Things to Ponder this Holiday Season

Things to Ponder This Holiday Season

With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we often forget the important things in life. We lose our perspective on humanity and focus on the materialistic society we have unfortunately transitioned into.

This year, I have ten things for you to ponder and how their impact affects you and the world around you. If you do one thing this holiday season, pay something 'forward'. 

Five gifts that are priceless:

Gift the gift of life by giving blood.

Give the gift of hope by giving food.

Give the gift of joy by showing compassion.

Give the gift of prosperity by giving of yourself.

Give the gift of love by allowing love into your heart.

Five things you can never recover no matter how hard you try:

A stone after it's been thrown. 

A word after it's been said. 

An opportunity once it's knocked.

Time once it has ticked by.

A person once they pass away.

Take advantage of every opportunity, every occasion and every moment. To do something that makes humanity stronger, happier and richer because of who you are.

A PAGAN CHRISTMAS part 7

A PAGAN CHRISTMAS

part 7

Yule Log vs Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree has been a tradition in Christian homes for centuries, but it got it's start in Pagan times as a Yule Log. 

During the Winter Solstice, the Yule log was used as a focal point for celebration. It signified the fertility, eternal life. The Yule log was adorned with holly and candles and lit (similar to the Jewish Menorah). After the Yule tide season was over, the log would be burned to ensure no evil will or spirits would enter the home.

As Christianity took hold, the Pagan tradition morphed into today's Christmas tree.  While today's Christmas tree doesn't resemble it's grandfather the Yule log, the principal and usage is the same. Celebration of life, family, love and hope for the future.

A PAGAN CHRISTMAS part 3

HOLLY, IVY AND GARLAND

In the 15th century, it is said that Londoners had a by-law that stated that they needed to decorate their homes and churches with whatever the season had that was 'green'. For the most part that meant evergreen trees, holly leaves, bay leaves(Laurel), and ivy. Evergreens represented life because they did not die in the winter as other trees did. 

Residents would wrap evergreen around banisters, and around hearths. Placing candles around to make a charming functional centerpiece. Holly and Ivy, were both used for their greenery as well as their religious representations.

While Christianity also finds special meaning behind the holly berries and ivy  (representing the Crown of Jesus and the blood he shed).  Pagans use holly to ward off evil spirits and darkness of some magic. 

Through the years and into the modern era; we still use holly and ivy in both the Christmas and Yule celebrations. Red and green have become synonymous with the holiday season and bring a smile to any one's face. The placing of evergreen garland expanded to include putting an entire tree of evergreen in the home in accordance with the traditional 'law'. 

May the home be filled with the love, life, hope, peace and tranquility that this season brings! 

Celebrating American Thanksgiving on Canadian Soil

Celebrating American Thanksgiving

on

Canadian Soil

It happens every year without fail. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October, and Americans celebrate Thanksgiving in November right? Wrong, Yes, those are the months they are indeed celebrated but more and more Canadians are hoping on the turkey bandwagon and marking the November holiday with just as much enthusiasm as their neighbours' to the south.

We have always celebrated both dates in my home. Being not only a 'border baby' but also half American, it was a normal occurrence. The almost 'ritual' now is watching Macy's Thanksgiving Parade (85th annual this year) followed by the National Dog Show and Miracle on 34th Street (original b&w version only). Let's not forget the football!

Embracing all the traditions of the American Thanksgiving by watching the TV. shows, watching the football and dining on turkey with all the trimmings is becoming big business in Canada. Canadian merchants are finally jumping on the 'Black Friday' train and using it to make a bigger dent in their holiday profit targets.

Personally, it's brilliant! I remember standing in lines and mobs during Black Friday just to put a $20 pair of jeans for $5. I'd much rather do that on Canadian soil and contribute to my local economy. Of course, now in the age of 'web commerce', waiting in endless lines and pushing through crazed mobs is on the verge of obsolesce. Ordering online is easy, painless and security measures have greatly improved making it safer and more attractable to consumers.

This is a day to mark the official end of harvesting and the beginning of the 'holiday season'. Not everyone celebrates Christmas, but almost every one celebrates Thanksgiving. It's a time for family, friends, joy, food and laughter. It's the one day out of the year that I am truly homesick.

So Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canucks who are celebrating and of course to my cousins, friends and family in the United States. May you all find joy, happiness, and love today and the rest of the holiday season.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I wanted to write you a letter to tell you I still believe in you. Everyone has tried to tell me that you don't exist but I think they have just forgotten what it is like to have the imagination of a child. 

At 44, you would think that I wouldn't still believe in you. The truth is, if I didn't believe in you then I also wouldn't believe in love, compassion, tenderness, empathy, faith and most of all humanity. You have given me so much throughout my life that you have to be real. Right? 

I mean, who could make so many people smile and feel warm and tingly inside even in the harshest of winters' nights. People are so nice this time of year. They open doors, say 'hello' and 'Happy Holidays' while bustling around with shopping bags and screaming kids in tow. That is a miracle right there in itself. Santa, if you aren't real then I have to look at the world with different eyes and I'm just not prepared to do that. 

I don't want to look at the world with hatred, disgust and contempt. I don't want to look at people and see the worst in them. I want to smell the roses not just see them for the flowers they are. I want to think that people are inherently nice and that it takes an act of anger to make them mean and hateful.

Santa, I know I have rambled on and on, and usually, you get a few choppy sentences with a giant list of toys from a wee child instead. I'm hoping you will read my letter with an open mind and open heart like I believe you possess. 


If you are able, for Christmas this year, all I want is: To have the heart of a child and the ability to look at the world with compassion, tenderness and hope.


If you can't bring me this for Christmas, I'll understand. I won't stop believing in you. I'll just keep hoping until next year.


Sincerely,


me


ps.... I really really want a Food Processor :) Come on, you are Santa after all!!

DAILY TIP # 8

DAILY TIP

Never go to bed without saying 'I love you', as you'll never know what night will be your last.

DAILY TIP # 5

DAILY  TIP # 5

October is Breast Cancer Month so if you are a woman make sure to get a mammogram! It could save your life or a life of someone you love!

Encouragement and empowerment can make anything possible.

We will find a cure! 

DAILY TIP # 2

DAILY TIP # 2

Love is blind to sex, religion, race, creed, color, orientation. If we were all like love, the world would be a truly utopic place

My Hero..excerpt from "Thoughts from the Talons"

My Hero

Not a man with medals or wearing tights and a cape

Not putting out fires or nabbing thieves on the take

My hero is charming and caring

Enjoys the world and thinks nothing of sharing

 

A man of convictions, intelligence and grace

Who doesn’t really care that he has a messy place

Laughs at my jokes and wipes away my tears

Embraces me tight when I tell of my fears

 An ordinary man just trying to fit in

Not looking for love but my hearts he doth win

Traveling hand in hand throughout the days

Similar in interests and still different in ways

 My hero is my friend, my confidant and my lover

Shares my hopes, my dreams but hogs the covers

I give of myself and thank the stars above

For once a stranger is now my hero to love

  

Sher B 11-07-2006 (c)

Oh so Proud

Being a writer has always been fun and rewarding but never so much as right now. I wrote an article about my hubby's passion and love for volunteering and hockey and this is how it turned out.


Thanks to David Murray @PittMeadowsToday.ca for publishing it for me!