First, a quote: “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.” – Unknown, believed to be from an Irish tombstone.
Hello and happy Memorial Day weekend ,
Regardless of plans for this extended holiday weekend, I hope each of us finds a few quiet moments for personal reflection and heartfelt gratitude.
In our own unique ways, may we find time to pause and consider all that we have as a nation, all that we stand for as a country, and—most importantly—the price that has been paid by so many for the freedoms we enjoy; freedoms which are all too often taken for granted.
While our country has much work to do—progress to be made, wounds to heal, bridges to build—we also have much to be thankful for.
Memorial Day weekend is an ideal time for reflection, appreciation, and gratitude.
And now, a bit of a left-hand turn.
One of my mentors once said to me:
“The only thing standing between us and world peace is one single green Martian.”
His point? If the people of planet Earth faced a common threat, we would stop seeing each other as enemies and instead unite—as one human race, with shared hopes, fears, dreams, and aspirations.
The truth is, we already face a common enemy. That enemy isn’t from another planet—it lives all around us here on planet Earth.
That common enemy has many names including divisiveness, disrespect, hatred, and the absence of compassion and human decency.
That is why I have always appreciated the following adaptation of Reinhold Niebuhr’s serenity prayer:
Grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know… that person is me!
This Memorial Day weekend, like those before, I encourage each of us to do our part to make the world a little bit better—wherever we are, whomever we are with, using whatever skills and abilities we have at our disposal. I invite us to start today.
As we gather for picnics, parties, or a little rest, I hope we also set aside a few moments to honor the ultimate sacrifices made by countless heroes of past generations.
May we also remember those who continue to serve—whether in the military, law enforcement, fire departments, healthcare, or emergency response. I offer my personal thanks for their service—past, present, and future.
I wish each of you a safe and meaningful Memorial Day holiday!
How will you live, love, or lead—differently, or better—in the week ahead?
Please note I am on vacation from early to mid-June.
Bryan Yager
“Expanding Your Capacity for Success”
- Revised and updated. Originally published May 26, 2019
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Bonus Quotes:
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“Each of the patriots whom we remember on this day was first a beloved son or daughter, a brother or sister, or a spouse, friend, and neighbor.” — George H. W. Bush
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“In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
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“Freedom is the recognition that no single person, no single authority or government has a monopoly on the truth, but that every individual life is infinitely precious, that every one of us put on this world has been put there for a reason and has something to offer.” – Ronald Reagan
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“There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.” — Bill Clinton
