Independence Day History

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is at once the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty and Jefferson's most enduring monument. Here, in exalted and unforgettable phrases, Jefferson expressed the convictions in the minds and hearts of the American people. The political philosophy of the Declaration was not new; its ideals of individual liberty had already been expressed by John Locke and the Continental philosophers. What Jefferson did was to summarize this philosophy in "self-evident truths" and set forth a list of grievances against the King in order to justify before the world the breaking of ties between the colonies and the mother country.  To read the transcript of the Declaration of Independence click here

I don't know who wrote this but I found it very interesting the sacrifices these men made.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well-educated,
but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if
they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by
the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost
constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions
were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and
Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson,Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson
home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was
destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free! We thank these early patriots, as well as those patriots now fighting to KEEP our freedom!

Old Friendships Never Die

Stretching myself to be social is proving to be more beneficial than I thought it would be.  Part of it is resting in between social times while the other part is choosing safe social events.  I've had a busy week thus far.  Every social engagement has been good, even fun, and I wouldn't change any of them.

Perhaps the one I was most surprised by was my friend Saundra's volleyball match.  She plays every Tuesday night.  This was the second one I was able to attend.  My friend and Saundra's best friend, Jennifer, was going to be there.  I was excited to see them both yet apprehensive about who else was going to be there.

To ease my stress and anxiety, I was able to lay down for 45 minutes and rest my body and my mind.  I knew if I did this I had a better chance of being able to manage any uncomfortable feelings that would surface.  I was right.

I sent a text message letting Jen know I was on my way; she was, too.  I was able to park in a handicap spot because my walking was unstable and difficult.  It was nice to see them practicing.  I met both of their families and a friend.  I had nothing to worry about.

Jen found a class picture of our 4th grade class.  She asked me if I knew some names of kids she and Saundra couldn't remember.  I knew all but two.  Now I remember one, Robbie Benson and the other was Russell something.  What great memories.

During the match, Jen and I talked a bit and then we bantered back and forth about who was paying more attention to the match.  It was so much fun to be kidding around with someone who knew it was all fun and games.

Reconnecting with these two women has brought great joy to my life.  When we split off during Jr. High and High School, I was saddened because I was sure they'd never be part of my life again.  It's weird to say this but Facebook brought us back together.

They reached out and I friended them not knowing why they'd want to be my friend after so many years going by.  I decided to take a risk and start commenting on some of their posts, to reach out to them and see what happened.  To my great joy, they decided to reach back, take a risk and ask to meet for tea.  That's one day that will live in my heart forever!  When we talked this past week about getting together for tea again, I felt in my heart to meet with them separately.

When I care about someone, giving them one on one time is very valuable to developing a friendship that can go deeper if so desired.  I want them to understand I see them as individual women with value all their own.  If they are willing, at some point, an intimate friendship can be born where God can be at work in our lives.

And who better to lead us and guide us than our Heavenly Father?

No one.

Part 3 of 3: Coping Tools - Spirit

When I was in one of the many hospitalizations, I was given a sheet of paper that had three blank columns with the headings of Mind, Body and Spirit.  The assignment was to identify coping tools I could "plug into my daily living to help me cope with life more effectively.

Given the background I have in twelve step groups, therapy and what I'd been learning in mental health facilities, I came up with coping tools that were realistic and relatively easy to do.

Here's what I wrote down for my "spirit".  These are not written down in any particular order.  Think of them as little pieces of paper in a hat where you reach in and pick one out.

• Pictures of God's creation
• Biblical teaching (online and DVD)
• Coloring sheets
• Water colors
• Read Psalms in the Old Testament
• Read AA's Big Book
• Read other books that were calming
• Create photo albums and post to Facebook
• Create picture videos of my family or cats
• When feeling rise up, embrace them instead of push them away
• Call someone in my support system
• Call my sponsor
• Spend some time in prayer
• If someone wants to give me a hug and they're safe, allow it
• Spend time with my family
• Spend time outside at the forest preserve at my "spot"
• Remember that God loves me and to trust Him
• No matter what, always do the next right thing
• It's safe to be outside so go ahead and watch a sunset
• When you wake up early and the weather isn't too cold, open your windows and listen to the birds singing.  Watching them flit about is also relaxing.
• Sit on your couch or your favorite chair with your body in a relaxed position.  Close your eyes and imagine you are some place you love to go or some place you'd love to travel to.
• Watch movies that make you laugh out loud or put that warm feeling in your soul.
• "It's okay to be healthier than those around me."

This is the first step in being able to recognize and learn when my spirit is feeling stress or exhaustion.  It has a way of telling me what it needs.  I need to pay attention to what it is saying.  The best way to manage it is to stay aware, try some of the above to see what works and to ask my therapist if she has any other ideas that I can try.  

Practicing the above keeps me in tune in the here and now.  I need to stay in the present so that my stress doesn't elevate and instead is able to decrease.  If I stay in the stress, I end up saying no to things that God may have wanted to give me.  

And who wants to do that? 

Part 2 of 3: Coping Tools - Body

When I was in one of the many hospitalizations, I was given a sheet of paper that had three blank columns with the headings of Mind, Body and Spirit.  The assignment was to identify coping tools I could "plug into my daily living to help me cope with life more effectively.

Given the background I have in twelve step groups, therapy and what I'd been learning in mental health facilities, I came up with coping tools that were realistic and relatively easy to do.

Here's what I wrote down for my "body".  These are not written down in any particular order.  Think of them as little pieces of paper in a hat where you reach in and pick one out.

• Walking
• Body Relaxation
• Snapping a rubberband on my wrist
• Using a punching bag
• Punching my pillow
• Taking my medication as prescribed
• Using a pill organizer and filling it as needed
• Splashing cold water on my face
• Change my surroundings
• Slow down my breathing
• Listen to relaxing music
• Watch a creation video
• Seek out hugs
• Take anxiety medication
• Get out of bed
• Eat when hungry; stop when full
• Don't skip meals
• Get plenty of sleep
• Do stretches
• Go outside for fresh air
• Wrap self in blankets to feel safe
• "I have a right to say no to anything that will hurt me or be unsafe."

This is the first step in being able to recognize and learn when my body is feeling stress or exhaustion.  It has a way of telling me what it needs.  I need to pay attention to what it is saying.  The best way to manage it is to stay aware, try some of the above to see what works and to ask my therapist if she has any other ideas that I can try.  

Practicing the above keeps me in tune in the here and now.  I need to stay in the present so that my body doesn't stay stuck and instead is able to move forward out of the stress.  If I stay in the stress, I end up saying no to things that God may have wanted to give me.  

And who wants to do that? 

Part 1 of 3: Coping Tools - Mind

When I was in one of the many hospitalizations, I was given a sheet of paper that had three blank columns with the headings of Mind, Body and Spirit.  The assignment was to identify coping tools I could "plug into my daily living to help me cope with life more effectively.

Given the background I have in twelve step groups, therapy and what I'd been learning in mental health facilities, I came up with coping tools that were realistic and relatively easy to do.

Here's what I wrote down for my "mind".  These are not written down in any particular order.  Think of them as little pieces of paper in a hat where you reach in and pick one out.

• Writing
• Starting a blog
• Write down three (3) positive thoughts
• Allow myself to cry

• Recognize negative thoughts
• Recognize distorted thoughts
• Recognize irrational thoughts
• Recognize destructive thoughts

• Use coloring sheets or books
• Tell myself, "I am doing better."
• Call one of the people who support me
• Call Lake County's Crisis Care Number

• Recognize if I feel overwhelmed
• Recognize if I'm alone too much
• Recognize if I feel hopeless
• Is my medication changing?  Do I need to call my psychiatrist?

• Recognize my fears and write them down
• Am I feeling "out of control?"
• Am I feeling panic or anxious?
• Am I feeling increased depression?

• Be real and authentic
• Tell the truth
• "I do not have to be fully healed to be fully worthwhile."

This is the first step in being able to recognize and learn when my mind is feeding me thoughts that are unhealthy to my progress.  The best way to manage it is to question it, bring those questions to my therapist and psychiatrist then put a plan together that will lead me to positive self-care.  

Practicing the above keeps me living in the here and now.  I need to stay in the present so that my mind doesn't get stuck in the past where a lot of bad things happened.  If I stay in the past, I miss out on what God wants to give me today.

And who wants to do that?  

Cat Story Sunday - Dusty, 4 y.o.

This is my cat named Dusty.  He's four years old.  Dusty is a thin kitty who reminds me of a raccoon.  His face is shaped like a raccoon's face, his eyes have big pupils, he's got some big ears and when he walks, his back is usually hunched up which makes his walking like (you guessed it!) a raccoon.

Dusty has always been lovable on his terms.  He goes through periods where he hides under the chair and doesn't come out except to eat and use the litter pan.  When he comes out he's all over me like a dryer sheet and can't get enough love.  He follows me everywhere including to the bathroom and to bed.  He especially likes to lay on my chest and be held so he can fall asleep.  There are times when he's a little drowsy and he looks at me with his tongue sticking out.  So cute.

Dusty has been demonstrating some weird behavior lately.  I first noticed it when I was kneeling down by their food and he jumped up onto my shoulders.  I thought it was another one of my cats so imagine my surprise when I saw it was him.  It was easy to tell him to get down and he did.

The next time was when I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth.  I was bent over at my stomach and he jumped from the floor onto my back.  Now this was silly because he could have jumped onto my very long counter but instead he decided my back was better.  Again, I turned around, asked him to get down and onto the counter - no problem, he jumped.

Another time I was standing at the front door and he jumped from the floor onto my shoulder.  Not only did it scare me but I had a t-shirt on and his nails hurt.  I grumbled his name at him and told him to get down.  He eyed the top of the bookcase so I walk toward it and he jumped on top of it.

These jumping incidents have been going on for quite sometime.  I've thought about buying football shoulder pads but instead I've been hoping he stops.  That's not happening which brings us to this morning.

I'm in the kitchen at the counter and he jumps onto my shoulder.  I'm about to have a fit when I look at him and he's looking up at the ceiling.  If you have a cat you know what I'm about to say.  Cats see things that we don't always see.  Whenever my cats look at something and stare at it, I look and stare at it, too.  It's usually a bug or a flying insect or something else I don't want in my house.  If they're not showing any signs of getting it, I get it.

However, almost directly above my head, was a little spider.  Dusty was balancing himself on his two back legs with his two front legs stretching up toward the ceiling trying to get the spider.  So, what do I do?  Exactly.  Every mom wants to see their children succeed so I stand on my tip toes, careful not to disturb Dusty's balance as I lift him closer and closer toward the spider so he can get it.  His paws reach the spider, swat it off the ceiling and it falls.

Dusty looks at me as if to say, "Did you see where it went?"  No, I was busy watching your balance.  Now we have a problem.  Dusty doesn't see the spider, I don't see the spider and by now his brothers have come over and they can't find the spider.  For all I know the spider is in my hair or on my clothes.

Dusty has now jumped off me, he and his brothers have moved onto another project and I stand there still wondering where the spider is.  I decided if I can't see it, it will turn up someday.  And if it's on the ceiling next time there will be a different plan.

I will take the cat off my shoulder and I will kill the spider myself.