathered Friends

Many places these days offer photos for pets with Santa. Some do better jobs than others!! Even within a chain like PetsMart or Petco, the quality of the photos vary with the group contracted to do the photos in individual stores. (They are often amateur volunteers sponsored/run by local rescues inside the store) And remember, most are Polaroid, so if they come out well have them copied or scan them in.

At our local Petsmart, you basically get a Polaroid of your dog sitting on Santa’s lap. Others may have a higher quality set up and better photographers, but don’t count on it. Most allow and even encourage you to be part of the photo. And some will let you snap a few shots with your own camera as well (as long as you purchase one of theirs as well).

Some local malls have special ‘pets day(s)’ with the mall Santa and even some smaller pet store chains do Santa photos. The special “pictures with Santa” days during which dogs, cats and pets in general are allowed inside the mall is usually in the evening or off hours. They are also usually sponsored by a rescue, so the proceeds go to a good cause. The pictures are usually okay, but not great. Nothing to write home about, but when you have x amount of dogs waiting in line and lots of stuff going on, even the best photographer may not manage making your dog look like Lassie, RinTinTin or the Beverly Hills Chihuahua… after all half the kiddie photos aren’t much better. But it is fun to have a photo with Santa no matter what!

Some of the photos of ourselves, our kids and our furkids with Santa aren’t the greatest, but as the years go by the old ones seem to get better and better! Winking smile And, over the years we have managed to get a few cute ones too!

Angel and Santa - Good

Some places will allow you to bring your own camera and take a shot as long as you buy their package. And definitely always, like with the human kids, be ready prepared to end up in the photo along with your pet(s).

Santa pet photos are usually with dogs, but I’ve seen people come in with cats, bunnies, ferrets, pot belly pigs, birds, and even a fish bowl but I would suggest coming in at a slow time to do that, or the cats and birds will be spooked and even try to run or fly away.  We had a greycheek, Poly, that was tame and friendly as can be that flew out the front door because she was afraid of Santa.  I did see a Santa come for the day to an exotic bird shop where people came with their large parrots and cockatoos.

Even with dogs, remember there will often be lots of dogs in line and Santa can be a scary figure to some, just like he is for some children!

Some of the best Christmas and holiday photos are done at home or better yet by a professional; in a private session.

Libby & Santa 2009 santababy

Councilman Ed Reisinger plays Santa at Locust Point Dog Park

Balzac (225 lbs) with Santa

Every Pet Santa Deserves a Tip!!

Santa PerchRocky the Ferret Kisses SantaGracie and Sahmmy with Santa

PetsMart and Santa Paws are just a few programs that take Pet Photos with Santa. Often the proceeds go to help homeless pets in shelters and rescues or to supply needy families with food and needed supplies.

Merry Christmas… the Season has begun!

Critter for Christmas Gift… Not Best Idea! unless you know the person wants a pet and which one or kind they want; taking them to the shelter, a rescue or pet store and allowing them to choose the pet is always the best idea!!

Often Photos taken at home (without Santa) are the the cutest and the least stressful!!

lillycatx-wide-communitymysterypg-vertical

Photo #5 –Where’s Apachi? and Photo #6 – Can You Find all 6???

santa-dogs

by Ask Marion/the UCLA Shutterbug

There is always room for Just One More Pet!!

Adopt a Pet This Christmas… Or Give Someone a New Friend for Christmas (or Hanukah)!

Related:

Watch Glenn Beck’s Emotional Tribute To His Dog, Victor

American Traditions

War on Christmas is Part of the Overall War on Religion… a Move Toward a ‘New Age’ – a NWO with a One World Religion and Often From Within Churches

Adopt a Pet This Christmas… Or Give Someone a New Friend for Christmas (or Hanukah)!

Christmas Baking

NewsWeek and Jon Stewart Decree the War on Christmas is Over…

Carolling… or Caroling and Christmas Music

Nativity – The Reason for the Season‘Glory of Christmas’ begins final season at Crystal Cathedral (2008 to 2009)

Christmas Trees

Hanukkah, Hanukah, Chanukah

European Markets or Christkindlmarkts Capture the Christmas Spirit

St. Nickolas Day

So Where Is the War on Christmas Coming From? – A Worthwhile Read!

Best Holiday Movie Classics – A Merry Christmas From Hollywood

God Rest Ye Merry Merchants – Christmas: An American Holiday and Tradition to Love and Preserve

Advent – The Season of Anticipation and Hope

The War on Christmas verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – with comments from Ben Stein

Red Kettles & Bell Ringers

Atheists intimidate Santa Monica into eliminating Nativity… And So the War on Christmas and Freedom of Religion ContinuesChurches Thwart Nativity Ban By Putting Up Living Displays In Santa Monica

Black Friday Holiday Shopping Kick-off Overshadows True Meaning of Christmas

What Movies in History Best Captures the Spirit of Thanksgiving?

“Holidays Are Great and Fun To Share With Our Pets, As Long As We Avoid the No-No Foods”Animal Nativity

Christianity & Gun Owners in the Crosshairs: Chilling Tactic Exposed

How Should Christians Respond to Atheist ‘Hatred’ & the War on Christmas? This Priest Has Some Advice

The Need For A Christian Worldview of Freedom And Economics

BECK GOES GLOBAL, MEETS WITH CATHOLIC CLERGY & INTERNATIONAL TEA PARTY LEADERS IN ROME

A great read: Losing Our Religion: The Liberal Media’s Attack on Christianity

Also, a great pet and pet owner gift: StemPet and StemEquine – Stem Cell Enhancers for Pets

Saturday, April 7, 2012

The Greatest Story Ever Told…

I was looking for words for my Easter greeting and then received the following in my inbox… it was exactly what my husband Tim and I had been talking about on our walk earlier in the day.  I couldn’t write or say it better: 

Many of us grew up celebrating Easter as the holiday where a cute little bunny rabbit brought chocolate and other delicious treats for everyone to eat. All we had to do was look diligently for the eggs hidden around the house and eventually it would lead us to the only thing we cared about: that giant basket of goodies.

Easter Bunnies

Many are still celebrating Easter in a similar fashion. It's become tradition - it's just what we do. This year I have a radical suggestion: start a new tradition. Something that goes much, much deeper than a furry rabbit & candy.

Now don't get me wrong - I'd be lying if I told you there was no chocolate involved in my Easter weekend. I'd also be lying if I told you there were no Peeps or other marshmallow-y related food products. Or jelly beans. Or Twizzlers. There's nothing wrong with having a little egg hunt & candy at Easter - it's fun. But there is something wrong when Easter becomes all about the bunnies and the eggs and the chocolate.

Easter is actually The Greatest Story Ever Told - yet mankind has managed to water it down to an opportunity to devour a few extra M&M's and are actually 'offended' when they hear it. How could that be? What's offensive about this: The very first Easter weekend - three days that changed the world forever - took place over 2,000 years ago. Mankind was lost, floundering - headed for destruction. But because God so loved the world, He gave his one and only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in him will never die & have eternal life. And like the good Shepherd, Jesus laid down His life for the flock - and suffered greatly in doing so. He didn't have to - but He did. That is why we celebrate.

Joe Heller

And that is why we need to start a new tradition this Easter - whether you're Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Wiccan, still thinking about it (come on already!), etc - because the holiday has nothing to do with chocolate. It's about showing love. Instead of just pounding some creme eggs & jelly beans - reach out to a friend or neighbor or total stranger. Get to know them - and look for ways you can help them. Donate your time. Donate some food. Whatever it is, just find a way to help someone in need.

America's woes are easily solvable with that one, powerful, incredible word: love. That is why we are gathering this summer for Restoring Love in Dallas at Cowboys Stadium - to remind people of our greater purpose and stir us to action. It's also why I have great hope - because I know the American people & what we are capable of when we put our minds, and more importantly our hearts, to something.

I look forward to hearing about your new Easter tradition - one that I believe will save the country.

Have a great Easter!

Laus Deo, 

Glenn Beck - April 6, 2012 (A man who has been demonized and could use our prayers as well!)

If you don’t know the story make it a goal to go to a church on Easter Sunday or an Easter pageant, watch a video, pick up the Bible or ask someone to tell you the story… It could change your life, even if it doesn’t convert you.  As Glenn says… It is a story of love.

I grew up a Christmas-Easter Catholic; my parents were burnt out Catholic school survivors from Europe, where the nuns ruled the classroom and the church had a lot of affect over their lives… until the Nazis took over. My husband occasionally went to church with the neighbors when he was a child and neither of us went to church regularly until we found a church together and re-dedicated our lives at age 40.  Yet because life was different when we grew up, we had enough of the basics and knew enough of the teachings that God and tradition were always part of our lives and decisions.  ‘He’ was at the center of American life.

The 14 years we spent involved with our children in the Glory of Easter (and Christmas) pageants and other church activities were some of the best of our lives.  They gave each holiday real meaning… not just baskets, bunnies, presents, trees, parties and celebrations.