Friday, January 20, 2017

International Day of Acceptance

When I was looking through my 2017 Cat Blogging Calendar, it struck me as ironic that today is International Day of Acceptance. It is also Inauguration Day.

This year, many of us feel much different than on past Inauguration Days, (even when the President-elect was NOT the candidate of my choosing, I and many others that I know, didn't feel on Inauguration Day the way many of us are feeling now.) 



To help myself and those of you are might be feeling the same, I wanted to share what the International Day of Acceptance is and what it means,  and pray that our new President today, his Inauguration Day, stops and thinks about the importance of what he has gotten himself into, what it means, what he represents and I pray that he puts into practice what the International Day of Acceptance stands for. I also pray that he :

 1) Shows more compassion
 2) Stops tweeting
 3) Acts like an adult
4) Develops a thicker skin
5) Is pro-active about learning and understanding about those who are different than himself
6) and so much more that I will keep to myself
Photo from 3E Love's Wheelchair Heart on Facebook


International Day of Acceptance from Days of the Year:

"The (International) Day of Acceptance is a valuable social entrepreneurial awareness experiment with a heart-warming back-story."

"Annie Hopkins founded 3E Love to make the world a better place, also creating the International Symbol of Acceptance, which shows a wheelchair in the shape of a heart. Together, the occasion and the symbol communicate the 3E Love ethos of devotion, equality, respect and understanding, to be adopted and appreciated by people of all abilities."

"Disability owned and operated, 3E Love works to empower people through pride and passion, rather than charity. Taking control, following our dreams and being the best we can, regardless of physical factors, makes us what we are, and Annie’s goal to share this with as many people as possible has proved a source of inspiration all across the world."

  
"On January 20th 2009, Annie passed away due to unexpected complications during a simple medical procedure. Her memory lives on in the hearts of her friends and family, and it also lives on in the heart of the International Symbol of Acceptance. Annie’s brother, Stevie Hopkins, who helped her start 3E Love, paid tribute to his sister’s selfless efforts and vowed to keep them alive. On the first anniversary of Annie’s passing, Stevie and family founded an annual celebration of her life and work, inviting everyone to take part in a variety of ways, from drawing the symbol on your hand or cheek, to ordering buttons and T-shirts from the website, or simply changing your social media profile pictures to the logo for the day."





To quote 3E Love: “Friends, tell the world you embrace who you are; a person with social rights, who has an opinion, who has interests, who has goals and who loves life; a person who is empowered to make a difference in the world and not be without a voice in society. You are not living disabled, you are living.”



FROM CAT CAT WITH CAREN AND CODY: We pray the World will show more acceptance and compassion for those with any type of a disability, be it mental or physical, and for EVERYONE who is perceived to be "different", whether it be due to the religion they practice, the color of their skin, their gender, etc. May God Bless Everyone and "May God continue to bless the United States of America."

30 comments:

  1. This is a day my human will not celebrate because she utterly, absolutely and fiercely refuses to accept! #Resist

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  2. We hear you Caren,though many others won't feel the same as you.its a difficult time for you all,xx Rachel and Speedy

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  3. I wish acceptance would be as easy for humans as it is for many cats and dogs. Dang, wouldn't that make the world a better place?

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  4. Good post, Caren, and good quote too, from Martin Luther King Jr.

    The US and the world will limp along for the next four years, or eight, and will still keep limping along afterward too, long after you and I are gone. I admittedly don't have a lot of hope for the human species in general, but you never know, the younger generations could affect true and amazing changes in the decades to come. I'm just grateful I'm in my 50s, not 20 or 30-something, or younger still. But then, maybe a lot of people in every generation feel that way.

    Peace.

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  5. What a great quote - and now something we need to remember more than ever. And yes, that today is International Day of Acceptance is very ironic.

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    1. (((hugs))) THANK YOU for "getting" the purpose of this post....exactly.

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  6. This whole election has shown we need more than a day of acceptance but it's a good start. We also need a whole lot of respect, compassion and understanding. We're certainly purring for all that.

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    1. So true and I mentioned that above (wink)....and....this day was originally created to show "respect, compassion and understanding" for those with disabilities (physical and otherwise)....that is why I tied it in with Inauguration Day, because I found it to be rather ironic. We purr right along with you!

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  7. We're trying dear friend, we're trying - but it's tough. This has been a brutal election year. I loved your wise words of wisdom - just hope it's followed by everyone.

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  8. Acceptance is something that we all need to work on.

    The Florida Furkids

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  9. I love this post and the purpose of the day. Most people are quick to judge and don't even bother to understand. The irony of my life is that most of the things I judged, I later learned to understand personally. That's a powerful lesson. Nothing is gained by judging. NOTHING. One final note ... "What It's Like" by Everlast really touched my heart when it came out ... and I wish more people would stop to listen to the lyrics and really think about "what it's like."

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    1. Thanks so much. I think what you said is so important "most of the things I judged, I later learned to understand personally" life is like that. My biggest issue is that everyone be treated with respect. EVERYONE. I need to listen to that song you mentioned.

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  10. Sharla is spot on with her comment. I've not seen so much hate ever in an election. The hatred still seems to be the focus of many.

    Have a fabulous day. Big hug to you and lots of scritches to Cody. ♥♥♥

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    1. Sandee, if you read the entire post, this post is NOT "hate-filled" the MAIN purpose of this post is in support of HANDICAPPED diversity, be it physical, mental, etc. There is NO "hate" in this post. Just hope...and prayers.....and (((hugs)))) back to you xoxo

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  11. We need to hang that quote over here
    Lily & Edward

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  12. A powerful post, Cody and Caren! We have a great country, and we've made it through before, and we'll make it through now. Diversity rocks! Dogs and cats, living together!

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  13. Love this post and say Amen to the entire thing start to finish....We have hope, are saying prayers, and are thinking that diversity is what made this great land of ours in the FIRST place! ROCK ON.....

    Love, Angel Sammy and Mom Pam

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    1. Thank you so much sweet and cherished friends...yes, "diversity is what made this great land of ours in the FIRST place" Love always! xoxo

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  14. That's the perfect post for today indeed ! Great quote ! Purrs

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  15. Well, we think you are gawjus Cody. We're not feelin' any special way 'bout today. We feel dat da right purresident and vice purresident are bein' sworn in. We're glad dat they want to make America furst. It's very upsettin' dat all those peeps doin' all dat squawkin' about Trump supporters acceptin' da outcome ifin it hadn't gone his way; not acceptin' da outcome when it didn't go their way. Our country needs os much to heal from da division obama wrought. We purray fur more luv amongst us all. Sorry fur da rant. We luv ya'll bunches. Big hugs to all.

    Luv ya'

    Dezi and Raena

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  16. Acceptance of others is key! Purring and praying that everyone will learn to have more of it.

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  17. Thanks for this post, Miss Caren. We need some peace these days...and hope we can find it. And we hope the orange guy stops tweeting. ;)

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    1. you are most welcome and thank YOU!!! I agree. I am sorry but you crack me up when you call him "the orange guy" OMG!!! lmao! I have been watching all day and it is beautiful how the transfer of power functions.

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  18. Very glad you've reached acceptance. I hope more follow suit. Everything is going to be just fine. It's a beautiful day in America.

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  19. I shared this across all platforms but trying to unplug. I have not watched any news. We need acceptance every day more than ever xo

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  20. If each of us loved his/her neighbor, that would be the hugest step towards acceptance of those neighbors...no matter how they look or vote or whatever.

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