Celebration

Some Motivation For The New Year

If you have ever looked at my opening article, you will see that it is a quote from one of my sources of motivation, Og Mandino. So as I prepare for this New Year, I thought it would be only fitting to share with you, something else written by Og Mandino.

Use this as a source of motivation as you prepare your goals and resolutions for the up-coming year.

THE SEEDS OF SUCCESS

God, I thank you for this day.
I know I have not accomplished as yet all you expect of me, and if that is your reason for bathing me in the fresh dew of another dawn, I am most grateful.

I am prepared, at last, to make you proud of me.

I will forget yesterday, with all its trials and tribulations, aggravations and setbacks, angers and frustrations. The past is already a dream from which I can neither retrieve a single word nor erase any foolish deeds.

I will resolve, however, that if I have injured anyone yesterday through my thoughtlessness, I will not let this day’s sun set before I make amends, and nothing I do today will be of greater importance.

I will not fret the future. My success and happiness does not depend on straining to see what lurks dimly on the horizon but to do, this day, what lies clearly at hand.

I will treasure this day, for it is all I have. I know that its rushing hours cannot be accumulated or stored, like precious grain, for future use.

I will live as all good actors do when they are onstage – only in the moment. I cannot perform at my best today by regretting my previous act’s mistakes or worrying about the scene to come.

I will embrace today’s difficult tasks, take off my coat, and make dust in the world. I will remember that the busier I am, the less harm I am apt to suffer, the tastier will be my food, the sweeter my sleep, and the better satisfied I will be with my place in the world.

I will free myself today from slavery to the clock and calendar. Although I will plan this day in order to conserve my steps and energy, I will begin to measure my life in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not seasons; in feelings, not figures on a dial.

I will remain aware of how little it takes to make this a happy day. Never will I pursue happiness, because it is not a goal, just a by-product, and there is no happiness in having or in getting, only in giving.

I will run from no danger I might encounter today, because I am certain that nothing will happen to me that I am not equipped to handle with your help. Just as any gem is polished by friction, I am certain to become more valuable through this day’s adversities, and if you close one door, you always open another for me.

I will live this day as if it were Christmas. I will be a giver of gifts and deliver to my enemies the gift of forgiveness; my opponents, tolerance; my friends, a smile; my children, a good example, and every gift will be wrapped with unconditional love.

I will waste not even a precious second today in anger or hate or jealousy or selfishness. I know that the seeds I sow I will harvest, because every action, good or bad, is always followed by an equal reaction. I will only plant good seeds this day.

I will treat today as a priceless violin. One may draw harmony from it and another, discord, yet no one will blame the instrument. Life is the same, and if I play it correctly, it will give forth beauty, but if I play it ignorantly, it will produce ugliness.

I will condition myself to look on every problem I encounter today as no more than a pebble in my shoe. I remember the pain, so harsh I could hardly walk, and recall my surprise when I removed my shoe and found only a grain of sand.

I will work convinced that nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. To do anything today that is truly worth doing, I must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in with gusto and scramble through as well as I can.

I will face the world with goals set for this day, but they will be attainable ones, not the vague, impossible variety declared by those who make a career of failure. I realise that you always try me with a little, first, to see what I would do with a lot.

I will never hide my talents. If I am silent, I am forgotten, if I do not advance, I will fall back. If I walk away from any challenge today, my self-esteem will be forever scarred, and if I cease to grow, even a little, I will become small. I reject the stationary position because it is always the beginning of the end.

I will keep a smile on my face and in my heart even when it hurts today. I know that the world is a looking glass and gives back to me the reflection of my own soul. Now I understand the secret of correcting the attitude of others and that is to correct my own.

I will turn away from any temptation today that might cause me to break my word or lose my self-respect. I am positive that the only thing I possess more valuable than my life is my honor.

I will work this day with all my strength; content in the knowledge that life does not consist of wallowing in the past or peering anxiously at the future. It is appalling to contemplate the great number of painful steps by which one arrives at a truth so old, so obvious, and so frequently expressed. Whatever it offers, little or much, my life is now.

I will pause whenever I am feeling sorry for myself today, and remember that this is the only day I have and I must play it to the fullest. What my part may signify in the great whole, I may not recognize, but I am here to play it and now is the time.

I will count this day a separate life.

I will remember that those who have fewest regrets are those who take each moment as it comes for all that it is worth.

This is my day!
These are my seeds.
Thank you, god, for this precious garden of time.

~ Og Mandino ~

Some Thoughts on Christmas Day

Every Christmas morning, my sisters and I would wait anxiously for my father to give the "You can open your presents now" command. I'm not sure we slept much at all after we went to bed on Christmas Eve, and we would lay in our beds for what seemed like hours, until we heard Dad's voice. I have such vivid memories of my childhood Christmas's, memories from our days celebrating the holidays in my parent's home.

Over the years, my parents have given me the boxes of our family's Christmas decorations. The big red stocking with my name written with glitter, my first ornaments and of course all the handmade Christmas tree decorations I made for them throughout the years. (I never knew that they saved all of the things that I had made for them!) And often, as I look at some of the real old-fashioned glass ornaments that belonged to my grandmother, I can't help but remember, some of my most cherished Christmas memories of all.

You know, it seems that as we grow older, there are many little things that change throughout the course of a year. But we never really stop and notice them, until as a family, we gather together at the dinner table for Christmas. With the exception of one or two years when my sisters had Christmas at their homes, our family has always gathered at my parent's home for Christmas dinner. For me, it is then, that it almost brings a pain to a little place in my heart where all my hidden feelings go. It was during the season of Christmas, those years ago, when my beloved Grandmother died after a battle with breast cancer. As I look around the table, I can't help but thinking back to when my Grandmother sat next to me at the very same table, helping me to "hide" the food left on my plate so I wouldn't get in trouble. Or when she would slip a five-dollar bill to me across her lap and softly say "This is for you." I miss my Grandmother nearly as much today as I did the day she died.

Yes, some things have changed over the years. Family members have died and son-in-laws have joined the mix. (And in a couple of cases, even a couple of son-in-laws have been replaced with newer models!)  There's even a granddaughter at the table now. But as I gaze around the dinner table, I can still remember those who occupied the same seats as when we were children. And if I think back hard enough, I can even remember bits and pieces of conversations that still linger in the child-part of my brain and the secret compartments of my heart. But as sure as I'm sitting here, there are things that haven't changed a bit, because my father still makes us girls wait anxiously for him to command  "You can open your presents now," before we are allowed to touch anything.  And I still get the same feelings in the pit of my stomach...the feelings of  love, and trust and of course, a feeling of family.

As you celebrate Christmas this year, take a moment and remember the past. Remember the friends and family who have helped you grow to be the person you are today, whether they are still here or have passed on. I know that for me, my Christmas spirit is born of the love of  family, both present and past.

Merry Christmas

Joann

Christmas Depression

As most of us try and make our way through the holiday season, shopping, baking, decorating and attending parties, there are those among us who have a much different experience.

For them, the holidays are a painful time, a sad time and a for so many, a very depressing time. They do not share in the holiday frenzy that greets them around every corner. And for so many of them, it becomes almost more than they can bear.

It's hard to say just what happened to them over the years. Once, they were children that saw the holidays through the eyes of innocence, and they became giddy with restless anticipation during that time of the year. As adults, expectations were high that this season would be as magical and perfect as it was in their childhood. They tried to recapture the wonderment they felt as children waiting for Santa, or waiting for a rush of emotion as they pondered the religious significance of Christmas or Chanukah.

But for reasons known only to them, they do not experience the holidays that way any more. And when those feelings don't automatically well up, they become disappointed and sad. And if they become depressed, the fact that they can't enjoy these things as they once did, makes them twice as miserable, and they berate themselves for not partaking fully in the joys of the season.

For me, the Christmas season can be particularly difficult at times because several years ago, I lost someone very dear to me. My beloved grandmother died, after a long battle with breast cancer, during the Christmas holidays. Not only was the wake and funeral two weeks before Christmas that year, but several of the organizations she had belonged to, had mass said in her honor for the entire month leading right up to Christmas day.

Our parish church was decorated with hundreds of poinsettia plants that adorned the alter. I spent so much time kneeling in church that month, just staring at those poinsettia plants and listening to somber organ music, that for many years after, I could not look at a poinsettia plant or hear mournful holiday songs without crying. (Even today, certain Christmas songs make me weepy.)

On a very personal level, Christmas changed for me the day my grandmother died. Not just because her death was so close to Christmas, but because my grandmother was such an integral part of my childhood experience. For many years, the sheer stress of the holidays was just too much for me to deal with. So I would make sure I was on the schedule to work on Christmas day, just so I wouldn't mope around alone feeling sorry for myself. That was how I coped with what had become a very stressful and painful day.

But let's face it. The holidays can often be a stressful and often a disappointing time for everyone (except the kids.) We run ourselves ragged buying the perfect gifts, baking holiday treats, planning the perfect Christmas dinner, getting a tree, decorating both inside and outside the home, sending out Christmas or Chanukah cards, entertaining and, all while trying to keep down a job and managing a family. Wow! Talk about stress!!

And to top it off, we often find ourselves dealing with family and relatives whom we see infrequently, and don't necessarily enjoy spending time with. 

The idea of doing all this holiday stuff while you're in pain, sad or depressed, is beyond overwhelming. Folks who suffer with depression, become unmotivated and have no desire to contribute to the Christmas festivities. It isn't their fault that the holiday festivities consumes them and takes control of their feelings and makes them feel worse. Thoughts of Christmas takes the emotions of a depressed person and sends them into a deeper turmoil. And then the frustration of their situation takes control and drags them deeper into their thoughts, and deeper into their depression.

We all want to believe that Christmas is all about having fun. That it is an exciting, warm and fuzzy, family orientated time of the year. Everyone you talk to or listen to (especially TV commercials) is telling you how much you should be enjoying this time of year. And it sure is for those with family and friends to share it with. For most people, Christmas is filled with the excitement of sharing quality time with loved ones, looking forward to warm welcomes, cheerful smiles, presents and food galore.

But not for everyone. Especially not for those unfortunate enough to be debilitated with the illness of depression. They dread Christmas with every inch of their being. Often, they are filled with anxiety and self-doubt and their emotions become distorted. Instead of feeling  joy and excitement, they feel out of control. Depressed individuals not only dread Christmas, but they wish that the day would magically disappear as if in their world, they could just delete from their calendar.

In another article, we will look at some things you can do for yourself or a depressed love one this Christmas. Many of the thoughts we will present, can also be applied to anyone who is just feeling totally stressed and at the end of their rope.

Celebrating Freedom: Remembering Pearl Harbor

In the mist of our preparations for holiday celebration, it is important that all Americans stop to acknowledge this day and it's significance in the history of our country.

On a Sunday morning, December 7th, 1941, the Japanese launched a surprise attack against the U.S. Forces stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. When it was over, a total of 2,403 were dead, including 68 civilians. Another 1,143 servicemen and 35 civilians were wounded.

When I remember this infamous day, I can only pause to celebrate the freedoms that so many have died to preserve. It is because of the sacrifice of the many who died on that day, and the many more who continued to sacrifice and die in battles fought so far away, that I can celebrate my freedom.

And to the thousands of men and women that were a part of the Greatest Generation of Americans, who served our nation in the wake of Pearl Harbor, including the members of my family, please accept my heartfelt thanks.

(Click on the photos below to see a larger image.)

The first photo, National Archives #80G32574, shows the USS Shaw in floating dry dock, after being hit during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

One of a series of four photographs showing the exact moments that magazine of the USS Shaw exploded. National Archives #80G32573

National American Indian Heritage Month

November is National American Indian Heritage Month.

The first American Indian Day in a state was declared on the second Saturday in May 1916 by the governor of N.Y. Several states celebrate the fourth Friday in September. In Illinois, for example, legislators enacted such a day in 1919.

This tradition continued and expanded on the state level for decades. It wasn't until 1990 that President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations have been issued each year since.

There is so much about the history and culture of the Native Americans that we have to learn. It is my opinion that the portrayal of the "American Indians" in cinema and television, has done a great disservice to an entire race of people and their cultures.

A good resource to begin with is: The National Register of Historic Places.

 

The Season of Giving Thanks

Well, believe it or not, ... it's already November!

And when some of us think of November, especially those of us living in America, the first thing we think of is the celebration of Thanksgiving, right?

But believe it or not there are many reasons that can give cause to celebrate in November besides Thanksgiving. I'll try to cover as many as I can throughout the month, while continuously adding some information and resources to help you prepare for the celebration of Thanksgiving day.

So let's get started.

I have always thought of Thanksgiving as such a special time. It’s a time to reflect on all the blessings in your life. All too often in our daily lives, we focus on bad things and don’t take time out of our busy schedules to be thankful for our blessings. Thanksgiving can be the perfect time to sort through and express these feelings.

If you have children or grand-children, this is the perfect time to help them understand what Thanksgiving is all about, too. Even though they may be learning something about the Pilgrims and Native Americans in their school curriculum, there is always an opportunity to share in their learning experience.

The best way to learn the story of the Pilgrims, and the Native Americans with whom they interacted, is to tour the PILGRIM STORY, which combines artifacts with historical information to illuminate the Pilgrim and Native American story to 1692, when Plymouth Colony as an independent entity came to an end.

Don’t let this Thanksgiving just be a time for your family to get together, eat dinner, and watch football games. Here are a few ways to help kids learn what Thanksgiving is all about.

• Make it Interesting - While you are discussing the Thanksgiving story, make it interesting to your kids. They don’t want a boring history lesson.
• Bring the Thanksgiving story to life when you talk about the pilgrims and Native Americans. Add your own words when you tell your kids how Thanksgiving became a national holiday.
• Incorporate the here-and-now into the Thanksgiving Story - Once you’ve discussed the history of Thanksgiving with your kids, bring it full circle, back to today. Ask them what they are thankful for. Remind them of the little things we so often take for granted that many children and families living in other parts of the world do not have. Ask them how they can be more thankful for the things they have.

And above all lead by example. Why not write a beautiful Thanksgiving card or letter to your life partner, your parents, your friends, or each of your children or grandchildren, and tell them why you’re thankful for them.

Take some time for youself every now and then and begin to compose your thoughts. Pretty soon, you'll start to discover your own personal thoughts on giving thanks.

The Celebration of Autumn

As we reach the middle of October, nature once again begins to change her appearance. When summer ends and autumn comes, the days get shorter and shorter. This is when the trees "know" to begin getting ready for winter.

For many people around the planet, autumn ushers in the time of year to celebrate and reflect. The American author Nathaniel Hawthorne said:

There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots
may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on
the feelings, as now in October.  ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne ~

For thousands of years, all around the world and throughout history, people have set aside a day to celebrate the autumn harvest, giving thanks for a plentiful growing season. Ancient Hebrews held a special eight-day feast to celebrate their harvest season. And, people in ancient Greece dedicated a nine-day harvest festival to Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. Similarly, pre-Christian Europeans marked a good harvest with a large feast before crops were gathered and stored for the winter.

These celebrations surrounding the autumn harvest have continued throughout history, and many modern cultures have set aside a specific day to give thanks. The date and customs may vary from country to country, but the desire to take time and reflect on life's blessings remains the same.

While we in America, have come to celebrate our "Thanksgiving" on a designated day in November, autumn can still be experienced as a season for celebration.

Why not add your own personal, and creative twist to the season of autumn, by initiating a personal family tradition and celebration. Use it as an opportunity to help your friends and family celebrate and reflect on all the blessings in their lives. Help them to celebrate their lives through the demonstration of your own personal expressions of gratitude and kindness.

You don't have to wait until November to celebrate the act of giving thanks. The true meaning of that traditional day of celebration is often lost in the preparation and dynamics of the holiday season.

So ... why not set aside some time now and celebrate and reflect on life's blessings. Celebrate autumn as our ancestors did before us.