Memorial Day 2013

In Remembrance: 

Today is Memorial Day.    There is nothing happy about it.  Its not a day to have fun.  Its a day of remembrance.  Some people get Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Armed Services day confused.  There is a difference. Memorial Day is a day to remember U.S. service members who have died during war. Veterans Day is a day to recognize & honor those who served in war.  Armed Services day is a day of recognizing those who volunteered to serve to protect our Country.


 Frank Salgado Jr. *Korean War* Sgt Salgado, although wounded, continued to direct fire on the enemy. Preventing the enemy forces from breaking through Company F perimeters. He died of his wounds on Sept.8,1950. He was awarded the Silver Star for his gallant & conspicuous courage. #MemorialDay #GreatUncle #InRemembrance

Memorial Day History

The Political Vortex

     Politics has taken over every facet of our society.  One side blames the other and the cycle continues.  Often times, people who want to do the right thing, get caught up in the game that is played, after a while, they don't realize that they are being sucked in to this vortex, and eventually lose perspective of the main reason for getting involved.  You have two sides blaming the other for the ills of the country, when the real culprit is sitting back watching the two bicker like little children.  I've said it once and I'll keep saying it again.  History is repeating itself.  I just saw a documentary on the Dust Bowl.  Some of you don't even know what that was, and most of us weren't even alive at the time.
     I believe America is going through another Dust Bowl.  No, I don't mean literally.  The same scenarios are being presented in which a group of people are in need of survival (unemployed), they feel like there is no hope(jobs).  The Federal Government blames the people for creating their own doom (Back then, the government blamed the farmers' style of cropping.  today its because some make too much money), gives the people an ultimatum(Federal Compliance), and then takes control of their lives (Car, Health, Education, Insurance, Bank, Financial Aid,Environmental, Agriculture, Energy, Currency,  Homestead Industries).  Back then, it was FDR who told the people that if they gave up farming, Government would help them. The people knew that Government was not the solution, but they had nowhere else to go.  The Feds came in, made green lands out of the farmers' lands and proclaimed that the problem was solved.  After nearly a decade, lo and behold, its starts raining on the day FDR visits the drought areas.  He takes the credit for saving families and also takes credit for it raining!  Never solving the initial problem, just providing a band aid  that after time, became a serious addiction amongst people.
     Fast forward to 2013 and are we not seeing the same thing? We have relied on the government to solve every problem that comes along, that we have forgotten how to think for ourselves.  Since when is it Governments responsibility to do this?  I see this country is not getting better, its getting worse.  Those who say otherwise are fooling themselves and you.  Because for the first time, we have more people relying on Government to solve their problems.  Meanwhile,  as the two party system continue in their bickering, the "system" is becoming a giant of a monster!



"The Dust Bowl" by Ken Burns 
Pt. 1  http://youtu.be/JJ7FvFKQPCE
Pt. 2  http://youtu.be/oobvk-uAk5A
Pt. 3  http://youtu.be/7AGHAbq9-0I
Pt. 4  http://youtu.be/3PMMcZVravM
Pt. 5  http://youtu.be/hqdCHumGpV4

Change

On today's blog, I thought I would write about something a little bit different than  usual.
     As some of you know I have been on a new diet and exercise regimen, trying to lose weight.  I've come a long way from that time when I used to be fit and active in sports and exercise.  A lot has happened in my life since then that has made me become more reserved and cautious about life in general, and in doing so, became very sedentary.  I had stopped exercising and being active, to just being content to stay home and do nothing.  A lot of that had to do with the death of my dad.  I stayed cooped up in my house because everything that meant a lot to me didn't seem as interesting any more.  I finally woke up and realized that life was passing me by.  I had gained so much weight and made so many poor choices in my life  that I felt stuck.  Until I came across this book (48 Days to the work you love), and it opened up a way of thinking that I hadn't had since I was younger. Even though It's taking me longer than 48 days, I believe I'm on the right track in my life.  Not only am I getting back on track "career" wise, but I've also decided it was time to get back into shape.  It seems to be a bit harder to do this time around.  It's much easier just to pop a pill in your mouth and watch the pounds come off, but that didn't happen. I was always hoping someone would find the magic solution to weight loss without any consequences.  It's funny how a life threatening event in your life will cause someone to take action.  For me, it was chest pains and border line high cholesterol and hypertension.  I've seen how others are dependent on pills for all kinds of ailments, and I didn't want that for myself. So I was up one night and I saw this infomercial about this new exercise routine p90x on DVD.  I ordered it thinking, "Ok, this is a start,  I'm really going to do it this time." I've ordered other exercise programs in the past, but with no success.  "I'm going to change my life by getting in shape first" I thought.   But I was struggling with it and I quit.   Then I met someone on social media who saw that I had an interest in getting fit and we started talking.  I told him I was struggling to workout so he suggested I try Shakeology  to give me a boost in energy and better mood. "I can do that", I thought.  "It's a money back guarantee."  "What do I have to lose?"  So I ordered it and I was pleasantly surprised.  It tasted really good! Pretty soon, I found myself cutting back on a lot of the snacks and carbohydrates  that I was eating before.  I kept on drinking Shakeology and I just felt better!  I had more energy and  mental clarity.  And my mood was uplifted.  I wasn't grumpy all the time.  I'm also eating organically healthy.  I have lost 30 lbs and am feeling very good about my future.  Everyone's talking about change you can believe in, well, I believe in this change I'm experiencing.  This year I'm going to change my life.  Even If I have to go it alone, I HAVE TO get in shape!"  No more wishing.  No more Hoping.  This is my top priority!  Since January of 2013 I got out of my comfort zone and entered the Beachbody Challenge and my workouts consist of doing Les Mills Combat  at least 5  times a week and drinking Shakeology every single day and I love IT!   I still have a ways to go, and I still struggle at times,  but now instead of quitting,  I look at why I failed, learn from it and move forward.  You know, there's a saying that goes, "Without change, nothing changes." I have been learning and enjoying the process of changing myself not only physically, but mentally as well.  It starts with that choice to want a better life for yourself.  For me, it was  time to stop talking about it and take action.  If you feel like your stuck in life as well, I'd like to hear from you.  If you need an accountability partner in your fitness, I will be that person!  I have been there, and I would like to help you.  But you must want that change first.  Are you ready for a change?