Tomorrow, June 14th, is Flag Day. I was going to write a little about the history of the flag and Flag Day. However, I found a TREMENDOUS website that covers just about everything you could want to know about the flag of the United States of America. What is not there probably has a link to a site where there is more information. I found this while at work and had to make myself get off the site and get back to my day job.
I encourage you to read the history of the flag and the History of Flag Day. Navigate around and read some of the essays, poems, and speeches. I strongly recommend the essay by J. Ollie Edmunds. Here is the link: Click_here.
When I see the Stars and Stripes fly, it still gives me a chill. I know that may sound corny to some or overly dramatic to others, but it is truly the way I feel. I proudly fly the flag outside my home. I love my country and love the flag that represents it. When I see a flag flying, I see in my mind the picture taken at Iwo Jima. I see the firemen at the wreckage of the World Trade Center buildings.
I feel the pride of a military family that has served our country. My mom’s uncle’s remains have never been found after his plane went down in North Africa in World War II. I have an uncle that was wounded in Vietnam. Both my parents were Marines. When my dad had to accept a medical discharge, he looked to join the CIA. This was at the beginning of the Vietnam War and when the military was beginning to be scorned and looked down upon.
I feel the pain of those who have lost love ones, both throughout history and in the current war against Islamo-Fascism being fought today in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the world. I haven’t known anyone personally that has lost their life in the current conflict but I have friends that have lost loved ones. While I regret the loss of every life I also remember that the lost souls are approximately the number that died on the beaches of Normandy, June 6, 1944, D-Day.
What inspires me are the stories I have read or been told of how the Stars and Stripes inspired so many of these willing to give their lives in service to this country.
I honestly feel the pride swell when I see one of the giant flags that often fly along an interstate highway. When the wind is blowing and Old Glory is ruffling, I tend to think, wow, I love this country. Yes, I put my hand on my heart when the flag goes by or I remove my cap. It is an honor and a privilege to salute the symbol of the United States of America.
If any one reads this blog, I encourage you to fly a flag on June 14th, Flag Day. And you might as well fly it again on Sunday, June 15th, as Father’s Day is another day the flag should be flown.
Keep Smilin’!!
© Eddy Seegers 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Life Lesson: Push Through
Monday through Friday, I awaken at 4:30 a.m. so I can be sure I get a work out for the day before heading to my day job. My primary exercise is a walking, jogging, running trip around the neighborhood. I go for about 45 minutes and I have gotten to a point where I look forward to the exercise and time spent to improve my health.
Today was 'one of those days', however. My first sign was that I pushed the doze button on my alarm clock and had to rely on my backup alarm to get me going on time. Now, I have had to use the backup alarm before but something about this morning was different. As I started to put my workout clothes on and tie my shoes, the thought kept going through my mind, “Go back to bed. It won’t hurt you to miss one day.” I pressed on even though other parts of my body seemed to join the chorus with the brain about taking the day off.
As I went out the door, my mind decided that the first attack wasn’t working, so it hit me from another direction.
“Instead of including the jogging and running, just take a walk.”
Normally, on the weekends, since I allow myself to sleep in, I usually just power walk but go for a longer distance. My mind was screaming, “just take a short version of the weekend walk.” As I reached the first corner at the end of my block, I was starting to agree. Okay, just a walk today.
As I rounded the corner, to leave my subdivision, my body decided to put its opinion into the mix. My legs and arms felt stiff. They didn’t really loosen up like they normally do by this point. Instead of a power walk, let’s just make it a nice stroll. The temperature outside of Houston this morning was a little lower that it has been, in the lower 70’s. It was a very pleasant morning. "Go on big guy, let’s just take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the cooler morning." It was about this time that I hit the point where I normally begin to jog a little.
Personal note – I have done athletic activities since I was a small boy. I have had all manner of injuries and ailments from minor to major. One of the things that I pride myself about my athletic background is that I have learned to listen and understand what my body is telling me. I know when it is just sore and wanting a break and when it is not good for me to continue. A good example is from probably the worst injury that I have suffered, a dislocated knee while playing baseball. All the ligaments, cartilage were damaged. For the most part, the bottom of my leg was not really still in connection with the top part of my leg. I knew it was bad when my sister the nurse gasped when she first saw it at the emergency room.
Anyway, I was going to the doctor on a frequent basis, following every instruction to ensure that I healed quickly and correctly. It came a time when I was on a doctor’s visit when he told me that I could probably start to wean myself from the crutches in about two weeks. I picked up the crutches, walked across the exam room, and told the doctor that I already had gotten off them. I just used them for his benefit when I came in that day.
I tell that story for this reason; I knew when I first tried to put weight on my leg back then, I realized it was too soon. So I backed off. But I tried it again, every so often, and finally there was something different when I put the weight on my knee. Yes, it still hurt but that was going to happen. I knew that it was time to start putting more pressure on it. Slowly but surely, the leg got better. I knew what my body was telling me.
This morning I knew my body was just trying to get off easy. I hit the spot where I begin to jog, something clicked telling me that I needed to jog until I got to the run portion of the workout.
You know what?
My body responded. I pushed through all of the negative thoughts I was having. I pushed through all the soreness and stiffness that seemed to hit me for some reason. By the time I got to the last portion of the workout, my body was ready to go. So much so, that I had to make myself back off a little to keep from over doing it. (I am still not in top form, so I have to be careful. I am 47 not 27.)
The life lesson that I followed today is that sometimes you have to push through. I used my morning workout as the example but it is so much more important in the rest of your life. We all have times when things are not going the way that we want. We feel like, “What’s the use?” Nothing is working out.
Or even on a lesser scale, we get to a point where we are like my body; life has us a little sore and stiff. So what if we just coast through the day, our job, the project we are working on, or maybe even things in our personal life. You know, the old story, my co-workers know I appreciate what they do, I don’t need to say anything. She knows I love her; I don’t need to tell her.
The problem with this is the same reason I was determined to have a good workout this morning, if I let myself slack off this one time, it becomes easier the next. If we coast through one day on the job and nothing bad happens, why not try it more often. Soon it becomes a habit. A bad habit. Hopefully, you can see all of the ramifications that would, could, and do occur in your personal life.
Learn to recognize the times when you need to push through and then push through. My workout was great because I pushed through. Just think about the things we can accomplish if we push through in the rest of our lives.
Keep Smilin’!!
© Eddy Seegers 2008
I honestly believe that part of what helped me recover so quickly from my knee injury were some of the greatest natural supplements on the market. They have helped me to live a healthier and more dynamic life than I would have had, if I had not discovered these products. Check them out by clicking on the link. I truly believe they improved my quality of life and that they can do the same for you. Click_here for details.
I have some wonderful programs that I would love to share with your company, social club, or civic organization. These programs are meant to inspire, motivate, and help you become the best possible you that you can become. If you want to know more or would like to book me to speak, please email me at this address, lifelessonsbyeddy@yahoo.com.
Today was 'one of those days', however. My first sign was that I pushed the doze button on my alarm clock and had to rely on my backup alarm to get me going on time. Now, I have had to use the backup alarm before but something about this morning was different. As I started to put my workout clothes on and tie my shoes, the thought kept going through my mind, “Go back to bed. It won’t hurt you to miss one day.” I pressed on even though other parts of my body seemed to join the chorus with the brain about taking the day off.
As I went out the door, my mind decided that the first attack wasn’t working, so it hit me from another direction.
“Instead of including the jogging and running, just take a walk.”
Normally, on the weekends, since I allow myself to sleep in, I usually just power walk but go for a longer distance. My mind was screaming, “just take a short version of the weekend walk.” As I reached the first corner at the end of my block, I was starting to agree. Okay, just a walk today.
As I rounded the corner, to leave my subdivision, my body decided to put its opinion into the mix. My legs and arms felt stiff. They didn’t really loosen up like they normally do by this point. Instead of a power walk, let’s just make it a nice stroll. The temperature outside of Houston this morning was a little lower that it has been, in the lower 70’s. It was a very pleasant morning. "Go on big guy, let’s just take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the cooler morning." It was about this time that I hit the point where I normally begin to jog a little.
Personal note – I have done athletic activities since I was a small boy. I have had all manner of injuries and ailments from minor to major. One of the things that I pride myself about my athletic background is that I have learned to listen and understand what my body is telling me. I know when it is just sore and wanting a break and when it is not good for me to continue. A good example is from probably the worst injury that I have suffered, a dislocated knee while playing baseball. All the ligaments, cartilage were damaged. For the most part, the bottom of my leg was not really still in connection with the top part of my leg. I knew it was bad when my sister the nurse gasped when she first saw it at the emergency room.
Anyway, I was going to the doctor on a frequent basis, following every instruction to ensure that I healed quickly and correctly. It came a time when I was on a doctor’s visit when he told me that I could probably start to wean myself from the crutches in about two weeks. I picked up the crutches, walked across the exam room, and told the doctor that I already had gotten off them. I just used them for his benefit when I came in that day.
I tell that story for this reason; I knew when I first tried to put weight on my leg back then, I realized it was too soon. So I backed off. But I tried it again, every so often, and finally there was something different when I put the weight on my knee. Yes, it still hurt but that was going to happen. I knew that it was time to start putting more pressure on it. Slowly but surely, the leg got better. I knew what my body was telling me.
This morning I knew my body was just trying to get off easy. I hit the spot where I begin to jog, something clicked telling me that I needed to jog until I got to the run portion of the workout.
You know what?
My body responded. I pushed through all of the negative thoughts I was having. I pushed through all the soreness and stiffness that seemed to hit me for some reason. By the time I got to the last portion of the workout, my body was ready to go. So much so, that I had to make myself back off a little to keep from over doing it. (I am still not in top form, so I have to be careful. I am 47 not 27.)
The life lesson that I followed today is that sometimes you have to push through. I used my morning workout as the example but it is so much more important in the rest of your life. We all have times when things are not going the way that we want. We feel like, “What’s the use?” Nothing is working out.
Or even on a lesser scale, we get to a point where we are like my body; life has us a little sore and stiff. So what if we just coast through the day, our job, the project we are working on, or maybe even things in our personal life. You know, the old story, my co-workers know I appreciate what they do, I don’t need to say anything. She knows I love her; I don’t need to tell her.
The problem with this is the same reason I was determined to have a good workout this morning, if I let myself slack off this one time, it becomes easier the next. If we coast through one day on the job and nothing bad happens, why not try it more often. Soon it becomes a habit. A bad habit. Hopefully, you can see all of the ramifications that would, could, and do occur in your personal life.
Learn to recognize the times when you need to push through and then push through. My workout was great because I pushed through. Just think about the things we can accomplish if we push through in the rest of our lives.
Keep Smilin’!!
© Eddy Seegers 2008
I honestly believe that part of what helped me recover so quickly from my knee injury were some of the greatest natural supplements on the market. They have helped me to live a healthier and more dynamic life than I would have had, if I had not discovered these products. Check them out by clicking on the link. I truly believe they improved my quality of life and that they can do the same for you. Click_here for details.
I have some wonderful programs that I would love to share with your company, social club, or civic organization. These programs are meant to inspire, motivate, and help you become the best possible you that you can become. If you want to know more or would like to book me to speak, please email me at this address, lifelessonsbyeddy@yahoo.com.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Life Lesson: Enemies and Friends
This is a Life Lesson that is hard to learn and even harder to put into action.
Allow your enemies to be your teachers and beware of your friends.
No matter who you are and how you live your life, there are going to be people that don’t like you, those who you do not get along, and maybe some folks that you cannot find a way to like them. As I was thinking about this topic, one former co-worker just kept coming to mind. From the moment I met him, he took a disliking to me. Why? I don’t know. Like I said, it showed from the very first moment we met. I like to think that I can get along with anyone but this guy just did not want to be in the same area code as me. We were able to co-exist for a time. Then, even though he had seniority, I was promoted to a supervisory position where he had to report directly to me. There were several occasions where I thought he was going to get physical when our discussions did not go as he wanted.
Unfortunately, it was not until several years later that I realized how much of an asset he was to me. Yes, he was insubordinate, disagreeable, and I thought he often would deliberately make mistakes to cause problems. But because of this generally disagreeable co-worker, I was a much better worker and supervisor.
I knew that every function that I asked him to perform would be challenged. I had to be prepared to defend decisions. I had to make sure all policies and procedures were followed to the letter. I had to quickly learn how to inspire someone who did not want to be inspired. I also had to learn how to stand up for my mistakes because every little thing I did was being scrutinized and even the smallest error was highlighted.
He also provided one other benefit, and that was that he was brutally honest with me. He did not agree with me because I was the boss. He did not give me compliments to make me feel good. He did not give me answers that he thought I wanted to hear, and in fact, always tried to find a way to take an opposing view. If he did ever agree with my point of view, I was fairly confident that the other point of view had to be glaringly wrong.
That brings me to the lesson of beware of your friends.
I guess the best way to get my point across here is by asking a question. How is a friend actually a friend if they will only say nice things to keep from hurting your feelings?
This is a flaw that I had and still have to fight. If someone asks my opinion or what I think about their point of view, I reflexively want to give the answer that will make them have good feelings. I see this many times when a friend has a disagreement with someone else. I listen to the details of the argument. There have been times where I felt my friend had been a total jerk, without even hearing the other side of the story, but I still told my friend he or she was right/justified/or whatever. I gave them what they wanted to hear.
I know that I have had friends do the same thing towards me. I often ask people’s opinions about my writings, speeches, projects, and so on. 95% of the time, I just get courteous affirmations.
It is the other 5% that I truly desire. While I do not want to be ripped, “you can’t write,” or “you’re a terrible speaker,” I do want an honest and thoughtful response. If my writing is boring or too wordy (I know I can be that) or simple-minded, I want to know. Give me an example. I know I can go monotone if I get lost in thought while I am speaking. Tell me, because next time, I will have that on my mind and will be more likely to not allow myself to mentally wander as much.
So take this lesson with you. Don’t discount the thoughts and opinions of your enemies. Often, they are going to be more dead on that we want to admit. Don’t let your friends’ and family’s opinion carry too much weight unless you know they are well-thought and truly honest. Finally, be the friend that your friends can trust to give an honest opinion.
Keep Smilin’!!
© 2008 Eddy Seegers
Is your business, service or community group looking for a speaker for an upcoming meeting or event. My programs are uplifting and motivational. The titles of a couple of the program are “Caught in a Monkey Trap” and “Life Lessons Learned Playing Little League.” I can tailor either of these to your organization or design a presentation for your unique situation. Email me at lifelessonsbyeddy@yahoo.com for more information.
If you listen to the news media you are constantly bombarded with scary reports directly affecting our health. Super bug infections, bird flu, flu pandemics, and even the threat of bio-terrorism such as anthrax. Almost every report that I have read said that the first and best line of defense against of these is a strong immune system. My research has shown me that there is a family of products out there that can give your immune system the support it needs. Transfer Factor® and the Transfer Factor® family of products. If you don’t like capsules or pills, check out Rio Vida®, a wonderful tasting berry drink. There is also Transfer Factor Chewable. Visit and bookmark the web page. Read The Transfer Factor Story. Click_here for details.
Allow your enemies to be your teachers and beware of your friends.
No matter who you are and how you live your life, there are going to be people that don’t like you, those who you do not get along, and maybe some folks that you cannot find a way to like them. As I was thinking about this topic, one former co-worker just kept coming to mind. From the moment I met him, he took a disliking to me. Why? I don’t know. Like I said, it showed from the very first moment we met. I like to think that I can get along with anyone but this guy just did not want to be in the same area code as me. We were able to co-exist for a time. Then, even though he had seniority, I was promoted to a supervisory position where he had to report directly to me. There were several occasions where I thought he was going to get physical when our discussions did not go as he wanted.
Unfortunately, it was not until several years later that I realized how much of an asset he was to me. Yes, he was insubordinate, disagreeable, and I thought he often would deliberately make mistakes to cause problems. But because of this generally disagreeable co-worker, I was a much better worker and supervisor.
I knew that every function that I asked him to perform would be challenged. I had to be prepared to defend decisions. I had to make sure all policies and procedures were followed to the letter. I had to quickly learn how to inspire someone who did not want to be inspired. I also had to learn how to stand up for my mistakes because every little thing I did was being scrutinized and even the smallest error was highlighted.
He also provided one other benefit, and that was that he was brutally honest with me. He did not agree with me because I was the boss. He did not give me compliments to make me feel good. He did not give me answers that he thought I wanted to hear, and in fact, always tried to find a way to take an opposing view. If he did ever agree with my point of view, I was fairly confident that the other point of view had to be glaringly wrong.
That brings me to the lesson of beware of your friends.
I guess the best way to get my point across here is by asking a question. How is a friend actually a friend if they will only say nice things to keep from hurting your feelings?
This is a flaw that I had and still have to fight. If someone asks my opinion or what I think about their point of view, I reflexively want to give the answer that will make them have good feelings. I see this many times when a friend has a disagreement with someone else. I listen to the details of the argument. There have been times where I felt my friend had been a total jerk, without even hearing the other side of the story, but I still told my friend he or she was right/justified/or whatever. I gave them what they wanted to hear.
I know that I have had friends do the same thing towards me. I often ask people’s opinions about my writings, speeches, projects, and so on. 95% of the time, I just get courteous affirmations.
It is the other 5% that I truly desire. While I do not want to be ripped, “you can’t write,” or “you’re a terrible speaker,” I do want an honest and thoughtful response. If my writing is boring or too wordy (I know I can be that) or simple-minded, I want to know. Give me an example. I know I can go monotone if I get lost in thought while I am speaking. Tell me, because next time, I will have that on my mind and will be more likely to not allow myself to mentally wander as much.
So take this lesson with you. Don’t discount the thoughts and opinions of your enemies. Often, they are going to be more dead on that we want to admit. Don’t let your friends’ and family’s opinion carry too much weight unless you know they are well-thought and truly honest. Finally, be the friend that your friends can trust to give an honest opinion.
Keep Smilin’!!
© 2008 Eddy Seegers
Is your business, service or community group looking for a speaker for an upcoming meeting or event. My programs are uplifting and motivational. The titles of a couple of the program are “Caught in a Monkey Trap” and “Life Lessons Learned Playing Little League.” I can tailor either of these to your organization or design a presentation for your unique situation. Email me at lifelessonsbyeddy@yahoo.com for more information.
If you listen to the news media you are constantly bombarded with scary reports directly affecting our health. Super bug infections, bird flu, flu pandemics, and even the threat of bio-terrorism such as anthrax. Almost every report that I have read said that the first and best line of defense against of these is a strong immune system. My research has shown me that there is a family of products out there that can give your immune system the support it needs. Transfer Factor® and the Transfer Factor® family of products. If you don’t like capsules or pills, check out Rio Vida®, a wonderful tasting berry drink. There is also Transfer Factor Chewable. Visit and bookmark the web page. Read The Transfer Factor Story. Click_here for details.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Getting back on track with some Random Ramblings!
If you package the same old worn out, did not work the first time, liberal to socialistic ideas in a new package and call it ‘change we can believe in’, is it really change?
Michelle and Barack Obama seem to be fairly chummy with Louis Farrakhan. This scares me as much as their association with Rev. Wright.
I agree with many of the bloggers I read on a regular basis, I am going to miss having Hillary in the campaign.
Does anyone else feel like this election is going to be about selecting the ‘lesser of evils”, so to speak?
Why, if 31,000 scientists sign a statement saying the Al Gore version of man-made global warming is bull-squeeze, did this not make the lead of every major newscast and the front page of every newspaper still being published?
And if these scientists are making statements like this, why is the Lieberman-Warner bill still up for debate in Congress? And why are the likes of Senator Barbara Boxer still advocating the economy killing bill? This bill has been called the biggest reorganization of the American economy since the 1930’s.
Off of politics now. It has been a while so I had to vent a little there.
Why are people satisfied with mediocrity? I here so many people saying that they hope things get better but they are not willing to do anything themselves to make things better. This is meant for all areas of life.
I have been hearing quite a bit lately about ‘the Millennials’ lately, the group of kids, now beginning to get to the workplace, who were brought up with NO SCORE sports, ‘Participation Awards’, parents suing teachers if junior earned a bad grade on his report card, and just all around being coddled. Now, they are getting a dose of the real world and they are not ready for it. Gee, ya think?!?
Come to think of it, based on the Millennials format, I should be getting my Pulitzer Participation Award any time now. Just for writing this lil ol’ blog that nobody reads. Woo Hoo! Another trophy for on top of the filing cabinet to go with my bowling trophies. Which, by the way, I had to EARN by being on a CHAMPIONSHIP team. We didn’t win this past season, so no trophy. As it should be.
I am going to dust off the filing cabinet, just in case I my Participation Award is on its way.
Keep Smilin’.
© 2008 Eddy Seegers
Do you need a speaker for a company meeting or seminar? Send me an email to this address: Click_here
Are you interested in making money while helping others and yourself live a healthier life, check out my site at this link. Health_and_Wealth
Michelle and Barack Obama seem to be fairly chummy with Louis Farrakhan. This scares me as much as their association with Rev. Wright.
I agree with many of the bloggers I read on a regular basis, I am going to miss having Hillary in the campaign.
Does anyone else feel like this election is going to be about selecting the ‘lesser of evils”, so to speak?
Why, if 31,000 scientists sign a statement saying the Al Gore version of man-made global warming is bull-squeeze, did this not make the lead of every major newscast and the front page of every newspaper still being published?
And if these scientists are making statements like this, why is the Lieberman-Warner bill still up for debate in Congress? And why are the likes of Senator Barbara Boxer still advocating the economy killing bill? This bill has been called the biggest reorganization of the American economy since the 1930’s.
Off of politics now. It has been a while so I had to vent a little there.
Why are people satisfied with mediocrity? I here so many people saying that they hope things get better but they are not willing to do anything themselves to make things better. This is meant for all areas of life.
I have been hearing quite a bit lately about ‘the Millennials’ lately, the group of kids, now beginning to get to the workplace, who were brought up with NO SCORE sports, ‘Participation Awards’, parents suing teachers if junior earned a bad grade on his report card, and just all around being coddled. Now, they are getting a dose of the real world and they are not ready for it. Gee, ya think?!?
Come to think of it, based on the Millennials format, I should be getting my Pulitzer Participation Award any time now. Just for writing this lil ol’ blog that nobody reads. Woo Hoo! Another trophy for on top of the filing cabinet to go with my bowling trophies. Which, by the way, I had to EARN by being on a CHAMPIONSHIP team. We didn’t win this past season, so no trophy. As it should be.
I am going to dust off the filing cabinet, just in case I my Participation Award is on its way.
Keep Smilin’.
© 2008 Eddy Seegers
Do you need a speaker for a company meeting or seminar? Send me an email to this address: Click_here
Are you interested in making money while helping others and yourself live a healthier life, check out my site at this link. Health_and_Wealth
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