Never Forget the Sacrifice of Our Military

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We are listening! I asked you to subscribe if you like having guest bloggers write about the military, and the response was very clear. The subscription rate doubled this week from the previous week. That is telling us you want more posts about the military, so they will keep coming, plus updates on the book, “Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.”

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+ Here is the latest update on the progress of the book, “Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.”

May 7th, 2015

When I first reported to you there were 22 chapters done for the book. As of this morning there are now 49. I can see that there may be another 10 or so more chapters because I keep getting ideas from people on Facebook, and through emails on what I should cover, and the list keeps coming in.

I just finished a chapter on domestic violence in the military, which is a definite problem that keeps raising its ugly head. This chapter will help in that it has suggestions for help, and defines the problems domestic violence can have on a marriage.

I am working hard on a new chapter discussing PTSD. ( Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) It is an extremely hard chapter to write. I am doing lots of research to put this chapter together. I want it to be as accurate and helpful as possible.

Keep checking in here to see further progress. Better yet, subscribe so that you will get the updates every time I post. Just click on the icon right after the title to do that.

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I have invited back Dennis Booth to talk to us more about the tragedy that happened 100 years ago this month in his country of Australia. His short post is gut wrenching and makes us not forget any past battles or accomplishments that our own military’s have done. Thank you again Dennis.

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Dennis Booth

I think today of the towns, villages and hamlets almost wiped out of young and old men in WW1……Lest We Forget.
I think of the POW’s who passed away in captivity often in horrendous circumstances and those who returned with haunting and often perpetual nightmares….Lest We Forget.


I think of the women, who back home did their own military service in the Land Armies or in munitions factories like my mother did…Lest We Forget.


I think of the widows and mothers who received a telegram saying their husband or son had been killed in action……Lest We Forget.


I apologise on behalf of those who wont, for the way they treated returning troops from Vietnam….Lest We Forget.


I think of those lying in graves throughout the world who are Australian Services personnel…some with names, some unknown….We Will Never Forget.


And I think today that this country more than ever may be in some part of convict stock but it is very definitely of sacrificial stock and biased or not there is no country like ours nor might I say our neighbours New Zealand…….Lest We Forget.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

How do I Handle Criticism?

I want to say a huge thank you to all of you who have been subscribing to this site. Not long ago there were 884 subscribers. Today there are 1,330! That is almost 500 new subscribers. We are growing fast.

Why is this happening?  I try to share news about my book here, but I also share words of encouragement, and hope. It is the last part that is drawing in so many people. This is because many people in this hotel called earth, are suffering from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, and the many other usual suspects.

I am excited so many of you are joining me here. I want to keep the tremendous effort going. You can keep it going by subscribing today if you haven’t already. Just click on the icon right after the title on this page to do that.

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A quick update on my writing. My first book has received a national award from the Reader’s Favorite  Awards. It is an honor to be so fortunate to achieve this award.

My second book, Signs of Hope: For the Weak Days, is about half way through. My co-author Dennis Booth and I from New South Wales, Australia, are working hard to try to get this out for fall of this year.

I have even started a new book with a working title of, Signs of Hope: For the Military. I really have a feel for this one. I am a veteran, and so is one of my sons, who is a career soldier. I am writing this book because I am heart broken about the many suicides that occur in the military. It is much higher in percentage than the private sector. I want to reach out to the military, and show them hope.

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How Can I Face Criticism?

We make judgments all the time. People make judgments about you and me all the time.

I would guess all of you have faced criticism sometime in your life. I certainly have. It isn’t pleasant to go through. When someone criticizes you it causes you to have self-doubt, anxiety, and even depression.

I have some thoughts on criticism:

  • Criticism always seems to come when you least need it.
  • Criticism always comes when we least deserve it.
  • Criticism always comes from people who are least qualified to give it.
  • Criticism frequently comes in a form that is least helpful to us. (Gossip)

We need to know that:

  • With every achievement there is a price.
  • With every goal there is an opponent.
  • Some people put others down to make themselves look better.

Don’t let those negative people away you. Dr Suess was turned down 28 times before he got his first book published, and yet his books are national best sellers every year now.

Reach for that goal you have had forever and achieve it. Keep trudging down the narrow path to success. There are many rewards waiting there for you.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all….never, ever, give up!

 

 

Do You face More Than Your Share of Ailments?

We have had a big increase in subscribers lately! We just passed 1,100 subscribers! That number jumped from 800 just since January. Time for a celebration! Time for new goals. We would love to make it to 1,500 subscribers by the end of this new year. Please help us to continue to grow in 2014 by subscribing. You can do this by clicking on the icon right after the title.

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Exciting news! We have a new book on the way that I am writing with Dennis Booth, from New South Wales, Australia. It will be called, “Signs of Hope: For the Weak Days.” (Working Title.) It is a compiling of posts that Dennis and I have been doing on my blog at: www.dailysignsofhope.com. There are 0ver 57,000 followers on that site, and it is because so many people are seeking hope and it is provided there.

*Update: 4-4-14. 

We have a big delay in writing our book right now. Dennis and I have been going through some physical ailments. I have had to have a defibrillator placed in my chest, and I am struggling with a viral infection. Dennis had surgery last Wednesday on his hip and will down for a while. So the writing process has been slowed a great deal. 

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I have had quite a ride since I last posted here. I have received some awards for my book, Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World:

  • I have received six new 5 stars awards for my book. Check them out on Amazon.
  • I received a national award from the Reader’s Favorite Awards.
  • I was a runner-up in the MARsocial Author of the Year Awards. (This is like American Idol, except it is for authors.)

All this can be done by anyone of you. It is just doing the hard work of promotion, and persistence. (Like….go to the top of this page and click on bookstore to find out about the book that is receiving so many awards.)

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I mentioned above about having some health issues. I seem to have new ones every time I post here. I have had a bad couple of months.

I started feeling exhausted all the time, about two months ago. My cardiologist was seeing me and I told him it was getting worse. he tested my pacemaker and it seemed to be working fine. I continued to feel too tired to even get up each day.

Finally the doctor did a scan of the heart and he had to inform me that my heart was only working at 30% capacity. he felt there need to be something done right away to correct that.

He decided that I need to have a defibrillator placed in my chest. It would function in a manner that would surpass the pacemaker, and would provide a shock treatment if the heart stopped.

I had it put in and the energy went up quickly. I thought we had finally found what I need to enjoy life, and live it on my terms.
Then two weeks later I felt pain going down my left arm. I made an appointment with my cardiologist and he discovered that I had a hematoma forming in the surgery area of my chest. He said it wasn’t life threatening, and It would be OK in a couple of weeks.

I went home and the next day I cam down with a viral infection, and I am just getting over that.

Why am I telling you all of this?

Because I have found that when I start feeling sorry for myself, I go into depression, and battling the usual demons of anxiety, fear, self-doubt, etc.

I give all my pain and agony over to God, and I am able to withstand all the storms and trials that come my way. Is it that simplistic? Yes, it is. God is a very loving God. He cares. He is always there for you. If you ask Him for help he will be there walking with you.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above ll…never, ever, give up!