New Year Traditions

“Oh the places you'll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all.” ― Dr. Seuss

How will you celebrate the new year?

Is there something you do that is completely different from others in celebrating. Maybe old family traditions or cultural celebrations that you have always "just done" because that is what you grew up with.

In Scotland, the holiday is called "Hogmanay", being one of their biggest holidays, surpassing even Christmas. The celebration is several days long and one of the traditions is to build balls from wire, paper and other flammable materials, light them on fire while swinging them round and round while walking through the streets.

Over in Romania, an old rural tradition regaining popularity, takes place with people dressing in elaborate bear costumes. These revelers then go from house to house all of the while dancing as a means to scare aware evil spirits on New Year's Eve.

You might even like a tradition that originated in Spain. As the clock rings twelve times for midnight, people eat a grape each time it rings. This custom should bring to you prosperity and good fortune in the new year. Others also believe it wards off evil spirits.

While in Italy, one custom is for people to start throwing pots, pans and old furniture from their windows at midnight. As the other customs are, this one is done as a symbolic way to reject the old in favor of the new. Doing so allows people to let go of negativity and make room in their lives for positive changes.

Traditions go on and on in many different ways.

So how will you celebrate the coming new year? Are your new year resolutions written down and ready for undertaking on January 1? Have you even thought about what a new year will bring into your life? More importantly, are you filled with positive anticipation?

Stay inspired my friends.

Love - 25 Day Challenge

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-0 NIV

Your challenge for today and for all your days is to love one another.

And so it is said from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 8 through 14:

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men."

Linus: "...that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."



Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

Talk To A Stranger - 25 Day Challenge

“There are no coincidences in life. What person that wandered in and out of your life was there for some purpose, even if they caused you harm. Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense the short periods of time we get with people, or the outcomes from their choices. However, if you turn it over to God he promises that you will see the big picture in the hereafter. Nothing is too small to be a mistake.” ― Shannon L. Alder

The final day before Christmas, day twenty-four.

Our 25 Day Challenge has opened up a new way of going about your daily life. It has created opportunity for each of us to view the world a little differently. Life is short and should be enjoyed with the company of others in the best possible manner.

During our twenty-five days, we have been challenged to connect with others as the list below shows.

Now we are here on December 24th, the day before Christmas. It was a day when Christians tell the story of Mary and Joseph's travel to Bethlehem. They were doing so because Caesar Augustus had decreed a registration (census) be carried out in the land. People were required to travel to their town of birth in order to comply.

The story reads, “Of course, Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because of his being a member of the house and family of David.”—Luke 2:1-4.

This also means Joseph and Mary were not the only ones on the move traveling the roads. Yet as crowded as the roads were, all were likely strangers among strangers. Did anyone take time to talk with each other or were each in too big of a hurry?

My challenge for today is to have a conversation with a stranger.

While we may be hurried, performing last minute shopping for gifts and food for the Christmas dinner, we can take a moment for conversation. We can allow ourselves to know we are not simply a number in a Christmas shopping economic report.

We can melt away the loneliness of the holiday. We can connect to others as we truly exhibit the meaning around Christmas. We can create new friendship which will carry us forward into the new year.

We can be strangers no more.

Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

To Say Sorry And Forgive - 25 Day Challenge

“People have to forgive. We don't have to like them, we don't have to be friends with them, we don't have to send them hearts in text messages, but we have to forgive them, to overlook, to forget. Because if we don't we are tying rocks to our feet, too much for our wings to carry!” ― C. JoyBell C.

Here we are in the final week leading up to Christmas. Our 25 Day Challenge is quickly coming to an end. A near month full of kindness or acts of just being nice. Each have only taken a few minutes and were easy to accomplish.

Today my challenge is for you to say sorry (you know who to) or forgive someone for what they've done.

This forgiveness refers to the actor (you) and not the act. And it begins with three steps.

1. Identify one person you are angry with.

This could be someone low on your list or the raging person at work making your life miserable. Yet by starting low on the list, you get a small example of how forgiveness works and feels. Then, begin to forgive.

2. Honestly examine your feelings.

Talk to others, your friends or other supportive people and get the anger out. Try to understand why you are angry and write your feelings down in a journal. This will help you get rid of the negativity. Then, begin to forgive.

3. Begin to forgive.

Now think of the person you are angry with in your mind and ask yourself, “What emotional reasons were there for this person to treat me poorly?” It is for these reasons you can have compassion. These are the reasons to forgive.

And know that if we've been hurt by another person, chances are we have hurt someone as well. After forgiving someone, it is now time to say "I'm sorry" for whatever we may have done to another.

Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!