Goodbye November, Hello December ......... 🦅

December got its name from the Latin word Decem (meaning ten) because it was originally the tenth month of the year in the calendar of Romulus c. 750 BC, which began in March. The winter days following December were not included as part of any month.

For the ancient Romans, December signifies the time to honor the Gods and keep the earth fertile and abundant. A time to celebrate the goddess or god inside us all, to hold our spirit, soul, and the gift of life as sacred.

The Month of December’s official birthstone is Turquoise, and December's Birth Flower is the Holly (or Narcissus). The Tropical Zodiac sign for December is Sagittarius from November the 22nd to December the 21st and Capricorn from December the 22nd to January 19th.

The month of December represents unity & trust. A Divine connection. Success in all areas of life. Challenges, commitments, and a time when your power is tested and succeeding will take courage, risk, trust, and compassion.

May this month of December bring about a new chapter and new pages of hope and accomplishments. May this month also bring us courage, strength, renewed confidence, patience, and inner peace.

May your December days also be filled with love and sunshine, and let joy and laughter reign supreme ......... 🦅

Always with love from Suzhou, China

Thomas F O'Neill

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

U.S. Voice mail: (410) 925-9334

China Mobile: 011 (86) 13405757231

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Semiautomatic weapons have no social redeeming values

Always with love from Suzhou, China

Thomas F O'Neill

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

U.S. Voice mail: (410) 925-9334

China Mobile: 011 (86) 13405757231

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thomas_F_ONeill

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-f-o-neill-6226b018/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomas_f_oneill/

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China's expanded COVID lockdowns trigger outrage.

Xie Jinping’s ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against COVID is the equivalent of trying to kill a mosquito with a sledgehammer, with the mosquito having the upper hand. 

The lockdowns and travel restrictions here are frustrating and a nuisance for people like me who are being restricted from traveling a few hundred kilometers to visit loved ones. The government policies against COVID are worse than the virus itself. 

Xie Jinping is using his ‘zero-tolerance’ policy to consolidate his power - by centralizing his power and control over the people of China; in the not-so-distant future, it may result in his downfall.    

China's expanded COVID lockdowns trigger outrage.

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/chinas-expanded-covid-lockdowns-trigger-outrage/

Always with love from Suzhou, China

Thomas F O'Neill

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

U.S. Voice mail: (410) 925-9334

China Mobile: 011 (86) 13405757231

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thomas_F_ONeill

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-f-o-neill-6226b018/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomas_f_oneill/

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Happy Thanksgiving ....... 💖

I enjoy teaching my students here in China about the thanksgiving holiday in America. The world can certainly learn much about the value of being thankful for what we have and the special people in our lives. Every school year, I conduct this special lesson about this particular season's history and its importance for us Americans.

I always explain to my students that being thankful is a powerful affirmation, bringing more of what we want into our life. When we are grateful for the things we have, we attract more goodness into our lives and those around us.

Psychologists have discovered people who show their gratitude for the things they have are much happier than those who do not express their appreciation. Because it is not happiness that leads to gratitude, it's gratitude that leads to happiness.

Be grateful even during these challenging times because these difficult times can become opportunities for growth and understanding. Challenges can strengthen our minds and lead to greater maturity. Face each difficulty that comes your way with renewed vigor. But, most of all, be grateful that you have the strength to face your challenges head-on.

Putting your gratitude into action is quite simple - a simple text message, email, or friendly phone call will accomplish your goal of letting others know they are appreciated. A handwritten thank you note can also be a super cool surprise for those we care about in our technology-dominant world.

I have plenty to be thankful for because people have gone out of their way to be kind to me throughout my life, and the Chinese here are no exception. In class, I once told my students that when you care for others, you are cared for, and when you love others, you are loved. This particular season should reveal our love for one another through kindness because loving kindness gives this special season its true meaning.

Always with love from Suzhou, China

Thomas F O'Neill

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

U.S. Voice mail: (410) 925-9334

China Mobile: 011 (86) 13405757231

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thomas_F_ONeill

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-f-o-neill-6226b018/

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Give thanks for good in life ....... 💖

Always with love from Suzhou, China

Thomas F O'Neill

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

U.S. Voice mail: (410) 925-9334

China Mobile: 011 (86) 13405757231

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thomas_F_ONeill

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-f-o-neill-6226b018/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomas_f_oneill/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thomasf.oneill.3/

 

Wishing a happy Thanksgiving from China ......... 🦅

 

Always with love from Suzhou, China

Thomas F O'Neill

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

U.S. Voice mail: (410) 925-9334

China Mobile: 011 (86) 13405757231

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thomas_F_ONeill

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-f-o-neill-6226b018/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomas_f_oneill/

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Let us honor those who made the sacrifice ......... 🦅

Woodrow Willson, our 28^th  President, declared that the bloody European War (World War I) would be the war to end all wars. However, we became embroiled in other conflicts throughout the world. 

World War I ended with the Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, which marked the official ending of World War I. Nonetheless, the armistice date of November 11, 1918, remained in the public imagination as the date that marked the end of that bloody conflict; that is why Americans honor our veterans on November 11th, known as Veterans Day. There will always be conflicts and wars but let us hope that there will never be another World War. 

Let us honor those who made the sacrifice to fight for our freedom and Democracy, which should never be taken for granted. Let us also keep in mind - America, without its soldiers, would be like an angel without its wings. So, on this veterans day, I would like to say thank you to our veterans for your service and commitment to the greatest country on earth, the United States of America ......... 🦅

Always with love from Suzhou, China

Thomas F O'Neill

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

U.S. Voice mail: (410) 925-9334

China Mobile: 011 (86) 13405757231

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thomas_F_ONeill

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-f-o-neill-6226b018/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomas_f_oneill/

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Democracy and common sense prevailed in Pennsylvania .......👏👍

Democracy and common sense prevailed in Pennsylvania; the voters' voices were heard in this crucial midterm election .......👏👍

Always with love from Suzhou, China

Thomas F O'Neill

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

U.S. Voice mail: (410) 925-9334

China Mobile: 011 (86) 13405757231

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thomas_F_ONeill

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-f-o-neill-6226b018/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomas_f_oneill/

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Go out and vote ......... 🦅

A complacent life can easily become an irrelevant life, so don’t be silent about the things that matter the most. Go out and vote because the soul of America and our democracy is depending on it ......... 🦅

Always with love from Suzhou, China

Thomas F O'Neill

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

U.S. Voice mail: (410) 925-9334

China Mobile: 011 (86) 13405757231

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thomas_F_ONeill

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-f-o-neill-6226b018/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomas_f_oneill/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thomasf.oneill.3/

Smile and the world will smile back at you 😊

Always with love from Suzhou, China

Thomas F O'Neill

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

U.S. Voice mail: (410) 925-9334

China Mobile: 011 (86) 13405757231

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thomas_F_ONeill

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-f-o-neill-6226b018/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomas_f_oneill/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thomasf.oneill.3/