As human beings, we have a natural tendency to take things for granted. Our brains are hardwired to focus our attention on things that aren’t going well and ignore the things that are. We forget to celebrate and honor the good things.

Today is Memorial Day in the United States. This holiday pays tribute to the courageous soldiers who fought to protect the freedoms that Americans enjoy. It’s a time to honor those who lost their lives as well as all to thank all those who have or are serving. Unfortunately this time of remembrance and respect sometimes gets lost, and people don’t remember the sacrifices that these brave soldiers made.
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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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