“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received.
Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling.”
It’s the beginning of November….Halloween is over….and although some stores show signs of Thanksgiving, most are already promoting the Christmas season. Do we ever stop to take a breath? Do we ever slow down to smell the roses, or smile at a stranger or reflect on our lives or are we so caught up in the “hustle and bustle” of daily living that we forget to do little things for ourselves…and others?
Did you know that aside from Thanksgiving, November is a very important month?
November 11th is Veteran’s Day. My father was a veteran. Do you have or did you have a veteran in your family? If you did, take a few minutes to talk with them (if they are still around) or at least think about them and send them love no matter where they are.
A little history: Veteran’s Day is a public holiday held on the anniversary of the end of World War I (November 11) to honor US veterans and victims of all wars. It replaced Armistice Day in 1954.
“While many realize that Veterans Day, which always falls on November 11, is a day to honor our Veterans, few realize the historical significance behind the day. Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day and marked the end of hostilities of World War I that occurred at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.”
November 15th is the deadline for Live Your Dream applications to be turned in…and we begin our quest for 5 (yes…5 this year) amazing women who are going to school and often working to honor.
November 20th is UN Rights of the Child Day. “United Nations Universal Children’s Day was established in 1954 and is celebrated on November 20th each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.
November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Since 1990, Universal Children’s Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the declaration and the convention on children’s rights.
Mothers and fathers, teachers, nurses and doctors, government leaders and civil society activists, religious and community elders, corporate moguls and media professionals as well as young people and children themselves can play an important part in making Universal Children’s Day relevant for their societies, communities and nations.
Universal Children’s Day offers each of us an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for Children.” (source: http://www.un.org/en/events/childrenday/).
November 23rd is Thanksgiving.
November 25th is UN End Violence Against Women Day. From the UN website:
“Why This International Day?
- Violence against women is a human rights violation.
- Violence against women is a consequence of discrimination against women, in law and also in practice, and of persisting inequalities between men and women.
- Violence against women impacts on, and impedes, progress in many areas, including poverty eradication, combating HIV/AIDS, and peace and security.
- Violence against women and girls is not inevitable. Prevention is possible and essential.
- Violence against women continues to be a global pandemic.
One of the major challenges to efforts to prevent and end violence against women and girls worldwide is the substantial funding shortfall. As a result, resources for initiatives to prevent and end violence against women and girls are severely lacking. Frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals, which includes a specific target on ending violence against women and girls, offer huge promise, but must be adequately funded in order to bring real and significant changes in the lives of women and girls.
From 25 November through 10 December, Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence aim to raise public awareness and mobilizing people everywhere to bring about change. This year, the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign invites you to “Orange the world,” using the colour designated by the UNiTE campaign to symbolize a brighter future without violence. Organize events to orange streets, schools and landmarks!”
I encourage you to wear orange…or make an orange ribbon and wear it from November 25 through December 10 to show your support and raise awareness.
And so I leave you today with a 
few quotes….
Terry
