#FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: Blind Judo, Higher Ground, Girl Scouts Rock & Ways to reduce Stress

Thought for the Day: I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to the beginning of March. I have been battling a cold and bronchitis for a month. Since I rarely get sick, it has been challenging. The weather here in New England has not helped, so I am hoping that March will bring better weather for us all. Today's post is a bit of an oleo and I did not have much time to organize it, but the finds are interesting. Hope you enjoy them & have a great weekend!

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: Bad Moon Rising & a Belated Thank You to a Veteran

Thought for the Day: I found this while looking for songs that pay tribute to Veterans as part of this week's series (Motivational Monday, Wednesday's Words of Wisdom, Thursday's Food for Thought). Many of the songs I found pay tribute to fallen veterans. The one I chose included a story about a Vietnam Veteran & I decided to share it with the powerful video. Here's the story that made me pick this video:

"This one is especially for the Vietnam Vet who I met at the Mohegan Sun Casino on motorcycles earlier in the year. The one who's hand I shook and said thank you for your service and found out from him I was the first one ever to say thank you. For all Vietnam Vets Thank you for your service and Welcome Home. With Respect Ed Madejek"

I personally hate war & if I could, as a psychologist, find a way to prevent all wars I would. However, the soldiers who enlist to protect our nation deserve or thanks and support, especially when they return. No veteran should have to wait so long to feel appreciated.

The Creedence Clearwater Revival song, Bad Moon Rising, from 1969, was written by John Fogerty.

You can still take advantage of the sale of the Wake Up and Dream Challenge supporting Higher Ground's recreational rehab program for veterans.

Thursday's Food for Thought: Clay Hunt: A Veteran's Life & Death

Thought for the Day: This week I have been writing about Veterans & how we honor & care for them. The statistics on veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, depression, & alcoholism are staggering. The numbers of attempted suicides & deaths due to suicide are also discouraging. Are we doing enough to help veterans on their return from duty? This CBS 60 Minutes clip is the story of one veteran, Clay Hunt. We must do everything in our power to prevent these losses. Two programs described in the video attempt, like Higher Ground to rehabilitate veterans. Even with participation in a program where vets volunteer using their military skills to help following natural disasters & a biking program, Clay did not conquer his inner demons. As a nation, we must be creative & persistent to make sure that adequate mental health & rehabilitations programs are available to our veterans. If you know of a program, feel free to share it here. (Click to donate 1/2 of the profits from The Wake Up And Dream Challenge to Higher Ground.)