Empowered Zone Blog

Thanksgiving

empoweredblog — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:24:52 +0000

The economy has hit us all hard this year, yet there is still a lot to be thankful for. I’m thankful for my family and friends, my home, my 4 legged animals that offer unconditional love at any time of the day, the love of my life who is sharing this journey with me, my health and the health of those around me, a smile and or a hello from a stranger, cheap gas prices, a sunny day, I’m breathing and a host of other things I’m thankful for. No matter what your situation is, there is always a ray of hope and something to be thankful for. Even one thing. It could be the simplest thing in the world. One that makes you smile. Find that smile, hold onto it and wish yourself a Happy Thanksgiving. I’m smiling just writing this.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

Amazing!

empoweredblog — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:22:23 +0000

Over the weekend I took the dogs for a walk down to the creek. Now this portion of the creek is an area that flows through a protected watershed environment. We walked down the hill and the dogs were running and romping and splashing in the creek. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a very large bird. Now we always see a variety of hawks, herons, turkey vultures and other birds in this area but this one was special. I saw a majestic eagle! So silent as it flew past me. I stopped in delight and wonder to watch it go by. Living in PA for the majority of my life, I’ve never seen or have spoken to anyone who has seen an eagle in our part of the world. The experience gave me goosebumps. Now of course I was by myself and couldn’t share it with anyone nor did I have a cell phone with me. The dogs were very unimpressed and were more interested in playing in the water than sharing this experience. I was awestruck by its size and power and the fact it flew right by me! I decided that experience was just for me. Wheather on a spiritual level or a just because level it was only for me. The eagle was there for a reason and it made itself known only to me. I’ve taken it as a sign. Not sure what it is right now but it will come. I do know that I experienced something not a lot of people had the opportunity to see. I still think that it was the coolest thing ever and a memory I’ll always cherish. As soon as I find the reason this experience was just for me, I’ll let you know!

Veterans Day

empoweredblog — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:32:42 +0000

Today is Veterans Day. The men and women who have served and or serving in our nations military need a “THANK YOU” today. They need one everyday but today is special. These individuals have made a commitment to our country to serve and protect and in the worse case scenario, pay the ultimate sacrifice. No questions asked, they just do it because that’s what they believe in. Our freedoms today were given to us by those who served. If you paid attention to the past election you truly saw and experienced democracy at work. That couldn’t have happened without our service people who have fought to protect our right to a free and democratic society. For those that have fought in wars, we will never know what horrible things they saw. Those that have lost parts of their bodies because of war wounds, we will never understand the pain they are going through. Those that had a loved one die in a foreign conflict, we will never know how the agony of family and friends. Those families who’s loved ones are classified as MIA’s, we will never know the agony to never know what has happened to them. Our military serve because that’s who they are and what they do. I’m thankful for the freedoms we have today and the comfort we live in because of these brave men and women. So for all of you that are serving or have served THANK YOU! I appreciate it!

Election

empoweredblog — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:55:58 +0000

Well its finally over. Two years of “I’m better than he/she is because……” Whittling down the crowd to two. Then more months of “I’m better than he is because……” I have to say I’m glad its over. Glad the political commercials are over, the endless political phone calls and flyer’s in the mail. So much hype, anticipation and money! But being a party of history and watching and experiencing it, priceless and so cool! Voting and having that privilege is not just a right but a responsibility in our household. We are a house that saviors the American dream. Numerous family members have fought and were wounded in war and many have served in the military. They have afforded us those dreams. It’s what we do because that’s who we are.

Voting in the election was a community event in our small town. When we went to the firehouse to vote, of course we saw people we knew. Discussions evolved, points were made and the votes were cast. Then we watched in anticipation the elections results. We all were true Americans yesterday. Involving ourselves in our democratic process and making the point to stand in line, no matter for how long, to make your vote count. I spoke to a young man today that recently moved into the area. He stated if he could not have voted in the area he lived in, he would have flow back to his hometown in Texas just to do so. Another young women who goes to school in Phila, took the train home to the suburbs, had someone pick her up, drive to their polling place, voted in her first presidential election, and got the train back Phila. This election meant so much to so many people. No matter who you voted for, history was made yesterday and we ALL were a part of it. I noticed people smiling today. There’s a new feeling in the air. Maybe it’s hope or a feeling that better things are coming? Or maybe it’s just because they made the decision to make their one vote count and be a part of history. What ever it is I hope it continues. Keep smiling and know we are a nation where any dream can come true. We are the best of the best. God Bless the USA!

Walk for the Cure

empoweredblog — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:03:05 +0000

Well Team Empowered completed all 60 miles for the Breast Cancer 3 day 60 mile Walk for the Cure benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure! This year, Philadelphia had 3,100 walkers participating and raised $8.1 million dollars. What an event! The organization kept all 3,100 of us fed ( 3 meals a day plus snacks) sheltered and entertained for 3 days. All we had to do was walk 60 miles! It truly was an emotional and inspiring weekend walk. We met people from all over the country who were walking for their own reasons. They were walking for themselves or friends or family who have had or have passed away from breast cancer. Some were battling the disease right now. I walked with many breast cancer survivors who were walking by themselves, just because they had to. However, those 60 miles they walked they did not walk alone. They had 3,099 people walking with them sharing support along the way. As we walked all those miles and through so many neighborhoods, we had thousands of people lining the roads encouraging us on and wishing us well. So many signs, so many “thank you for walking” or ” thank you for doing this” was echoed over and over again. People screaming out their car windows “THANK YOU” and honking their car horns in appreciation. So many young men with their children, pulled over in parking lots, standing their clapping for us and saying “Good Job, thank you for doing this” with tears in their eyes. So much support, so much love, so much appreciation. You never truly understand how many people breast cancer touches until you see the faces of the family and friends, by the thousands, right before you. So many faces in just one small segment of the world called Philadelphia. All we did was walk 60 miles, with blisters and creaky knees as our reward. That was the easy part. What our fellow walkers and supporters have gone through or may be going through is the toughest part. We all had the determined spirit to finish the walk. We all have the determined spirit to fight the breast cancer fight until it becomes a thing of the past. One day it will be echoed, just as Small Pox, TB, the Plague and so many other diseases “Remember when breast cancer effected so many people?” “So glad we don’t have to deal with it now!”

Keep supporting the cause. Walk the walks through out the country or be one of those people that stops just to say ”THANK YOU.” Someone once said “it takes a village” and yes, together we can fight the fight and make this life altering disease a thing of the past. YES WE CAN!!!