Memorial Day Moment*

First a quote:?“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.” –?Unknown, although believed to be from an Irish tombstone.

Regardless of your plans for this extended holiday weekend, may each of us find a little time of quiet solitude for reflection and gratitude. ?May each of us, in our own way, find at least a few brief moments to reflect on all that we have, all that we are as a country, and the price which has been paid by so many for the freedoms we all enjoy, and all too often, take for granted.

While as a country, we certainly have much work yet to be done, in so many ways and in so many places, we also have so much to be thankful for. This is a great weekend for reflection, gratitude, thankfulness and harmony.

One of my mentors once taught me the following:?“There is only one thing missing between us and the attainment of world peace; that one thing… one single green Martian.”?

His point, if our world faced a common enemy, it would draw us together as one world, as one people, as human beings… each with dreams, fears, hopes and aspirations.

On this Memorial Day holiday weekend, I suggest our country, and perhaps our world, does have a common enemy. That common enemy is divisiveness, disrespect, bigotry and an absence of compassion and human decency.

I don’t know the author, but I have always liked the following adaptation of Reinhold Niebuhr’s famous serenity prayer:

Grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know… it’s me.

Let’s each do our individual part to make this a better world… where we are, where we live and work, who we’re with, and with what we have, no matter how much or how little.

Let’s all start today… Memorial Day Weekend 2024.

It is only fitting we set aside a few moments from our picnics, parties and activities for quiet reflection for the ultimate price paid by countless heroes in the past for our freedoms today.

And, for all those still actively serving our country today, be it in any branch of the armed forces, police, firefighters, or first-responders… thank you for your service. I’m personally grateful for all you do… past, present and future.

How will you live, love, or lead differently, or better, this week?

Have a safe and wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Bryan Yager

“Expanding Your Capacity for Success”

* Revised and updated. Originally published on May 27, 2019.

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Bonus Quotes:

• “Each of the patriots whom we remember on this day was first a beloved son or daughter, a brother or sister, or a spouse, friend, and neighbor.”?— George H. W. Bush
• “In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.” —?Franklin D. Roosevelt
• “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.”?— Bill Clinton