Saturday's Songs for the Soul: American Pie, Don McLean & George M Cohan

4th of July NYC 2014

Thought for the Day:  I have been trying to take it easy this summer & am reposting a 4th of July post from 2013 today. If you missed it last year, I hope you enjoy my selections and have a great weekend! I just added another video that I found on YouTube of Kate Smith introducing what almost became the National Anthem. We took this photo last night from a roof top in Brooklyn (Dumbo section). Happy 4th of July!

*Photo credits

Thought for the Day: Songs can capture the mood of a nation. When they do, they become classic hits. My 1st choice for today is a video which also tells the stories behind one such song. "Bye Bye Miss American Pie,"written  & performed by Don Mc Lean, captured the emotions of the troubling events spanning the 50's and the 60's. This video shares some very interesting images & explanations of the meaning behind the song that is as American as apple pie.  It is also remarkable that the song somehow is uplifting despite the difficult subject it addresses. Read on to hear the songs I picked

#FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: Celebrating Independence & Honoring Veterans

*Photo Credits

Thought for the Day: Here are some touching stories for this week. It is important to remember those who have sacrificed for our independence.  My intern, Steph Jacovino, found some wonderful posts that remind us what Independence Day is all about. She also helped prepare the image for the post (let her know what you think!)  I am fortunate to have my team of interns helping with the blog! Have a wonderful weekend!

Sad But Touching Story Found Online By Amanda (Proud Military Wife) From Marine Family Network  1/6/13  This week, while some of us are celebrating Independence Day with bonfires & barbeques, other families are wishing for their soldier to return home safely. Whether in life, or in death, our soldiers deserve to be remembered, especially on this holiday. This is for all of our fallen soldiers. We thank you for your sacrifice, so we can continue to celebrate our freedom.

Facebook Reunites Deployed Soldier’s Son with Lost “Daddy Doll”
By the Huffington Post  6/28/13
What happens when an entire Facebook community comes together to help a young boy? Last week, over 26,000 people came together online to share a photo of a lost “Daddy doll,” a stuffed figure of a deployed soldier. The doll was later reunited with its owner, young Judah Gossett. His father is currently serving his fifth tour overseas in Afghanistan.



Disney’s Madison Pettis Surprised on Talk Show [video] By Welcome Home Blog  7/9/10

Young actress, Madison Pettis, has been acting since age five. Since then, she has starred in Disney Channel shows, movies, & commercials. But the fame isn’t the only thing this young star is dedicated to. The young actress supports Trees for Troops a service that gives Christmas trees to military families and soldiers abroad. Watch the biggest surprise this teen has had in many years!


Kids sing for America: The Ultimate National Anthem [video] By Stephanie Bousquet  From Hooplaha  6/28/13 This compilation displays some of the best talent from our nation, in children from all walks of life. Definitely a must-see for anyone feeling patriotic this weekend. Great job, kids!

Marine and K-9 that Saved his Life Reunited By Walt Buteau From WPRI Eyewitness News, 6/25/13
Lance Corporal Bradley O’Keefe was reunited with the dog that saved his life. O’Keefe & Earl, the military dog, were reunited over three years after the explosion that separated the two. Now, Earl is safe at home with O’Keefe & his sister, who initiated the reunion.


*Photo Credits:
Earl from www.NBCNews.com
Daddy Doll from www.HuffingtonPost.com
Madison Pettis from www.justjaredjr.com
Child singer from www.thestir.cafemom.com
American Airlines photo from www.underconsideration.com
Airplane from www.science.howstuffworks.com

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom: Are You Free? Khalil Gibron & Dr. Barbara Lavi on Independence

“Life without liberty is like a body without spirit.” - Khalil Gibran
"Dictators can imprison your body, but only you can imprison your spirit." - Dr. Barbara Lavi

Thought for the Day: The above quote by Khalil Gibran, who lived from 1883 to 1931, is thought provoking & still applicable today. Gibran was a Lebanese-American artist, writer, & the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare & Lao-Tzu. He is best known for his 1923 book, The Prophet, a book of inspirational fiction, philosophical essays & poems. The quote tells us that life without freedom becomes meaningless. Are you your own dictator? Is your spirit free?

Surely, without physical freedom & independence, you cannot live life to the fullest. In our great nation, we are able to speak out against tyranny & injustice without the fear of being judged or condemned. When dictators try to take away freedom, people's thoughts & desires are forced to remain unspoken. Without physical liberty people live in a shell of fear, but thoughts cannot be taken captive without our compliance. Great leaders like Nelson Mandela, who is in critical condition in a hospital in South Africa as I write this, & Elie Wiesel are examples of the power of the human spirit to remain free even when held in physical captivity. The recent Arab spring uprising & riots in Egypt today are also signs that freedom cannot be quelled forever. Even in a free democracy, each citizen is responsible to protect their independence by keeping an open mind & free spirit. The citizens of Egypt are struggling to find leadership which will truly embrace democracy.

*Photo Credit

As a therapist, I work with people who often feel trapped in their lives & fearful that they cannot change. They are captives of inner dictators who tell them they are too old, too weak, not smart enough, or don't have the means to change their lives. I never cease to be inspired by the power of my clients to free themselves from these inner voices & live independently. Tomorrow we celebrate Independence Day. In a nation which protects our freedom & gives us the right to "life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness," we each have the obligation to keep our minds & spirits free.

On the eve of Independence Day, I leave you with a few questions to ponder: What does freedom mean to you? Are you imprisoning your spirit by fearing that you cannot change or reach your dreams? What holds you back? Are you living your life without liberty by listening to inner dictators & endangering your spirit?

I hope this July 4th will be the beginning of greater freedom & independence for all wherever you are in your lives & wherever you may live!




*Photo Credits

Cover The Prophet

Gibran Quote
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkadog/3389058334/">Beverly & Pack</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>

Dr. Lavi Quote
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zooboing/5426098861/">Patrick Hoesly</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>

Throwback Tuesday: Thank Someone Who Helped You Become Independent

 

*Photo Credits

Thoughts for the Day: For today & Thursday, I'd like to share a few posts that I wrote a little over a year ago. They were written before & after a visit to my home state of Texas. As the posts reveal, I was pretty nostalgic. I even started a gratitude project for someone who helped me become who I am today.  Since this week is focused on independence & how we become independent, being from Texas played a big part in my development. For those of you who did not grow up in Texas, here's a quick history lesson. Texas was part of 6 different countries. It was even a country of it's own for a period of time. Although today is not a trivia post here's a bit of trivia many of you may not know. How did the Amusement Park Six Flags get it's name? Answer: It was started in Texas & the flags represent the six flags that flew over Texas. (In case you miss having a trivia post today: Who knows which countries Texas was part of?)

The series I'm throwing back today is called Deep In the Heart of Texas. There's Over the Rainbow Deep In the Heart of Texas. about an over the rainbow experience of a group of children; Part II: Over the Rainbow In the Winds of Texas, about my visit to a place that helped shape me;  Part III: Paying It Forward Deep In the Heart of Texas, about a chance encounter I had with a Veteran while I was in Texas; Part IV: Help Me Start A Gratitude Project Deep in the Heart of Texas,  tells the story of my visit my high school guidance counselor in Bellaire TX; & Part V: Deep In the Heart of Texas Gratitude Project Update, with the story of another person whose life & many other's lives were changed by my guidance counselor.

Who helped launch you into adulthood & independence?


*Photo Credits
Ranbow
http://www.flickr.com/photos/46210293@N08/6781549671/

Texas & US Flags
 http-/www.flickr.com/photos/qnr/2263808519/.pngTX http-/www.flickr.com/photos/qnr/2263808519/.png

Motivational Monday: A Modern Parenting Parable: Who Is Ready for Independence?

*Photo by Nicholas_T on FlicrCC

This is a repost with some minor changes from last year around this time:

Thought for the Day: Since Independence Day is later in 2 weeks, I decided to write about independence. I searched for stories & parables to help me with this task to no avail, I decided to write a short modern parable from a psychologist's point of view on independence. I hope  you will help choose the conclusion. So here's my first attempt at a parable:

The Johnstons had difficulty conceiving. Mary & Robert Johnston, like many couples these days. put their faith in modern medicine & artificial insemination despite the stress it put on their intimate life. After years of trying, they were thrilled & a bit anxious when they learned they were going to have triplets. Two healthy boys, John & Joe, & a girl, Jenny, arrived nine months later. Mary & Robert stepped up to the challenge of having an instant family of five. Once the triplets were in kindergarten, both parents found it necessary to work to support them.

However, the stress of parenting triplets sent them into therapy. Robert kept hearing about adult children returning home & staying dependent on their parents. He was worried about having to support his triplets forever. Mary felt obligated to give her children whatever they wanted. Given their differences of opinion, they wanted the therapist to help them plan for the triplets independence. With the therapist's help they devised a plan. They taught their children that they would have to fend for themselves when they reached adulthood. They reminded them frequently that when the time came, they would give them an independence challenge. They would be given a week to prove to their parents that they were capable of fending on their own. Read on to see how the challenge turned out...