” If you are joyful, it will shine in your eyes and in your look, in your conversation and in your countenance.  You will not be able to hide it because joy overflows.

Joy must be one of the pivots of our life.  It is the token of a generous personality. Sometimes it is also a mantle that clothes a life of sacrifice and self-giving.  A person who has this gift often reaches high summits.  He or she is like a sun in a community.” ~ Mother Teresa

How’s your joy barometer these days?

My friend Michelle Moran, is pretty much everything that I’m not.

Graceful, soft spoken…

one of those people that could pull off being a runway model on twenty minutes notice because of the way that they always carry themselves…you get the idea!

She also happens to be a very talented jewelry designer…

and an almost-from-day-one avid supporter of TommyMom.

She made this beautiful necklace last year, and I simply “had to have it!”

I can’t tell you how many people stop me and ask me where I got it.

I believe that most Americans are really exceptional people.

And that they define patriotism.

“Patriotism means to stand by the country.  It does not mean to stand by the President.” ~ T. Roosevelt

I think that we’ve fallen into a trap of  taking freedom for granted…

and not thinking that it always costs us something.

We’ve become a nation of polarized people…

with a chasm between “both sides of the aisle.”

Whatever that “aisle” means.

The next time you’re tempted to blurt something out…

without really thinking…

how about asking yourself if it is honestly in the best interest of our country?

I’m not talking about taking stands for what is right…

I’m talking about honestly seeing the person next to you as an American…

that more than likely loves this country as much as you do…

and making an effort to not polarize them as a human being.

We the people…

make or break our country.

Michelle has generously donated this necklace to TommyMom as a giveaway!

All you have to do is read the articles in the two links below…

and leave your comments.

Each and every comment…

from any and all posts this next week…

counts towards an entry to win this beautiful sterling and hammered copper necklace.

It doesn’t get any easier than this!

You have until next Wednesday to get it done!

I read this article over the long weekend…

as well as this one.

The first had really interesting, thought provoking information and statistics; as well as interesting points of view.

The second is one opinion…

but is undeniably in favor of Leadership Education principles being practiced.

Actually, they both are.

The need for; as well as the practice of, Leadership Education principles is all around you.

You just need to look and continue your own journey and pursuit…

through personal study and application.

I’m anxious to hear your comments after you’ve taken time to read the articles as well!

They’re not lengthy…

but give great opportunity for thought.

And I want to hear yours!

Happy Reading!