Wednesday, December 26, 2007
In a modern era of plasma screen televisions and wireless computing, a deeper reflection upon our nations’ hard fought struggle for independence can be lost in a wake of fanfare, social obligations and the opportunity to enjoy a long overdue day of relaxation that inevitable alludes so many of us.
Personal freedom is without a doubt the defining characteristic of this great nation. Freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms, freedom to worship when and how we please. In an time when so many national and international issues appear on the surface to divide the people of this country, there is at the end of the day the realization that it is the strength of our foundation, built upon the freedom of the individual, that will forever unites us.
Two hundred and thirty one years ago, the founding fathers, sons and daughters of this nation adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring sovereignty from Great Britain and set fourth a new model of liberty for the world to contemplate. Kindling the sparks of freedom, the men and women of this burgeoning democracy stoked the embers of independence into a roaring blaze, igniting the bonfire of revolution and securing our right to self-rule and self-determine for generations to come.
Two hundred and thirty one years later, men, women and children from across this planet are still fighting and dying in great numbers to rid themselves of oppression and forge a free nation of their own. A nation where they can raise their children in safety. A nation where they can vote on their leadership. A nation where the voice of the individual can be heard.
If you have freedom on this 4th of July, you must never forget what is required to maintain it or the sacrifices that were made by those who struggled before you to obtain it. And if you have not freedom, you must know what is required of you to gain it and that others before you have prevailed over insurmountable odds to achieve it.
On this 4th of July, between the fireworks and the frivolity, I hope you have a moment to reflect upon these, The Principles of Freedom.
Freedom requires nothing less than:
The COURAGE to confront fear, danger, intimidation and even death without hesitation. To discard the very notion of failure and draw upon every ounce of your strength to do what must be done. Courage separates the worthy from the unwilling. Without courage, freedom is but a dream.
The PASSION to pursue liberty from oppression, casting off the binding shackles of tyranny and branding upon your soul the insatiable desire live as free men and women. Without passion, freedom has not the wings to fly.
The LEADERSHIP to ignite the bonfires of revolution and prevail over the challenges ahead, inspiring heroism through action, strength through command and unity through vision. Competent leadership is a prerequisite for self-rule. For the ship with no captain, it matters not what direction the wind blows.
The DETERMINATION to keep charging forward despite setback, maintain order in the face of opposition, sustain enthusiasm when there is discouragement and to never surrender in defeat. The hero will prevail despite failure. The road to success was not paved by the weak.
A COMMITMENT of truth to your purpose, devotion to your cause, allegiance to your leadership and loyalty to your brethren. To pursue independence with uncompromising conviction and fervent resolve. Freedom’s foundation is sacrifice. God will not have his work done by cowards.
The DISCIPLINE to stay true to the course, to hold firm on the line, retain rigor, rank and order and to prepare for victory! Discipline of the one is essential, that a greater purpose may be achieved by the many. You must know your position.
A sense of DUTY to your god, to your country and to your compatriots. Honor, fortitude, character and integrity, these are the hallmarks of free men and women and the standards of distinction. So take up your shield and return home with honors behind it, or upon it.
The FAITH to believe that you will finish what you have started, that your dreams are worth every ounce of your effort and that you will live free no matter what the cost. You must fight for the right of self-determination.
Freedom is never free.
The Principles of Freedom were reprinted with permission from The Corpus Illuminata. www.corpusilluminata.com
Mark Sampson is a Son of the American Revolution and a writer. He lives with his wife and 2 year-old daughter in Los Angeles California. This and other works of inspiration including The Principles of Success, The Principles of Leadership and The Way of Christ can be found at: www.corpusilluminata.com
Personal Security – Help! My Wallet Was Just Stolen
Copyright (c) 2007 Priscilla Parham
You are out enjoying your day, then go to reach for your wallet to make a purchase and realize it's just been stolen. After you make absolutely sure it has not been misplaced, what do you do?
Losing the money is not as hard and frustrating as losing your debit, credit, or social security cards not to mention your driver's license, checkbook, membership cards and/or workplace id's. Here's what you do:
File a police report: First retrace your steps and recall as many details as you can about the event in your mind. Next, call the non-emergency number of the police department in the vicinity of your stolen wallet and ask for guidance. Unless you have been physically hurt as well it is best not to call 911, better still visit the local area police department and tell them you would like to file a police report. When finished remember to ask for a copy, this will be very important when trying to replace all your other items. Having a report number will also allow you to drive without your license for a time. If you are out of the country, contact the U.S. Embassy.
Replacing credit cards: Don't wait take care of this as soon as possible. Make sure whoever lifted your wallet has not decided to go on a shopping spree at your expense. Calling the card companies will shut down your current cards, keep you from being liable for new purchases made and allow the credit card company to issue you a new card. The following are the phone numbers to the top 3 credit card issuers should you need to report a stolen card: American Express (800) 992-3404, MasterCard (800) 622-7747 or (800) 627-8372, Visa (800) 847-2911.
Replacing debit cards and checkbooks: Call your bank immediately, ask for lost and prevention. Emergency numbers should be located on your monthly statements as well as online at the bank's website. It is advisable to take your police report and a picture ID or birth certificate, if you need to go to the bank to close, stop payments or open another account.
Replacing your driver's license: In most states all you need to do is take two forms of ID (preferably your social security card and a birth certificate) to your local DMV office to apply for a duplicate license. In some cases you will need your police report, to pass an eye test, take a new photo and pay a fee. For state-by-state requirements just go to www.dmv.org then click on your state you may even be able to apply for a duplicate online.
Replacing your social security card: Contact the nearest social security office to apply for a replacement card free of charge. However, it will be your responsibility to monitor your credit reports to make sure you don't fall victim to identity theft. Check your social security records by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visit www.ssa.gov/ssnumber for more information. The best preventative measure is not to carry your social security card in your wallet unless you are applying for a job.
Replacing membership cards: If you lost a Sam's Club or Costco card or maybe a gym membership or Blockbuster card, etc. in most cases taking your police report and explaining your situation will get you a new card free of charge or for a nominal fee, provided your membership had not already expired.
No one can predict or be responsible for the actions of another. Prevention and personal preparedness can go a long way to making a tedious, heart-breaking experience go as smoothly as possible. At www.ou.edu/oupd/lostwallet.pdf you will find a great Lost/Stolen Wallet Inventory and Emergency Checklist that you can print, fill out and keep in your home files.
Now shake off the negativity and get back to the joy of living your life as soon as you can.
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For more thought provoking, informative articles and audios by Priscilla Parham visit => http://freeiq.com/priscillaparham . Priscilla coaches on awareness and goal setting for your health, your business and your relationships, motivating others to rebuild from the inside-out.
Espresso Coffee Cups
Up until 1992 all espresso coffee cups could only purchased in either white or with a company logo upon them. It was then the decision of Illy Caffe that they would combine art with espresso and they commissioned Matteo Thun to help design their first espresso cup. The design is considered by the owner of Illy Caffe (Francesco Illy) to be the perfect cup even though its design is very simple. Now with many coffee connoisseurs around the world, these types of cups have become collector's items.
In fact for many when it comes to collecting espresso coffee cups it is almost akin to them collecting some forms of artwork. The cups designed today each have their own artist who will produce his/her own particular design and will contain some of their own personal style within them. Today there are many up and coming artists who have now designed cup collections as a way of getting themselves known and making their artwork available to the general public.
Today all companies that produce such cups will have a particular numbering system in place which allows them to limit the number that are produced. Plus you will also find that they limit the time in which these cups will be available before they remove them from the shelves and bring in a completely new design. You will find that with each of the Illy collector cups and their accompanying saucers has been signed and numbered on the base.
Plus inside the cup itself you will see it says "Illy Collection". However those cups and saucers which are used in restaurants and are therefore part of a bar set will only say "Illy Espresso" on them and will neither have a number of being signed. Other cups that are now being produced are those by FrancisFrancis! and Saeco. The FrancisFrancis! collections come with both a number and a signature on them just like the Illy collections, whilst the Saeco espresso coffee cups will only signed on the base.
Each set of cups when purchased comes in a display box and in some cases you may find that the manufacturers have also included coffee with them as well.
Today because espresso coffee cups have become extremely popular, getting hold of the older versions can be very difficult and also be very expensive. Certainly as soon as any series of cups is no longer available to be brought through a retail outlet then the only way to obtain this through buying them from another collector. One set of Trazzine espresso coffee cups which a person could have purchased in 1994 for $109 is now up for sale by a collector for $700. So certainly as you can see these cups are not just for drinking your espressos.
Ricky highly recommends using Saeco coffee Machines. Visit his website today for more reviews such as the Saeco Royal Professional Espresso Machine.
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