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Today we celebrate Memorial Day in the United States. When we hear “Memorial Day”, most Americans think of it as the beginning of the summer, a day filled with picnics, parties, warm weather and fun times. Yet when we look back to the origins on this holiday, the way we celebrate it is quite different from the original intent.

According to History.com, Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the American military. First observed in 1868 as Decoration Day, it was designated for the purpose of strewing flowers and decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country. It became an official US federal holiday in 1971.

Recognizing that our InspireMeToday.com family is a global community that far exceeds the borders of the United States, let’s use this day to honor all those who have given their lives to protect all of our families and our homes. In today’s day and age, with the inner-connectivity we enjoy through fast modes of travel and instant communication through the Internet, we are now one global community. Our economies and cultures blend in a way like never before.

Today, as we recognize and honor those who lost their lives serving our countries, let us also take this one step further. Let’s join together to create a day when we will lay down our swords and meet to settle differences in a more civilized fashion. Our fallen soldiers have paid the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives for their country. We are truly grateful for their service and honor their memory with respect and appreciation.

Let us learn from the past and grow in knowledge so that our children and grandchildren can celebrate this day as a day of peace and celebration.

No matter where we are in the world today or the country of our origin, we are all part of the same global family sharing one home on planet Earth. In that way, we are all the same. We are all children of God. Let us look for and celebrate all the ways that we are alike rather than quarrel over our differences. So let us take today and be thankful for life. As WWII General George S. Patton said, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”

The fact that we are here in this very moment, that we are alive, is cause for celebration. For what is the purpose to mourn those who died to give us the right to live, if we then fail to live our lives? The best way to honor those who died so that we may live, is for us to live our lives fully and with celebration!

Today, take a moment to be grateful for those who have come before you. Honor what once was. Then go enjoy and celebrate life. Celebrate the reason you are here. Connect to and celebrate something bigger than yourself. Go reach out to your global community, share love and make a difference. Give your life to something bigger than yourself, in honor of those who came before, those who will come after, and in honor of this amazing gift of life itself.

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Gail Lynne Goodwin is the founder of InspireMeToday.com, bringing the best inspiration to the world. InspireMeToday.com provides free inspiration, each day from a new Inspirational Luminary, to a global community of folks from over 150 countries. Gail has interviewed many well-known names including Sir Richard Branson, Guy Laliberte, Seth Godin, Tony Hseih, Gary Vaynerchuk, Michael Gerber, Marci Shimoff, Jack Canfield and hundreds more. According to Mashable, Gail was one of 2009's Top 25 Most Inspirational People on Twitter.

Prior to InspireMeToday.com, Gail spent several years as manager for her recording artist daughter, Carly. As a result of the success of their co-penned song, "Baby Come Back Home", Gail accompanied her daughter to bases in the US and to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where Carly performed for our troops. Gail and Carly created the 'World's Longest Letter' of love and support and delivered the 18-mile long scroll on a month-long tour of Iraq and the Persian Gulf in 2006.

Gail is excited to present her latest course, Love in 21 Days, a step-by-step guide to finding love online. Love in 21 Days is founded on a logical process that has been tested - and proven! - by not only Gail, but also by students around the world who too have found love.

Gail is a published author and a regular writer for the Huffington Post. She offers mentoring and mastermind services to clients worldwide from her home in Whitefish, Montana. Follow Gail on Twitter or Google+.

Comments (4)

  1. Gail, these are such powerful and meaningful words you write. Our day across the ‘pond’ is coming to its close but I for one, have been stirred by its truth and will be joining in the celebration. If enough of us, care enough, to lay down our hate and resentment and open our hearts to each other’s differences; if enough of us join hands, wherever we may physically be; if enough of us understand that we can’t shift a mountain in one move but….BELIEVE…in our own strength to do so – then shall the world experience peace.

    Love and Peace,

    Susan

    1. Dear Susan,

      Thank you for your kind words. It is our hope that they inspire and that you find meaning in them- so it sounds like we’ve succeeded today. 🙂 I hope that your day was filled with celebration and gratitude for the blessings in your life. I reach my hand out to you across the pond in the hopes that peace on earth- and within, starts now.

      Hugs and thanks,
      Gail

  2. Beautiful Gail. I live next door to the country that celebrates memorial day. Today I love humanity. I celebrate by living my life.

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