#Unconditional Surrender

[rabbitcruiser]

The Vietnam War formally ended with the unconditional surrender of South Vietnamese president Dương Văn Minh on April 30, 1975.

[izzythehutt]

"Guy," she said, "I've only got a minute. I'm due at my office. I had to stop and see you. I've known you a long time if never very well. It just happens you're one of Ian's friends I really like. You may think it's no business of mine but I've got to tell you..." And then she delivered her message.

"But, dear Kerstie, do you suppose I didn't know?"

"Virginia told you?"

"Of course."

"And you're marrying her in spite of—?"

"Because of."

"You poor bloody fool," said Kerstie, anger and pity and something near love in her voice, "you're being chivalrous—about Virginia. Can't you understand men aren't chivalrous any more and I don't believe they ever were. Do you really see Virginia as a damsel in distress?"

"She's in distress."

"She's tough."

"Perhaps when they are hurt, the tough suffer more than the tender."

"Oh, come off it, Guy. You're forty years old. Can't you see how ridiculous you will look playing the knight-errant? Ian thinks you are insane, literally. Can you tell me any sane reason for doing this thing?"

Guy regarded Kerstie from his bed. The question she asked was not new to him. He had posed it and answered it some days ago. "Knights-errant," he said, "used to go out looking for noble deeds. I don't think I've ever in my life done a single positively unselfish action. I certainly haven't gone out of my way to find opportunities. Here was something most unwelcome, put into my hands; something which I believe the Americans describe as 'beyond the call of duty'; not the normal behaviour of an officer and a gentleman; something they'll laugh about in Bellamy's.

"Of course Virginia is tough. She would have survived somehow. I shan't be changing her by what I'm doing. I know all that. But you see there's another"—he was going to say "soul"; then realized that this word would mean little to Kerstie for all her granite propriety—"there's another life to consider. What sort of life do you think her child would have, born unwanted in 1944?"

"It's no business of yours."

"It was made my business by being offered."

"My dear Guy, the world is full of unwanted children. Half the population of Europe are homeless—refugees and prisoners. What is one child more or less in all the misery?"

"I can't do anything about all those others. This is just one case where I can help. And only I, really. I was Virginia's last resort. So I couldn't do anything else. Don't you see?"

"Of course I don't. Ian was quite right. You're insane."

And Kerstie left more angry than she had come.

It was no good trying to explain, Guy thought. Had someone said: "All differences are theological differences"? He turned once more to his father's letter: Quantitative judgments don't apply. If only one soul was saved, that is full compensation for any amount of loss of "face."

[paulthepoke]

US Build Up in the Middle East

[balenciagabastard]

Unconditional Surrender

[turiyatitta]

Unconditional Surrender

Embracing the Final Letting GoUnconditional surrender is not simply about relinquishing control over circumstances, desires, or attachments. It goes beyond the surface. This form of surrender requires the release of the very concept of surrender itself. It demands a level of vulnerability so profound that even the notion of letting go must be let go.What happens when there’s no longer anything to…

[liberty1776]

For most of European history, wars were fought with the understanding that if they became too destructive and costly, they could be concluded with a negotiated settlement. Once it became clear that one side was gaining the upper hand, the other side could sue for peace instead of dragging it out and getting a lot more people killed and property destroyed. Even during the great 16th century wars between the Ottoman Empire and the Christian nations of Europe, the opposing commanders were occasionally reasonable and humane enough to cease fighting when it became clear that nothing could be gained from … Continue reading →

[urloveangel]

I always receive what I want or better ✨

[headfullmanythots]

HAPPY VE DAY GUYS

[izzythehutt]

Sept 20th 1943 My Dear Guy,

I haven't been happy about our conversation on your last evening. I said too much or too little. Now I must say more.

Of course in the 1870s and 80s every decent Roman disliked the Piedmontese, just as the decent French now hate the Germans. They had been invaded. And, of course, most of the Romans we know kept it up, sulking. But that isn't the Church. The Mystical Body doesn't strike attitudes and stand on its dignity. It accepts suffering and injustice. It is ready to forgive at the first hint of compunction.

When you spoke of the Lateran Treaty did you consider how many souls may have been reconciled and have died at peace as the result of it? How many children may have been brought up in the faith who might have lived in ignorance? Quantitative judgments don't apply. If only one soul was saved, that is full compensation for any amount of loss of "face."

I write like this because I am worried about you and I gather I may not live very much longer. I saw the doctor yesterday and he seemed to think I have something pretty bad the matter.

As I say, I'm worried about you. You seemed so much enlivened when you first joined the army. I know you are cut up at being left behind in England. But you mustn't sulk.

It was not a good thing living alone and abroad. Have you thought at all about what you will do after the war? There's the house at Broome the village calls "Little Hall"--quite incorrectly. All the records refer to it simply as the "Lesser House." You'll have to live somewhere and I doubt if you'll want to go back to the Castello even if it survives, which doesn't seem likely the way they are bombing everything in Italy.

You see I am thinking a lot about death at the moment. Well that's quite suitable at my age and condition.

Ever your affec. father, G. CROUCHBACK

[bostonwalks]

This ceasefire is not a resolution. Hamas' unconditional surrender would be the beginning of a resolution.

Resolution should be Hamas' unconditional surrender!

[loveandthepsyche]

When you are in the presence of unconditional love, that is the optimum environment for your heart to open, because you feel safe, because you realize nobody wants anything from you. The minute that heart opens, you are once again letting in the flow. And that flow is where you experience God.

~ RAM DASS

[hladinisblog]

Surrendered ❤️

You gently cupped my breasts in your palms

I quivered , a spring of ecstasy, rising within

I was gasping, moaning and swooning with love

When you took your hands away, with a pluck on my nipples

I dropped to the ground, powerless and dazed

I held your leg tight to my bosom and looked up at you

You smiled at me and kicked me to the ground

I lay before you in surrender, just how you had tossed me, shedding all claims to my body

Begging within my heart to make me all yours!

You watched me breathe your eyes fixed on my breasts moving up and down like gentle waves

You placed your foot over my chest

As if to stamp your name on my heart

I clasped your foot and cried “ My Master, my love, this heart is yours.” My heart beating hard beneath your strong foot.

With no glance to spare at this meekly soul, you tiptoed on my breasts as you walked away.

Oh my love, my dearest what have you done to my heart?

My heart has never been so tender

so full of love and thumping aloud

I can barely hold it within my chest.

Don’t cast me away, this heart beating for you.

Wasn’t this slave born to serve?

Tell me, what can I do for you?

I can carry you in my arms, on my shoulders

Walk you through the thorniest trails

With your feet in my palms, one step at a time

Is there anything that I cannot do for you?

I have learnt to smile through every pain

Even when you starve me of your love

For every nail you drive into my heart, my precious

I shall, in return, bathe your feet with petals of rose.

Call me “Your slave” loud enough for the world to hear

I shall print it in gold and bear it on my chest.

Rest your feet over my heart, again, my Lord

My breasts were made soft only for a cause

To soothe the soles of your feet, your toes and heels,

Walk all over them, trample and crush them to bits

Watch me tremble in pain, bleed and battle for breath

My heart would still cling on to your feet - my shrine, my solace

Wear me as your armour, wherever you may go

So no blow, bullet or sword can get past my chest to yours

Let my heart bear all the pain there is in the world

So no harm can touch even the tip of your toe

Oh ! My love , my heart , my master !

You have set my heart so free in love

I beg, take my all, my Lord - my breath, heart, body and soul!

Tell me what I can do for you!

[rabbitcruiser]

Valentine’s Day 

Love and romance. Candy and flowers. Cards and gifts. Dinner and dancing.

Valentine’s Day comes along with a whole host of plans and accoutrements that are meant to all boil down to one thing: Love. And it all comes in the name of one man, St. Valentine, who was an interesting (and perhaps slightly misunderstood) character in history.

It’s time to learn about and celebrate Valentine’s Day!

History of Valentine’s Day

While some people believe that the history of this day is pretty clear, the reality is that the story behind St. Valentine’s Day is covered in a great deal of mystery. Tradition hails February 14 (and perhaps even the whole month of February!) as a time for love and romance, with both ancient Roman and Christian backgrounds.

But when the life of St. Valentine, the patron saint of this day, is considered, that’s when things tend to get a bit more murky. Some people don’t realize that the Catholic church actually has record of three of its own saints who went by the name of Valentine (or Valentinus) and all three died as martyrs.

Valentine’s Day Timeline

270 AD St. Valentine is martyred

Defying anti-marriage instructions given by Emperor Claudius II in order to build up the army, Valentine secretly supports and marries young couples which eventually leads to him being put to death. His death is said to have taken place on February 14.

496 AD First Valentine’s Day is recognized

Pope Gelasius decides to get rid of the Feast of Lupercalia, a pagan festival of love, and chooses to replace it with a celebration in honor of St. Valentine, who was martyred a couple hundred years prior.

1382 Chaucer’s Poem, Parlement of Foules, is written

This poem contains the first known literature reference connecting romantic love with Valentine’s Day. In the text of the poem, Chaucer writes of birds who would pair off with a mate, but some people refute the idea that it is connected to Valentine’s Day because February is too early and cold for birds to be mating.

1700 Americans begin exchanging Valentines

During this century, the inspiration for romance and love on Valentine’s Day turns into the specific gesture of exchanging notes, poems and love letters which may have been delivered by hand or by the US Postal Service.

2010 Valentine’s Day is released in theaters

This romantic comedy has a star-studded cast with big names like Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper and even Kathy Bates, and tells the story of several different romances between couples that happen all in one day. However, at the box office, the film doesn’t really get the greatest reviews from critics.

Valentine Promotes Marriage

Perhaps the most commonly held tradition around St. Valentine is related to the year 270 AD when Claudius II was the emperor of Rome. Known as “Claudius the Cruel”, the emperor who wanted to build a strong army but was having trouble because of the attachment the men had to their wives and families. His solution? Just ban engagement and marriage, of course!

The story goes that Valentine, a priest in Rome, disagreed with the decree from Claudius and decided to go ahead and perform marriages anyway, allowing young lovers to marry each other in secret. When discovered, Claudius ordered the public beating and beheading of Valentine, which took place on February 14. The church later honored him by naming him as a saint.

This same Valentine is rumored to have become friends with the daughter of his jailer. He is said to have left her a note signed, “From Your Valentine”. This may explain the idea of asking someone “Will You Be My Valentine?”.

Less common are the other two saints also called Valentine, one who was a bishop in what is now Terni, Italy, and another who was martyred in a Roman province of Africa.

Feast of Lupercalia

It’s possible that even before Valentine, the priest, was martyred on February 14, the Feast of Lupercalia, a pagan feast of love, was celebrated around the same time. One tradition that went along with this festival is that the names of women were put into a box and drawn out by the men that they would be matched up with, letting chance (or fate!) take the lead.

By 496 AD, Pope Gelasius was tired of such pagan celebrations, so he declared that the Feast of Lupercalia would be canceled and, instead, St. Valentine’s Day would be celebrated on February 14. As time passed, this day became one where lovers would exchange poems, cards, notes and flowers, singing songs and performing other romantic gestures.

How to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Celebrating Valentine’s Day comes with all sorts of inherited romantic traditions which can certainly be fun and bring lots of joy! But this is also a great way to get creative with showing people how much they are loved–even if it isn’t a romantic relationship.

Try out some of these ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day:

Make a Card or Gift for Someone

Whether it’s a romantic partner or just a friend, Valentine’s Day is a great day to say “I Love You”. Hand made cards and gifts are especially welcome when it comes to showing someone how much they are cared for. January is a dark and quiet month anyway, so there’s plenty of time to prepare homemade gifts from a hobby like knitting a scarf, braiding a friendship bracelet, embroidering a towel, painting a picture or simply making a card.

Send Roses for Valentine’s Day

With delivery services abounding in almost every town, getting flowers delivered has never been easier! Choose to send red roses that stand for passion; yellow for friendship; pink for sweetness; peach for sincerity or gratefulness; white for purity or loyalty; ivory for perfection; and lavender for a crush (or love at first sight!).

Make Dinner Reservations

It’s likely that a last minute idea for going out to dinner will result in ordering takeout to eat at home, because restaurants are basically always full on Valentine’s Day. But, think ahead (sometimes months ahead, depending on the popularity of the restaurant) and make a reservation for two at a romantic place.

Enjoy a Story About Love

Head over to a local bookstore or library and browse the selection of novels or biographies that might feature stories about love. Or, it might even be interesting to read a biography about the guys named Valentine!

Those who don’t have as much time to read could put on their favorite drama or rom-com movie and see what hijinx the main characters get into. Try out some of these films about love to get started:

Valentine’s Day (2010). Okay, maybe this one is obvious. And perhaps it’s not even a great film, but it would be remiss to leave out this one with an all-star cast including Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Garner and Ashton Kutcher.

The Notebook (2004). This quintessential romance by Nicholas Sparks can be read as a novel or watched in the film starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.

Pride and Prejudice (2005). This delightful take on the Jane Austen’s novel of the same name stars Keira Knightly, Rosamund Pike and Matthew Macfayden.

Think Like a Man (2012). Based on Steve Harvey’s book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, this rom-com features Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, Kevin Hart and Meagan Good.

Get Creative for Valentine’s Day

This day doesn’t have to be the same as it’s always been. In fact, it’s a great day to try something new. Go on a mountain hike, visit a museum together, go whitewater rafting or learn how to play chess. Whatever would be fun and can be done in the spirit of love is the perfect activity for this day!

Valentine’s Day FAQs

When is Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day takes place every year on February 14. It started on this day in AD 496 when the pope established the holiday in Rome in honor of the martyred Saint Valentine, who was killed on February 14.

What to do on Valentine’s Day?

This day can be filled with opportunities to show people how much they are loved. Exchange cards, send someone flowers, make breakfast for family members or write a poem.

When was the first Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day is not actually a modern holiday, but has been celebrated in the middle of the month of February for more than 1500 years. The first Valentine’s Day was established by Pope Gelasius.

Is Valentine’s Day a global holiday?

Yes! Valentine’s Day is celebrated in various capacities in countries all over the world. From sharing a bottle of wine to giving gifts, from school children in America exchanging Valentines cards to people in Wales exchanging carved wooden spoons, this day is one that shows how people simply love the idea of love.

Who was Saint Valentine?

There is a bit of overlap in the stories as it seems there were at least three martyred saints with the name Valentine. However, the one most notably celebrated was a priest in Rome who defied the emperor’s anti-love commands and married young couples anyway.

Source

[runefactorynonsense]

Cozytober - Day 31 - Feast (for my eyes!)

🎃Happy Halloween , 2023 🎃

[catsinthebagdesignposts]

What Love Says… Liberation

Ask the trees what it takes to let go. Observe the dance of wind, the whisper and twist as leaf stem surrenders, Hovering across the sky all manner of colourful memories begin their dance, Colours woven to all of life floating and sinking, Becoming an earthen carpet, a tapestry a soul creation, Liberation.

Surrender weaves endings while creating threads of beginnings, Everything is connection, is oneness, is life, Unbound, moments of growth and expansion, Liberation comes through a heart, mind, body wisdom, The tree observes releasing all that no longer serves, As a dance of new beginnings!

Oodles of love to all!

What Love Says… 2024 by Jennifer R. Cook @catsinthebagdesignposts Daily messages from animal spirit guides assisting beings to embrace all facets of love. Lets' have a heart to heart through eLOVEution, guidance for your life's journey. Set up a heart to heart session today and buy my book What Would Love Do at www.eloveution.com

[haribolnamaste]

Sri Sri Radha Krishna

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#radha #radharani #krishna #krsna #radhakrishna #radhakrsna #prema #bhakti #bhaktiyoga #yoga #rasa #mahabhava #vrindavan #unconditionallove #mercy #surrender #kirtan #sankirtan