LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY

 

Today marks the first annual LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY, which calls everyone to support law enforcement officers nationwide.

This FBI Academy statement says:

Those citizens who appreciate law enforcement and are discouraged about the negative attention being given to law enforcement are encouraged to take time on Friday, Jan. 9, to show their support. In light of recent negativity directed toward law enforcement nationally, there is a need to show law enforcement officers that our citizens recognize the difficult and sometimes impossible career they have chosen, in public service to us all.

As a child, I was not taught to be afraid of the police, but to depend on their help if I was in trouble.  I can’t imagine a parent instructing any child to fear law enforcement.  When there’s something strange in my neighborhood, I don’t call ghostbusters…  I call 911.

The trouble with the laws these days is that criminals know their rights better than their wrongs.   – Author Unknown

LOL – if I did make that statement do you think I’d admit it???  Okay, where were we?  Ah yes, honoring the folks who serve and protect.

If you have ever worked in retail at all, you have some idea of what an officer sees every day – but let’s add about 20 more special weirdos a day to that number.  There’s nothing an officer does not see, and sadly – they usually get to see it more than once in their career.  I know some of the worries and concerns associated with the job – but I also know there are good days – because I know without a doubt no officer would be happy or fulfilled if they were doing any other job.  They choose law enforcement because they want to help people.  No one goes into it determined to bring harm to anyone – except those who have broken the law.  They really are here to serve and protect.

Here are just a few ways you can HONOR AND SHOW APPRECIATION FOR law enforcement officers today (and everyday, for that matter)

· See a police officer? Thank a police officer

· Wear blue clothing in support of law enforcement

· Send a card of support to your local police department or state agency

· Share a positive story about a positive law enforcement experience on social media

· Ask children in your community to write letters in support of law enforcement

· Participate in Project Blue Light and proudly display your blue light in support of law enforcement

· Organize an event or a rally in support of your law enforcement officers

· Advertise your support through local media outlets/billboards

These men and women have the toughest career one can choose.  The public is not always kind and officers do not get the respect they deserve.  Hey, I remember when they started calling officers cops, pigs and worse.  Today is a day to honor them, because let’s face it – if you need to call 911, they will be there for you!  They don’t stand around asking what color you are or if you are here in the United States legally.  Without prejudice of any kind, they just show up and it’s about time we let them know how glad we are that they do show up.  They put their lives on the line – they don’t know what they’re walking into – but they show up anyway.

This is my favorite video to date:

Yep – he’s got the right idea!  After you deal with the idiots – you just gotta SHAKE IT OFF!!!

LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY – I vote we make it every day!  Yeah!  🙂

Remember Bobby Sherman???  Yeah – at 67 years old (lookin’ good), he’s an officer!!!  Wow…  what’s not to appreciate?  🙂

 

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

A good-looking truck driver walked into the offices of Sun Records and the Memphis Recording Service on a Saturday night in the summer of 1953.  He paid $3.98 + tax to make an acetate record for his mother’s birthday.  Sam Phillips recorded Elvis singing “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin, ” and told his business partner Marion Kreisler something that made her write down “Good ballad singer.  Hold” in her notes.

Elvis would leave Sun for the big leagues of RCA Records by the end of 1955. But Phillips secured his place in musical history, and made a tidy profit even if it wasn’t $1 billion.

That was the beginning of an amazing singing career.  Elvis loved his mama and because he honored her, his life was blessed.

Elvis with his parents. Army induction. March 24, 1958

There are literally dozens of You Tube videos of Elvis songs and tributes.  I invite you to visit You Tube today and listen to “That’s Alright Mama”.  What if Elvis had not wanted to honor his mother and make that recording for her birthday?  How different would his life had been?

What does the Bible tell us about honoring our father and mother?  It’s FOR it!  Pro-honor and pro-love of the parents:

 Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.   – Deuteronomy 5:16

I think Elvis honored his mother in part because he felt bad about being the twin that survived.  His twin, Jesse Garon died at birth and Elvis often wondered why he was spared.  He never wanted to disappoint either of his parents, but particularly his mama.

The Bible instructs us to honor our parents.  It does not say obey.  We are to obey them when we are young, but when we are older we are to honor.  This is a wonderful example of honor:

To honor is to respect with patience and as much love as possible.  That is what makes our Lord smile and makes us good children.  ❤

 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY

https://youtu.be/MafmIhkmB2U

Today is one of my favorite days.  Here in the U.S., it is ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY!!!  I am a retired Administrative Professional, but hope all of those hard-working people out in corporate America have a wonderful day and get the appreciation they deserve!

When I began my career in 1980, the job was called “Secretary” and yes, Matilda, we did make coffee back in the day!  I did not mind making coffee for my boss – at all!  I did not see it as a lowly task, but I viewed it as a duty I performed out of respect for him.

There’s a reason my boss got the “big bucks”.  He was a bright, creative person with a gift for making a lot out of very little.  Have you ever known someone who could go into a room with a glob of clay and walk out with a masterpiece?  That is what my boss could do!  If I could make sure he got a decent cup of Joe in the morning, I was happy to help in that small way.

Basically, an admin assistant is crucial in a workplace because without them, the instances of missed meetings and miscommunications would rise drastically. I thought of myself as the traffic cop in the middle of the bumper cars! Waving my arms madly, directing this exec and that one, reminding them of things that had obviously washed over them.

Times have changed, but the role of the admin assistant remains pretty much the same. It’s important to be a positive person who can take corrective criticism. It’s really just an exec taking out his/her bad day on you. They have to feel comfortable enough to say anything and you have to be secure enough in yourself to take it. Just keep smiling and listen. Don’t get sucked into the drama. They are entitled to an opinion, but don’t express yours. Just keep listening.

Listen and state facts. Stay neutral on everything and always support your boss.   🙂