A group of alumni, established in their careers, got together to visit their favorite university professor. After warm greetings, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and in their private lives. The professor saw one more opportunity to enlighten her students and she took it.

Do you remember the innocence of childhood? Once upon a time, when someone asked us to try something new, we responded, “Sure!” The invitation was irresistible. Adventure called. Curiosity arose. Enthusiasm surfaced. There was no fear and no concept of risk.

Wherever our attention lands becomes our reality of the moment. Positive thoughts lift our shoulders and the corners of our mouths. When sad thoughts dominate, our posture droops with our mood. Even childhood memories and imagined scenarios create responses in our bodies – sometimes joy, pleasure, confusion, fear, sadness, anger, or even apathy. My reaction to this is… really? It doesn’t seem to matter whether thoughts are truth or fantasy – dwelling on them affects us deeply.

This veterans’ day our thoughts go to individuals – either drafted or volunteer – who wore the uniform of our armed forces. They gave all or a portion of their lives in service to this nation and its allies. Whether our veterans survived their military service, or were lost on the field of battle, each of us owes a debt of gratitude to each of them and their families.