True Heroism: The Urge to Serve Others

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”

~ Arthur Ashe,
Tennis Player, Grand Slam winner(3x)
Wimbledon Singles, US Open & Australian Open winner

A Tribute Never Equal to the Debt They Are Owed

“Today, we gather to honor those who gave everything to preserve our way of life. The men and women we honor here served for liberty. They sacrificed for liberty. And in countless acts of courage, they died for liberty. From faraway lands, they were returned to cemeteries like this one, where broken hearts received their broken bodies — they found peace beneath the white headstones in the land they fought to defend.

… The men and women of American armed forces perform extraordinary acts of heroism every single day. Like the nation they serve, they do not glory in the devastation of war. They also do not flinch from combat when liberty and justice are embattled. Ronald Tucker, Nathan Hardy and Mike Koch make clear, they do not waver — even in the face of danger.

And so today, here in Washington and across our country, we pay tribute to all who have fallen — a tribute never equal to the debt they are owed. We will forever honor their memories. We will forever search for their comrades, the POWs and MIAs. And we pledge — we offer a solemn pledge to persevere and to provide the security for our citizens and secure the peace for which they fought.

The soil of Arlington and other sites is filled with liberty’s defenders. It is nourished by their heroism. It is watered by the silent tears of the mothers and fathers, and husbands and wives, and sons and daughters they left behind. Today we pray for God’s blessing on all who grieve and ask the Almighty to strengthen and comfort them today and everyday.

The soil of Arlington and other sites is filled with liberty’s defenders. It is nourished by their heroism. It is watered by the silent tears of the mothers and fathers, and husbands and wives, and sons and daughters they left behind. Today we pray for God’s blessing on all who grieve and ask the Almighty to strengthen and comfort them today and everyday.

On this Memorial Day, I stand before you as the Commander-in-Chief and try to tell you how proud I am at the sacrifice and service of the men and women who wear our uniform. They’re an awesome bunch of people and the United States is blessed to have such citizens.

I am humbled by those who have made the ultimate sacrifice that allow a free civilization to endure and flourish. It only remains for us, the heirs of their legacy, to have the courage and the character to follow their lead — and to preserve America as the greatest nation on earth and the last best hope for mankind.

May God bless you and may God bless America.”

~ George W. Bush,
Politician, Businessman, 46th Governor of Texas (1995-2000) & 43rd President of the United States (2001-2009)

The Way He Celebrated Father’s Day

“I always joke that my kids’ favorite holiday is Father’s Day.
They love the way I celebrate the occasion by writing each of them a thank-you letter and a generous check.
It’s my way of letting them know how much I appreciate the great pleasure and privilege of being their dad.”

~ Wayne Dyer,
Philosopher, Author, & Motivational Speaker

Life Has Been a Blessing

“It’s just a whole different thing, and it’s just that my life has been a blessing,
and I thank God every day for the gifts that He has given me and for my daughter;
and to be able to watch her grow and be a part of her joys and her excitement
and what she wants to do in life.”

~ Teena Marie
Singer, Songwriter Musician, Record Producer & Arranger

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One of the Greatest Dreams Come True

“I would honestly say that with all the awards and all the other things that I’ve done in my life,
Dollywood is one of the greatest dreams that I’ve ever had come true –
I am so proud of that I can’t even begin to tell you, Dollywood is real special to me.”

~ Dolly Parton,
Singer-Songwriter, Instrumentalist, Record Producer, Actress, Author,
Businesswoman, Humanitarian, Grammy Awards (8X), Grammy Nominee (46X),
Academy Award Nominee (2X), Country Music Association Awards (10X),
Academy of Country Music Awards (7X), American Music Awards (3X), &
Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award

 

Every Day, One Day at a Time, is Thanksgiving

“I am grateful to have my life back and for the friends and family who never gave up on me,
for a God who was there when I was ready to find Him.
I am grateful for so much, that every day, one day at a time, is Thanksgiving.”

~ Andrew Zimmern
Culinary Expert, Chef, Restaurateur, Television Personality, Radio Personality,
Director, Producer, Entrepreneur, Food Critic, Journalist, Teacher, Author
James Beard Award for Outstanding TV Food Personality (4X) & Effie Award (2010)

Something We Should All Celebrate Every Day

“We’re getting ready to sit down at the table and have Thanksgiving,
and there’s people that are not with their families.
There are people that are in dangerous areas, putting their lives on the line
to keep our country free, and I think that’s something we should all celebrate every day.”

~ Guy Fieri,
Restaurateur, Author, Television Host, Hunt & Ryde Winery Owner & Emmy Award

~ Image via NAME HERE

Noticing Your Life’s ‘Good Things’

“If you are seeing good, you are seeing God. …
When something good happens, you’re seeing God.
Make sure you thank Him for it; make sure you give Him the credit.”

~ Joel Osteen,
Pastor – Lakewood Church, Motivational Speaker, Author & Executive Producer

Thankful for the Failures

“I thank God for my failures. Maybe not at the time, but after some reflection.
I never feel like a failure just because something I tried has failed.”

~ Dolly Parton,
Singer-Songwriter, Instrumentalist, Record Producer, Actress, Author,
Businesswoman, Humanitarian, Grammy Awards (8X), Grammy Nominee (46X),
Academy Award Nominee (2X), Country Music Association Awards (10X),
Academy of Country Music Awards (7X), American Music Awards (3X), &
Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award

singer, songwriter, , actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian,

Crises: Motivation for Innovation

“Crises provides the motivation for innovation. It is a call to change the way you do life.
The most important challenge will be to change yourself as well as to reinvent yourself in the process!
Go ahead! Make the change! Your future self will thank you!”

~ Juanita Bynum,
Singer, Author & Pastor

One of the Best Prayers Anyone Could Say

“‘Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot.
Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.”

~ Alice Walker,
Novelist, Short Story Writer,
Poet & Political Activist

Appreciation for What They Do

“We generally can only work with the people we have.
I’ve learned through years that showing appreciation to all
for what they do goes a really long way.
Being thankful is not an event, it is a way of life.”

~ Tudor Bismark,
Pastor, Speaker, Author, Co-Founder – Jabula New Life Ministries,
Co-Pastor – New Life Covenant Church

Seeing What You Do Have

“When you are grateful – when you can see what you have –
you unlock blessings to flow in your life.”

~ Suze Orman,
Author, Financial Advisor,
Motivational Speaker & Television Host

Everyday Epiphanies

“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies,
those transcendent moments of awe
that change forever how we experience life and the world.

~ John Milton
Poet, Polemicist, Man of Letters
& Civil Servant – Commonwealth of England

For Your Blessings, …

“Be true to yourself,
help others,
make each day your masterpiece,
make friendship a fine art,
drink deeply from good books – especially the Bible,
build a shelter against a rainy day,
give thanks for your blessings and
pray for guidance every day.”

~ John Wooden,
Basketball Player, UCLA Head Coach (1948–1975), Author,
Lecturer, The Sporting News “Greatest Coach of All Time” (2009)

If …, You’ll End Up Having More

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.
If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

Oprah Gail Winfrey,
Chairwoman & CEO of Harpo Productions,
Chairwoman, CEO & CCO of Oprah Winfrey Network,
Television Host, Producer, Author, Actress & Philanthropist

Thankfulness: The Beginning of Gratitude

“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude.
Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness.
Thankfulness may consist merely of words.
Gratitude is shown in acts.”

~ Henri Frederic Amiel,
Moral Philosopher, Poet & Critic

When You Rise, Give Thanks

“When you rise in the morning, give thanks
for the light,
for your life,
for your strength.
Give thanks
for your food and
for the joy of living.
If you see no reason to give thanks,
the fault lies in yourself.”

~ Tecumseh,
Shawnee Warrior & Chief, Orator & Founder – Prophetstown

Energy for Thankfulness & Giving

“Thanksgiving Day is a good day to recommit
our energies to giving thanks and just giving.”

~ Amy Grant,
Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Author, Media Personality,
Grammy Awards (6X), Gospel Music Association Dove Awards (22X)
& Hollywood Walk of Fame (star)

A Spirit of Complaining

“When we feel that old spirit of complaining start to bubble up in our hearts,
we need to remind ourselves to take time to thank God for His blessings.”

~ David Jeremiah,
Author, Founder – Turning Point Radio and Television “Ministries”
& Senior Pastor – Shadow Mountain Community Church

With a Full Heart

“Greet every morning with open arms
and say thanks every night with a full heart.
Each day is a precious gift to be savored and used,
not left unopened and hoarded for a future that may never come.

~ Regina Brett,
Author, Newspaper Columnist & Inspirational Speaker

Twenty-year Old Boxes!

“Thanks to my mother, not a single cardboard box has found its way back into society.
We receive gifts in boxes from stores that went out of business twenty years ago.”

~ Erma Bombeck,
Humorist, Syndicated Columnist, Author & Writer

Happiness: The Bomb Cosmetic!

“Happiness is the bomb cosmetic! When I’m smiling,
sometimes I’m giving thanks for all the things
I have rather than worrying about the things I don’t.”

~ Yaya DaCosta,
a.k.a. Camara DaCosta Johnson
Actress & Model

Friends, Family, Good Health & Louboutins

“At Thanksgiving, I always start at the top of my list
and say I’m grateful for friends, family and good health.
Then, I get more superficial… like being thankful for my Louboutins.”

~ Christie Brinkley
a.k.a Christie Lee Hudson,
Super-Model, Actress, Artist,Author & Entrepreneur

~ Have a blissful Thanksgiving celebration! I am grateful for you and your ‘follow’. Thank-you!

True Desire in The Heart

“Say thank you in advance for what is already yours. …
True desire in the heart for anything good is God’s proof to you
sent beforehand that it’s already yours. …
When you get it, reach back, pull someone else up.
Each one, teach one. Don’t just aspire to make a living,
aspire to make a difference.”

~ Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr.,
Golden Globe Awards (2x), Tony Award,
Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor

For Today, Be Thankful

“Today, I am thankful for today!

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For That Chance

“If I can play a little part in the world’s healing,
and making it a better place than when I came,
then I just thank God for that chance.”

~ Mariska Magdolna Hargitay,
Joyful Heart Foundation – Founder & President, Actress, Miss Beverly Hills USA (1982),
Emmy Award (2006), Golden Globe Award (2005), Gracie Allen Award (2004, 2009, 2014),
Muse Award (2012), Prism Award (2007), Star on the Walk of Fame (2013)

A Priceless Gift

“Friendship is a priceless gift that cannot be bought nor sold,
but its value is far greater than a mountain made of gold;
for gold is cold & lifeless – it can neither see nor hear,
in time of trouble its powerless to cheer –
it has no ears to listen, no heart to understand,
it cannot bring you comfort or reach out a helping hand.
So when you ask God for a gift, be thankful if God sends not diamonds,
pearls or riches but the love of real true friends.”

~ Muhammad Ali
a.k.a Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.,
Boxer & Heavyweight Champion of the World (1964-1979, 3X)

Noble Souls are Grateful

“Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.”

~ Aesop,
Fabulist/& Storyteller

~ Image via NAME HERE

Returning Thanks

“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.

~ Saint Ambrose,
Bishop

~ Image via NAME HERE