February 2, 2002

I trust you are having a good year so far. I know there have been many ups and downs in our lives recently. However, I do hope there have been more ups than downs. With so many things going on in our lives -- the war on terrorism, homeland security issues, the economy, business issues, family issues as well as personal issues -- isn't amazing how we always put ourselves last! I would like for us all of pause now, take a deep breath, and check to see if we are taking care of ourselves. I hope the answer is, yes.
If it is not, please make it so.

Now on to what I am thinking about this week and next: Valentine's Day. Let  us make this Valentine's Day the day we begin to give value to loving ourselves so that we can go forward and hopefully make volunteerism a part of our New Year's strategy. In doing so, we are letting love be the power that makes America a stronger, safer place to live. 

Here are just a few ways I think we can do this.

1)  Send a veteran a Valentine.

2)  Visit a veteran (February 9-16 is "Salute to Hospitalized Veterans 2002)
Please call your local VA, Compassion In Action chapter,  American Legion Post, VFW Post or veterans service organization to see how you can become more involved. We must all remember that today and through the rest of the year, we have men and women on the ground in harm's way. We have those veterans who have already done their time preserving, protecting and defending this country who are now hospitalized. They must know that we honor, remember, and appreciate that service.

3)  Deliver Meals on Wheels.

4)  Visit a nursing home.

5)  Donate your time on a crisis hotline

6)  Volunteer as a mentor with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and other "Intervention and Prevention" programs in your community.

7)  Become an active participant in your child's school classroom

The President of the United States in his State of the Union message asked us all to become a part of volunteerism in this great nation. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the President, his administration, and the Congress for showing us the importance of being caring human beings in this time of great stress and upheaval. I would ask everyone, in your own way, to pray for the continued wisdom and courage of the leaders of this great nation. Most especially, I ask your prayers for the President and his wife.  We now have a chance to do what we do best... Volunteer!!  Let's join the President in supporting Faith Based and Community Based Program's!!

Happy Valentine's Day to each of you, and God Bless America, and this sacred planet.

With purpose,

Dannion Brinkley