Where do you think, Soulja Boy, that you have the freedom to criticize our soldiers and veterans, then by the lives given for that freedom by the very saints that protect us and have protected us.  Would you die for another’s freedom… I am sure not.  I am grateful that I, my family, friends and other citizens dont have to count on you.  Do you Tyler?

• Tyler Southern

  So….the “rapper” Soulja Boy has released a new song that includes the phrase “F*CK THE ARMY TROOPS” he contiues on to say how “hard” and “real” he is and how “fake” vets are. I am going to test the power of social networking and see if this reaches him, but anytime he wants to defend that statement I know a lot of people who would gladly oblige. Do me a favor..(repost if your military or support the ppl who protect your freedom)

Thank you, Tyler.  From my heart.

Laura Manning is a young woman who survived the twin tower inferno almost ten years ago.  Every where I look there are reiminders of the anniversary of that day that changed American life forever.  Laura said she made a conscious decision to live with burns over 80% of her body.  A conscious decision:  Her statement made me think.  “Perceiving, apprehending, or noticing with a controlled state of awareness”.  Laura was asked about a statement in her book that she wondered after making that decision, and living through 25 surgeries and lots of therapy, if she had accomplished anything monumental in those ten years…hard she consciously made any impact or accomplished any major goal..” with the opportunity she had been given….?

whew.  I know I remember that very frozen moment in time when I heard on the car radio that a plan had hit the one of the twin towers.  I ran into my home and turned on the tv ust minutes or maybe seconds and watched the second plane.

I think I stopped breathing for a moment as I stood in shock, rationalizing that maybe it was a replay…no it wasnt a replay…

Ten years ago.  What have I accomplished in the last ten years?  Laura asks herself that question and she fought for her life, lives in the imperfect body as a result, bore another child.  Wrote a book re looking at her struggle. 

I wondered what I have accomplished in a whole, healthy body…..?

Did I do it consciously? or often just float along with a good bid of harried thrown in…conciously accomplish….

I want to conciously accomplish my day, my week, my years… consciously live, in the present moment…

I want to be more, feel more, make more of a difference.  I want to turn up the volume…be intent (not intense necessarily but I can be that) brighten the picture and also do that for those around me.

Today I am making a conscious decision to live…and of this moment, I dont have to use that decision just to fight to live.  No…where is that bucket list…..

Do you know why we celebrate Labor Day…?  I really didnt until I decided to look.  It was first celebrated in 1882 and was a salute to the American worker, to industry and to honor achievement in the work force!  Achievement, an interesting word. Without looking up that word I am struck by what it means to me:  accomplishment, pride in the effort it takes to accomplishment something for accomplishments sake, energy, dedication, and commitment.  It also indicates a sense of self satisfaction with obtaining a goal or goals.  Gosh, sounds like Capitalism to me!

So, doesnt sound like perhaps Labor celebrates Capitalism?  Have we forgotten the sense of price and personal development, accomplishment and Achievement is critical to our American Dream?

The backbone of our economy, our strength of character, our values, is also the backbone of our Country.  Why is it we have lost the idea of sacrificing our personal wants at the moment with a willingness to work toward an achievement for the greater good?  Why is it we seem to want something right now, or what is in it for “me”… Are we the U.S.?  us?

the ability to think about the good of the whole and not my immediate satisfaction?…mmmmm

Labor Day…. 

Several times this week I have come across the same thought, discussion and conclusion.  I have personal knowledge of a very dark side that exists in our community.  It is frightening to see where the world is heading and to see it not just on the news.  Those who know me tell me I wear rose colored glasses and today or at this point in my life, I choose to.  But…

I am afraid for our nation and our world.  Particularly having been educated in areas I wish I did not know existed. 

Whatever your belief, whatever you call Our God…please remember what Ronald Reagan said  “when we stop remembering we are “one National under God”…we will be a nation gone under”.  History bears that out…century over century when human life lost its morale compass…and immorality of al kinds became acceptable, society began to die.

2 Chronicals  7:14 is a reminder from God and a promise.  Please pray.  If you do not or have not prayed you do not know the peace that comes from that gift – try it.  And please remember to pray for our country – no matter your faith, God walks among us in many forms, I only ask that you find Him in your life and join us who are praying.  Thank you for reading.

Thank you for respecting my opinion and I will respect yours always (and pray for all of us too).

I was thinking as I got up this morning that there I wrote this very idealiist blog and challenge to all of us yesterday and wondered how I did.  Well, not poorly, but almost too busy to do a good job.  So I am going to try to re think today.  A great experience was calling to make an appointment at a prudential office and the young voice, call coordinator, asked me my name.  She said “and are you at Magnolia Properties?”.  Of course, I said yes – then hoping no negative comments were coming my way…..

She did for me what I asked each of us to do yesterday.  She made a difference in my day.  This  precious young lady said, I hear such good things about you.  Every time your name comes up someone comments on what an honorable, prefoessional and compassionate person you are, just wantd you to know.”

She gave me a gift.  A tremendous gift.  Just a few words, a moment of time.  Changed the face of my day for that moment on.

I challenge you to do that today.  Now…dont go making something up.  But let someone know when you cross paths today, something good….how about this, let each person you cross paths with know something good.

The Challenge is on!   Let me know what happens!

It has been a frustrating few weeks.  Many know that I seem to attract some very interesting challenges.  I think that because of my life experience I have told I am a very patient person.  WRONG!  Have you ever seen the picture of the woman who says something like you just got on my last nerve!  Well…maybe it is getting older…maybe it is being “just over it”…  I will accept no more, pettiness and selfishness.  Either in myself or those I surround myself with.  I will expect generous, compassion, give 110%, ask nothing, behavior in my world.  I will expect and drive all that I touch to be self starters, treat each and everyone’s business, issues, lives as if they were their own. 

The downfall of societies is an unwillingness to put off gratification and to not accept responsibility for behavior.  The downfall of generations of hard work, and values is to “let them do it’ let them pay for it…I did my share…

EXPECT SOMEONE ELSE TO BALANCE OUT WHAT YOU DO OR DO NOT DO…and expect someone else to profit.  Are you more worried that today you might work too hard or too long, have to pay the bill, short change yourself to benefit another…..than today you wlll find that small little darkness beinning to creep into your being…that sense of “I want’ I need”..I did not get…someone else has…someone else got… 

Did your parents worry first about you and the lives they gave you (and if they didnt so what – deal with it – dont let the failure continue because that is what you do when you blame them”…)

It begins in small ways:

Did you….do something for entertainment that cost money you did not have?  If you owe a bill and play before payin it…..you are the very cause of what as grown into our economy.  Why would you dare think you are entitled to do that?  why?

Why are you entitled to a raise…did you perform not only to exceed your cost to the company you work for but to exceed what your expectation is?  I dont care if it is the US Government.  I went to Catholic School.  I learned so many positive views there that seem to be lost today.  We were taught that if you worked for someone, and did nogive them all you…you were stealing from them.  If you agree to perform a service and do not do that to the best of your ability you steal from those you serve.  “Thou shall not steal” is very real and just doesnt mean things or money.  It means, time, effort commitment, responsibility.  If you did not leave this day, this place, this person better for having you…than you are stealing from God who gave you the gifts to use.  How dare you?

DId you pass by someone that you know needed a little support of some kind but didnot want to slow your day.

Did you make someone feel as though you were somehow smarter or better or that a particular job was beneath you?

Do you think you are smart…look around you….what is it that makes you more “together” than someone else if your own back yard is a mess…

Hey You…I mean you, I mean me…I mean today it can begin to be a different day.  Where responsibility, kindness, dedication and commitment can not only change out own life, but all the lives we touch. 

Today, I will look at each person as an individual just like me.  With lots of challenges and heartbreaks I dont see.  I will encourage them. but will accept no excuses.

I will not make one excuse myself (a tough one…but very freeing…very enlightening)

I will do what I say and…..oh oh….say what I do!

How dare you waste another minute, cause I dont know about you but I have gotten older very quickly…dont think it is slowing any, do you?

Lets see what I can do today…but I do know I intend to surround myself with like minded people.

What does it mean to be American? I learned first hand in the past several days.  Diego Villanueva and his wife, Anna, gave their son to the US Army in Afghanistan.  He gave his life.

I was honored to be considered family (all of our Magnolias that attended were given that honor by the family) and were allowed on the tarmac as the private jet bearing Jonathan returned to NAS.

One of my favorite movies is “Taking Chance” with Kevin Bacon.  I saw it played out in painful real life these past few days.

Do you know Rolling Thunder?  WHo they are…what they do?  I have no idea how many choppers were there – actually never left the body from its arrival to burial – at least 40 or 50 plus.  These are the Vietnam Vets who ride the bikes, carry our flag on big wooden poles, accompany the body when being transported on the ground, stand guard (“Flag Line”) at the funeral home…then the funeral,…at the cemetary.  Hour upon Hour never moving.  I feel very honored to have been in their presence.

Caravaning from the airport…many many motorcycles, policemen, soldiers…so many…accompanied us and as we left the air strip and drove through the base, thousands of people lined the streets.  Some with flags, some with their hands over their heart…many saluting….most with tears in their eyes.  These heartfelt tears, these expressions of love and gratitude were not just for Jonathan and his family, but for all our military and their famililies…for our Country.  The outpouring was like nothing I have ever experienced.  Those streets were lined with angels…standing shoulder to shoulder with each person who gave his time, honor and attention to this precious 19 year old child who died for our beliefs and values.

Then the police, the firemen…as well as other military personnel stand guard.  They also accompany the caravan…

and those on the road stop and salute as we passed.  So many people stopped at red lights, at street corners..got out of their cars and stood with their hands over their hearts.  A sight that I will never, ever forget.

There is so much more to say…to explain…and I want to tell you.  I want to share this experience and would ask that every one, every American…no matter their politics remember that we are here in this great land, the greatest in the world (if you havent travelled…you really cant understand how minutely and grandly true that is)…because someone gave his life, someone offered their sons and daughters, to protect in what we stand for.  Freedom.  Not just our freedom but the right to freedom for every person, this country and others.  An honorable challenge.  A Godly quest.

Imagine driving down the street behind  the motorcade and seeing the outpouring of respect, love appreciate…tears…from thousands of total strangers….bound by one thing – a love of our country.  I wish each American could experience such an incredible solidfying event. (without the loss) and see what they are a part of.

One of our team is from Italy.  He was completely overwhelmed, over come and said he did not understand who and what we are until this day.

And this was only the beginning of such an honorable experience.  Look at all the lives touched by this 19 year old…and it is only the beginning…..

Anyone who knows me, knows Miss Jean.  Miss Jean comes to the office every morning by 9 am.  If she is running late she calls to let me know.  That is a rare occasion.  She wants to make sure someone is there to answer the phone just in case another runs late. 

That first cup of coffee at the office; made by Miss Jean.  Birthday cards, sympathy cards, meeting anouncements, phone calls regarding up coming events…all taken care of by Miss Jean.  If you come in for a visit  she is gracious and welcoming, making sure you are comfortable until your agent arrives or she goes and alerts them.

She decorates the ofice for holidays.  Leaves chocolate kisses just exactly when you need one.  She will celebrate her 84th birthday this year and we could not run our office without her.

But did you know…these are the same things she has been doing her whole life and many many more.  As the mother of six, she was always busy (4 boys!) and a high school teacher.  She took care of her family in so many special ways.  If it was a cold morning – she warmed our clothes on the oven door.  If she had to leave very early, she left our breakfast on trays by our doors (yes all six of us).  I am not sure she ever slept…truly.  I cannot recall ever seeing her in bed – even if I got up in the middle of the night..I always knew where she was – folding clothes.

I havent even told you of the gracious and truly elegant and humble way she has traveled her life – even during tremendous tragedy.  When I tell people my story they always say “write a book”…but it is her story where it begins.

There is not enough room to begin to tell you.

Yes Miss Jean is my mother.  She has worked with me for the entire 30 years I have been in real estate.  I am blessed beyond measure.

If you feel blue, need to be on a prayer list, or just want to laugh…come by and see her.  She will be in tomorrow by 9 am, so anytime after that is good.

I would be lost….no I wouldnt even be me….without her.

I love you Mom, beyond measure.

Your daughter

Eileen

I am feeling just a little nostalgic this morning.  Do you remember when we had seasonal markets?…or am I just a long timer (I prefer to “old timer”)… We used to look for azaleas, greening up grass, mosquitos and increase interest in home sales…awwwhhhh  Spring. 

Then we hit “This market”…

it all just ran together, slow and slower, hard and harder….

but I do believe I feel like Spring again…Do you?  I think Jacksonville Florida real estate is beginning to return to….well maybe…what really is normal?>>>

because he just may get up again!  I love this wise saying.  Something I have learned about myself, the older I get the more tolerant I become of our differences and unique qualities…but the more I will fight on principal or challenge evil than ever.

I have been tested over and over and it is truly THE TRUTH…..the more you experience the stronger you become.  I see that very clearly now.

I often ask why people dont just “do right”…., and life is so much simpler and less stressful living in the truth.  Mistakes, we all make them.  A mistake made without malicious intent can always be repaired or resolved – always.  I will help you “fix it’  but

do something malicious, conniving and hurtful……I will not only not be helpful…. I will do the best in my power to make you do what is right to repair the damage.  No question.

It is my responsibility to God and my family, to all that are sharing lives with me…  if I don’t, that I am a partner in the negative act.  I will not be part of the problem.  Let us all make that promise so that ultimately, this world will be a better, cleaner, more honest, accepting, loving place for our children’s children.

“Stand up and be counted” I hear my fathers voice….

“God sees those things you do that you are ashamed of:…and He is more inportant than those you hide it from”…

He sees everything……always make Him proud……

Happy Sunday!