November 14th Operating Room Nurse Day

Doctors are given all the credit for health care however, it is up to the nurse to make sure the doctor has not made a mistake. Obviously an operating room nurse is very, very important. The day was created by Governor Terry Branstad in 1989, then governor of Iowa. I have known a lot of really great nurses, some from the operating room, others that serve the recovery time and those that assist doctors. A nurse is also the connection from the individual to the doctor since nurses generally deal daily with the patient. This does not mean the doctor doesn’t care, they may deal with dozens of people where the nurse normally deals with the individual. So let’s recognize the nurse, we can praise the doctor, but the nurse is the backbone of the health industry.

How to celebrate – Thank any nurse you happen to know. Study to become a nurse. Read about the history of the nurse.

November 13th World Kindness Day

So much of the world is under siege by war, dictators and poverty that it would be nice to take a break and find a little time for kindness to each other. I think people generally want to be nice to each other, they want to help where they can and be positive forces for good. The problem comes from those few people that find chaos to work for them better than peace. It comes from the World Kindness Movement in 1996-97 and the day was developed into the Declaration of Kindness on November 13th, 1997. It is nice to proclaim a day like this, however making it work practically may be an entirely different matter. If we all practiced what we preached, the world would be a much different place. However, with that in mind, find some way today to go out of your way to be kind.

How to celebrate – Find different causes you can support. Perform an act of kindness. Embrace the World Kindness Movement.

November 12th Young Reader’s Day

Just like with vegetables, as we get older we tend to appreciate things a little more. Books fall into that category as well. As a child we have so many things to do, most of which are useless, that we don’t get around to the things that are important. Reading is very important, it can take us places we might not ever get a chance to go, learn things that everyday life does not teach us and be entertained at the same time. The idea is to get kids to read so that by the time they grow up, they have a better foundation to make a better life for themselves. The day was created by Pizza Hut and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. A book is a treasure, just like those treasure buried by pirates, and often worth much more!

How to celebrate – Read a book with your child. Take your child to a library. Read a book yourself.

November 11th Veteran’s Day

World War 1 ended on November 11th, at 11:11 in 1918. Three years later the US, UK, and France decided we needed to remember both the end of the war and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and Armistice Day was founded. Among those who were remembered were all the unknown soldiers buried in Europe. So in 1921 a day was set aside to remember them, along with the living heroes, to honor their memory. In 1954 President Eisenhower changed Armistice Day in the US to Veteran’s Day since the Armistice was more of a European thing. It is a day we should remember the fallen, but also remember the living veterans among us. These men and women have gone through things hopefully the rest of us will never know.

How to celebrate – Visit the Unknown Soldier Tomb in Washington, D.C.. Thank any soldier you come across for their service. Be proud that usually, freedom wins out over evil.

November 10th USMC Day

Today we celebrate the birth of the Marine Corp on November 10th, 1775. Back then they were called the Continental Marines, their main duty – keep the enemy from boarding the and capturing the small Continental Navy ships. Over the years, Congress has tried desperately to get rid of the Marines, until they realized that they were the reason we were winning wars. Their numbers have always been kept low and their training among the best in the world. They are generally the first to land during any conflict, and the last to defend even when all hope is gone. We owe a lot to the Marine Corp. The few, the proud, the Marines. Semper Fi.

How to celebrate – Thank any Marine you see for their service. Study the conflicts the Marines have been involved in. Visit the National Marine Museum in Virginia.

November 9th Chaos Never Dies Day

Ever notice how when you put out one fire another one seems to start? It seems like when we are not dealing with chaos we are creating it. We create it in the roads we build, the ideas we try to garner support for, and in the relationships we live with. It seems to me that a lot of people are happier when they are surrounded by chaos. It gives them fires to put out, even when they might be better to let burn out themselves instead. Sometimes, even the answer to chaos is chaos. Sort of like the old saying, fight fire with fire. Maybe the answer to beating chaos is to not care. If you don’t care about anything then nothing can be chaotic.

How to celebrate – Look for all the chaos in your life. Learn how not to create your own chaos. Accept chaos as a norm, then it’s not chaos anymore.

November 8th Cook Something Bold Day

If the rest of the neighborhood can smell what you are cooking you have accomplished your goal today. That doesn’t mean it has to be something good, it helps, but the idea is to fill the world with that aroma! You know you have reached your goal when someone comes to your door and asks, “What are you cooking?”. Cabbage works, so does shrimp, anything you can think of that is stinky works really well! To me, while I realize a lot of people love it, the smell of something being cooked heavily with garlic, tops the list. I like garlic, but boy does it stink! Today works really well if you cook outdoors. It gives you a good start on letting the neighbors know you are cooking and you mean business! Today is owned by Wellcat.com.

How to celebrate – Cook something bold. Cook something that stinks. Try some hot peppers in your cereal!