Think about the worst day you’ve ever had, and try to remember how you felt. No doubt it was extremely difficult to keep a positive attitude as you faced whatever it was you were going through. Now imagine suddenly being in a situation that leaves you without any arms or legs, and ask yourself what kind of outlook you would have if faced with that. Chances are, it would be infinitely worse than the attitude you had on your worst day, except that it would be magnified by the realization that this…

Turn on the television and take a look at the religious strife in the Middle East, and it’s very easy to conclude that Christians, Jews and Muslims will never be able to peacefully co-exist. Many believe this inability stems from fundamental differences that can never be reconciled; however, there are a few enlightened souls who believe it may simply be from a lack of understanding of the basic principles and beliefs that form the foundation of each religion, and the lack of willingness to want…

It is doubtful that anyone who has battled cancer and undergone weeks of chemotherapy would describe the experience as one that leaves you feeling upbeat and ready to tell a good joke. The mental and physical stresses on a person can be overwhelming, and for most people it takes every ounce of strength just to accomplish the basics like getting out of bed and eating. So when you hear the story of someone like Beth Kaufman, a New Jersey mother and attorney diagnosed with Stage 3B breast cancer who…

There are many ways to thank those who make personal sacrifices and put their lives on the line so the rest of us can enjoy liberty and freedom. For the deployed soldier who must endure difficult living conditions, long periods away from home, and threats from hostile enemies, even a small thing like a letter or package from someone who expresses appreciation for what they are doing can mean a great deal. That’s what makes Operation Gratitude so important for the morale of American service men…

Like so many of us, Carolyn Blashek was deeply moved by the tragedy of September 11thand was determined to do something. What makes Carolyn so special is that she actually tried to enlist in the military, an act considered quite brave on its own merits but even greater in Carolyn’s case since it meant leaving behind a son and daughter not even in high school. Although at 46 she was above the age limit set for active duty, Carolyn was not deterred, and instead volunteered at the Los Angeles airport…

  Artful Vision thanks everyone who entered the “Thanks Mom” tribute contest. There were four winners – the grand prize goes to Debra Cox; the three honorable mentions go to Juliana Palmcook,  Evelyn Markasky, and Linda Landowski. Their entries are listed below. Grand Prize Winner Debra Cox I found out just how special my mother was early on in my life. She had five children in the 1950’s when times were tough. My dad held a job in the steel mill and my mom worked full time in the grocery…

Ask a writer what it takes to be successful and you’ll probably get as many different answers as the number of people you ask. Most will probably tell you that perseverance, believing in yourself, being true to the written word, and writing about what inspires you are four fundamental traits a person must possess in order to become an accomplished writer. For author Pamela Bauer Mueller, all these were certainly true. Pamela’s writing career began when she wrote a trilogy of stories centered…

Everyone has been feeling the pinch in this difficult economy, including the Lloyd A. Stage Nature Center, a 100-acre sanctuary located along the north Branch of the Rouge River in Troy, Michigan. When budget cuts forced the City of Troy Michigan to cut funding for maintenance of the trails and main building in May 2011, one of the local citizens decided that this nature preserve was too important to lose, and so John Ragan turned what should have been a quiet retirement into a quest to raise money…

Mom will always hold a special place in your heart So, when it comes to expressing love and gratitude on Mother’s Day, many of us turn to a traditional gift or dinner, which is nice, but not at all unique. How about doing something extra this year, that captures the special relationship we have with the woman who gave so much of herself for us – something like a written tribute! You don’t need to be an experienced or accomplished writer, just someone with a fond memory or unexpressed feelings…

When it comes to attitudes towards animals there are two kinds of people, but not the animal lover vs. non-animal lover response you’re probably thinking. What it really comes down to are those who believe in treating animals humanely, and those people who think of them as a nuisance that must be “dealt with.” Unfortunately, this latter group of individuals often view those who try to help animals as a nuisance as well, making it difficult or even impossible for these kind souls to help an…