IN GRATITUDE TO OUR VETERANS
By Judith Parker Harris | November 11, 2009
On this Veterans Day, I’m still on the BlockBuster path of Purpose. Today, we remember those who gave their lives protecting our country and express our gratitude for those who serve. I know they serve with purpose. I ask you to join me in a moment of reflection and prayer. My husband is a veteran of World War II. I am so proud of him and his big, wonderful life. I can tell you, he is a man of purpose – always has been, always will be.
Several years ago, when writing my first book, I interviewed veteran, Mark Learner. He served in Viet Nam, only to return home and be faced with the blindness and numbness of Multiple Sclerosis. He explained to me that he has found a way to get past the ego-based reality of most human beings by going beyond thoughts to a place he calls the zero point, something he learned in battle. He values life – not thought.
Mark then led me through a positive/negative self-image exercise to help me experience the zero point. He asked me to think of the worst thing that ever happened to me and to capture the experience in a word. I thought PANIC. Mark had me imagine the physical sensations of panic and give the self that felt that way a name – I chose “Ditzel.” Next, Mark led me to do the opposite. I concentrated on the best thing that had happened to me and feelings related to that. I thought of EUPHORIA, imagined feeling a blissful peace, and named the self with those feelings “Darling.” He then had me put my fingers on the pulse in my neck and repeat, “I am Darling,” three times. According to Mark, by doing that nightly before going to sleep, while concentrating on images of myself when I felt “darling,” my positive responses would become automatic and would be connected to my purpose.
Going beyond thought to a purpose that is AUTOMATIC is the zero point. Mark explained, “During intense combat, soldiers are forced beyond thoughts. Nobody thinks ‘What am I having for dinner tonight?’ They are just alert, with clear awareness, fighting for their lives and our country.”
Now, I have a gift for you on Veteran’s Day. My dear friend, Sheryl Roush has written a wonderful book called HEART OF A MILITARY WOMAN. Below is an excerpt for you to enjoy and a link to get the book and save.
SAVE $2.00/book 11/11-11/30/2009:
www.facebook.com/l/b02f3;www.sparklepresentations.com/store_books.asp
EXCERPT FROM BOOK:
She is a tough and formidable opponent… Yet her heart will soften and swell with pride as she looks at Old Glory or the men and women and children she serves and protects… Her heart aches for home and her loved ones, especially when she is far away… She is amazing in her ability to adapt, overcome adversity, do whatever it takes and still dance the night away if given a pair of heels, a dress and music. She laughs deeper, loves harder and her heart knows no bounds. That is the heart of a military woman.
- Debra Ann Ristau, USARNG Photo-journalist, California Army National Guard, Mother of a U.S. Marine Daughter
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