Fly a Flag Today, Too
Today is Sunday, September 13, 2009. A relatively meaningless day in the overall scheme of the history of the United States of America. Fly an American flag today. I fly an American flag outside of my home every single day of every single year. My father taught me this, by his example, of flying the red, white and blue outside of our home when I was a child; he continues to fly it to this day. Now that I have my own home, I proudly follow in his footsteps and proudly fly “Old Glory” as a sign of my patriotism. True patriotism isn’t simply about specific days of heroism, victory, defeat or tragedy. Patriotism is about supporting our troops, our freedom defenders, our public servants, our rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Fly a flag today, and every day, with pride, honor and glory.
I mean no disrespect to “flag days” – Independence Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day or 9/11. I simply want to call to mind the importance of this flag of ours. I (we) can fly it because of the sacrifice of others who have gone before us. Be proud to be an American and if you don’t/can’t/haven’t served in the military or as a public servant, find a way to support those who do/can/have. Here are a few ways I do:
- I work in forming the Catholic men and women of the United States Air Force Academy in their faith, as people of faith & character and inspire them to live virtuous lives. Without strong, Catholic leaders in the military, our military strength would not be what it is today.
- I proudly volunteer as a Patriot Guard Rider (www.patriotguard.org). Everyone and anyone can join this great organization. It’s free and you don’t have to be a veteran or a motorcycle rider to join. You just have to want to support our troops and their families.
- I actively participate in the community’s events that honor and support out troops and public servants. (Just yesterday, my family participated in a local fire department’s open house.)
- I personally thank each and every soldier, policeman, firefighter and EMT for what they do. It’s very easy and can remind that person why they do what they do. Try it.
- I proudly send care packages and letters/notes/messages to soldiers who are fighting the war on terror.
- I proudly support and pray for the spouses and families of soldiers who are fighting the war on terror.
- I honor those who have gone before us by flying the flag that they gave their life to defend.
Man up!
The Past is the Past, Live for Today
There’s a young couple that I know that inspired this post. They know who they are. The idea came up the other day when speaking to them, that although her past was rocky and riddled with struggle, pain and sin, that he is strong enough, as a man, to move beyond what happened in her past. He is being a TrueMan. She is striving for holiness and he sees that. He encourages her, builds her up, helps her to know that she is great and a wonderful daughter of God the Father. He is encouraged and challenged by her lifestyle, and that makes him better. He realizes that her mistakes of the past are overcome by Christ’s sacrifice. Although the emotional baggage can be difficult to work through, he knows it is well worth the fight. His response could be much different.
Instead of being so loving, understanding and positive, he could choose to react harshly. He could choose to end the relationship. He could choose to be mean, hurtful and condescending. If this was the method he took, he would be forgetting his own brokenness. He would be forgetting the fact that he, as well as she and everyone else, needs the power of Confession and forgiveness from Christ.
I challenge all of my readers to take some time to think about your perspective of today. Is today’s behavior based on mistakes from the past? Are you unable to move forward because of pain from past choices? Do you try to live today in order to right the wrongs from the past? Is the past guiding your today too strongly?
Do you forget about today because of the promise of tomorrow? Do you have an unhealthy assurance that you’ll be alive tomorrow? Do your daily actions, choices, words and thoughts warrant Heaven as a reward of a good and faithful servant? These questions, and so many more, are important. Our attitude is a vital part to our lifestyle.
If we see the past as “fixable”, or today as a waste, or tomorrow as the only thing to live for, then we are missing the boat. We’re called to holiness in every moment of today. This moment may be our last, so we must live it to the full. The past is the past, live for today.
Man up!
Control Your Emotions
I’ve realized, lately, that I often tell my oldest daughter, who is now a new two year old, to control her emotions. Some might think that it’s over the top and too advanced for a child her age, I disagree. I’m trying to convey to her, in a time of an emotional up-and-down, that she has the ability and the power to control her actions in regards to her emotional status. Sometimes she immediately changes her behavior, other times she doesn’t. The realization that I’ve had is that most adults can’t do this simple task.
Emotions are highly overrated and, when used in decision making, volatile. I’m thinking back to several encounters (some of which I have posted about on this site) that I’ve had with adult men over the past several months. The regular and recurring theme between many of the encounters that have gone badly is that the man couldn’t control his emotions. He allowed his emotions (regardless of what they might be) to get the better of him. It’s a shame, really.
By allowing your emotions to be in control, you are saying that your brain isn’t strong enough or smart enough or formed enough (etc) to make a change. I know better than that. Your brain is capable of being in charge and putting your emotion in their right and ordered place. Try it next time… when you’re frustrated in traffic, relax, be a gentleman and keep on. When you get bad service at the restaurant, remain calm, let it roll away – you can still demand customer service, simply do it in the right way. When someone mistreats you, act out of charity… stand firm in the truth and remain vigilant for justice. When you disagree with your spouse, put her needs first, even when it means that you won’t get your way – be a servant-leader. No matter what the situation, you have the ability to control your emotions. I guarantee you, without a doubt, that you’ll like yourself much more and other people will like and respect you more.
Man up!
Scandalous Commercial – Bad Manning
Have you seen the new Peyton Manning, DirecTV – NFL Sunday Ticket Commercial? I saw it today. Blah. The commercial has Manning not “manning up” but instead, giving into the all-mighty-endorsement-deal-dollar – and NOT being anything even remotely close to a TrueMan. I used to have so much more respect for him. The commercial is supposed to be about watching football, and seeing every game on NFL Sunday Ticket, in HD. Yet, there isn’t a single scene of a football player, play, ball or locker room. The entire commercial is scenes of scantily clad cheerleaders strutting around, doing high kicks and bouncing up and down.
Manning has the opportunity to endorse lots of products, and some of his endorsements have been great. (Most of his commercial spots are hilarious.) What I don’t understand is why Manning, and society in general, thinks that it’s okay to objectify women by showing them in this manner? I fault the cheerleaders for objectifying themselves, but they’re only doing what appears to be glamorous by society’s standards. I want to call to action the men involved; if men step up, women will gladly follow suit. That means Peyton, the men at DirecTV, men watching that network and men reading this post.
Come on Peyton. Did you have to stoop to this level? Why didn’t you say, “There’s no football in this commercial.”? Why didn’t you say, “Nope, I won’t make sexual innuendos, they’re unnecessary. People will lose respect for me.” You didn’t. Next time, man up.
How does this affect the rest of us? How do we make a change? By starting in the home, then branching out to schools, work and in the public arena, men who hold women to a higher level of respect must first stand up to this sort of societal objectification of women. Be strong, stand firm. Your example will challenge others and will change hearts. Once a man has truly cherished a woman, in a manner most fitting within God’s plan, he’ll realize the importance of his actions. Men, we can make the difference. Change starts with you. Do it today.
Man up!
AFA Football Video
I love my job. I have the distinct pleasure of serving the great young men and women of the Air Force Academy as the Catholic Campus Minister. This video shows a glimpse into the real importance of the Air Force Academy as an institution, not just the football tradition. Leadership, Integrity, Courage, Strength, Compassion, Force, Humility, Determination… all great characteristics of a TrueMan. Go Falcons!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-8z1LLVh3s]
Man up!
