We will always be grateful for those who have served or fallen on our behalf and in our stead.
We are thankful for the sacrifices made, with lives, limbs and sanity, made by the soldiers and their families.

Being aware of the troubles and suffering in this world becomes a barrier to finding peace and happiness for many people, and it can be particularly heightened on commemoration days.

Below the commemoration days I listed is the story of a Buddhist Monk’s response to being asked the above question.

I’ve listed these solemn days in the USA and in Canada, while other countries hold their commemoration days on different calendar days.

Today is Memorial Day in the USA, this is a solemn day of reflection and remembrance, recognizing the ultimate sacrifice of soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen.

November 11 is Veteran’s Day, to honor all military veterans, both living and deceased, who have served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces, whether in wartime or peace. Its origins trace back to Armistice Day, which commemorated the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. (Wikipedia)

• Purpose: Memorial Day honors the dead, while Veterans Day honors all who served.
• Date: Memorial Day is the last Monday in May; Veterans Day is November 11.
• Focus: Memorial Day emphasizes remembrance and mourning, whereas Veterans Day emphasizes gratitude and recognition for service.
• Traditions: Memorial Day often involves visiting cemeteries and observing moments of silence; Veterans Day includes parades, ceremonies, and thanking living veterans (Wikipedia)

Every year the Government of Canada marks Veterans’ Week from November 5 to 11. The week includes Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8 and Remembrance Day on November 11. 

Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day, is observed in former British Empire countries and current Commonwealth member states to honor armed forces members who have died in the line of duty. It is traditionally held on 11 November, commemorating the end of World War I hostilities at the “11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” in 1918. The day evolved from Armistice Day, with ceremonies including laying wreaths, wearing poppies, and observing moments of silence. (Wikipedia)

• Wearing poppies as a symbol of remembrance.
• Laying wreaths at war memorials.
• Observing moments of silence to honor the fallen.
• Ceremonial events involving military personnel, government officials, and the public.

The day serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by military personnel and civilians during wars and peacekeeping operations, fostering national reflection and respect for those who lost their lives.

How can I be happy when there is so much wrong in the world? Some wisdom copied from “Buddha’s Teaching” Facebook page

𝖠 𝗐𝗈𝗇𝖽𝖾𝗋𝖿𝗎𝗅 𝖺𝗇𝗌𝗐𝖾𝗋 𝖻𝗒 𝖺 𝖻𝗎𝖽𝖽𝗁𝗂𝗌𝗍 𝗆𝗈𝗇𝗄:

A man once asked an old Buddhist monk:

“How can I allow myself to feel peace or happiness when the world is filled with suffering, injustice, pain, and chaos?”

The monk looked at him silently and asked:

“If your home was dark…
would you refuse to light a candle
simply because the whole world is not yet bright?”

The man became quiet.

The monk continued:

“Yes, the suffering of the world is real.
But if you destroy your own peace completely,
you only add another exhausted and hopeless soul to the world.”

The man asked,
“But isn’t happiness selfish while others are suffering?”

The monk smiled gently.

“A drowning person cannot save another drowning person.
And a mind consumed by despair cannot create healing.”

Then the monk pointed toward a still pond nearby.

“When water is disturbed,
it cannot reflect clearly.
But when it becomes calm,
everything becomes visible.”

He looked back at the man and said:

“The same is true for the mind.
A restless mind reacts with fear, anger, anxiety, and hopelessness.
A peaceful mind responds with wisdom, compassion, clarity, and love.”

The man lowered his eyes and whispered,
“But the world still feels unbearably heavy.”

The monk nodded softly.

“Yes.
And that is exactly why your peace matters even more.”

Then he added:

“Do not carry the suffering of the entire world inside one fragile heart.

Instead…

Be kind where you are.
Help where you can.
Speak gently.
Reduce suffering around you, even in small ways.

A single candle cannot remove all darkness from the world…
but it still changes every room it enters.”

The monk smiled one final time and said:

“Protect your inner peace.
The world needs more calm hearts creating light,
not more broken minds lost in darkness.” ✨🌿

#wisdom #buddhateachings #lifelessons #motivation

Some wisdom copied from “Buddha’s Teaching” Facebook page

Here’s more about creating a peaceful mind:

• A mind at peace, a mind centered and not focused on harming others, is stronger than any physical force in the universe.
• Bringing Peace Of Mind into our lives…
• Enjoy the freedom of being yourself, accepting that being seen a fool is just a part of it!
• Feeling bad memories slip away
• Purge by fire… could this help you?
• Telling it like it is… is it brutal honesty or just being an a******? (Or is it about instigating drama and then stepping back to watch the show?)
• There’s a fine line between positivity and denial
• What the “Positivity” process doesn’t like to talk about
• When we create harmony in our minds and hearts, we will find it in our lives. The inner creates the outer. Always.

 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blessings!
Thank you for liking, sharing this post and for following me!
Tamara

I hope you’ll poke around my Archived Posts Main page divided up into 3 sub-pages: Mental Health and Rewiring the Brain || Healing and Developing Ourselves || Positive thoughts and Affirmations to find a wonderful trove of supportive and encouraging posts!
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