A Quiet Thank You on Memorial Day As highly sensitive people, introverts, and those with social anxiety, we often feel things deeply—but even we can forget to pause and appreciate what truly matters. Today is Memorial Day in the U.S.—a time to remember the brave soldiers who gave their lives so we could live in freedom. I’ll be honest… I’ve taken this day for granted before. Gotten caught up in the weekend plans, the noise, the distractions. But today, I slowed down.I sat with the sadness.I felt deep gratitude.And I whispered a quiet thank you. To those who served and sacrificed—thank you. To the families who carry the loss—my heart is with you. To every veteran and active service member—thank you. If you have a…

I wrote this poem in 2005 while stranded on a seven-hour train ride from New York to New Jersey. This would normally take one hour! It was a hot summer night. The train had been delayed because of a damaged power line. I was exhausted and upset. This was a situation that I couldn’t control. This poem symbolizes my way, as a highly sensitive person, to best cope with this situation.

Self-Appreciation 

Who are you?
Where do you fit in this world?
We come in different colors, shapes, sizes, abilities, and aptitudes.
Some of us are able bodied, and some of us are not.
Some of us have physical handicaps, and some of us are handicapped by our thinking.
Some of us have attitudes that will make us soar, whoever we are.
We all have choices. We can choose to make our situations better or worse.
We are all dealt circumstances that we can and cannot control.
Don’t we owe it to ourselves, our loved ones, and our world to make the best out of whatever we’ve got?
Why not make the best out of your lot?
For better or worse, we’re all we’ve got. (more…)

Although social festivities and family gatherings obscure the original meaning of Labor Day, having the first Monday in September off as a paid holiday is a greatly appreciated benefit for all American workers who have it. However, without the fringe benefit of paid holidays, many Americans either have to work or lose money if they take Labor Day off.
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