A Chama da Ascensão

Quarta-feira, 25 / 12 / 19

7 Ways to Truly Tune into Christmas Spirit During the Holiday Season

Sherrie Hurd.

learning-mind.com

Posted December 24th, 2019.

source

The holidays are here again. Are you doing something fun or fulfilling this season? It’s time to get into the Christmas spirit!

It’s cold outside, but inside it’s cozy and warm, at least for the fortunate ones of us. The winter season is here and it’s brought one of our favorite holidays – Christmas. While some people adore Christmas and love the hustle and bustle of shopping and parties, there are some who have trouble getting into the spirit of Christmas. Some people just don’t know how to enjoy the holidays.

The Christmas spirit visits once again

You can think of the spirit of Christmas as a wonderful guest, bringing gifts and eggnog, along with toasty scarves to keep us warm. That’s all good and everything, but what about those who cannot envision the spirit of Christmas, and the ones who are presently wishing it was over?

I think it’s time we helped them learn how to throw their arms around Christmas and enjoy! Remember, Christmas doesn’t have to be stressful. There are many low-key ways to celebrate the holidays as well. Let’s take a look at a nice mixture of exciting and soothing ideas, so everyone can enjoy the Christmas spirit.

Ways to celebrate the holidays:

1. Give back to others

This Christmas season, instead of worrying about the gifts you may receive, concentrate on giving to others. I don’t mean the normal routine of exchanging gifts around the tree, yeah do that too, but I mean giving to charities.

There are many Christmas charities in need of toys, like toys for Tots, or soup kitchens that will be feeding Christmas dinner to those who have nowhere to go. So, why not volunteer to give something back to others who otherwise might not receive anything if you didn’t.

2. Listen to holiday music

Yes, turn on those jingle bells, and rock around the Christmas tree. It’s time to appreciate Christmas music again. No other time of the year do we saturate our brains with the carols and songs of the holiday. To truly embrace Christmas, we must turn on the tunes, maybe dance around the room, and just enjoy the atmosphere of the joyful season.

3. Shop local establishments

Instead of maneuvering your way through department stores, try visiting a small family-owned shop. These little stores are usually located in the town center and decorated with Christmas lights and other tinsels. Inside, you will find things like handcrafted knick-knacks, hand-woven scarves and sweaters, and even a few things for the guys.

Visiting these places will also support your local entrepreneurs. After all, smaller businesses are the runts of the litter.

4. Play in the snow

I live in the south, so I rarely see snow all that much. But when I do, I make sure to go outside and enjoy its white brilliance. I love to make snowmen, have snowball fights, and sometimes just stick my tongue out and let snowflakes dissolve in my mouth.

Anyway, if you get snow every winter, you’re probably used to all that splendor, but you can still enjoy it anyway. As for the ones who rarely see it, we hope with anticipation that snow will come every single Christmas.

5. Enjoy some crafts

Like a child, we loved to make paper snowflakes or string popcorn to hang on the tree. I don’t know if anyone knows how to do this anymore, or if anyone even thinks about it. Well, it doesn’t have to be these crafts, but enjoying some sort of Christmas creation can definitely help you embrace all the magic of Christmas.

Here are a few ideas: bake Christmas cookies, make your own wreath, or build a gingerbread house. Just be creative!

6. Enjoy spiritual aspects of Christmas

If you are spiritual, there will be many things you can enjoy this Christmas, like viewing the manger scene or visiting the church. If your traditions are different but still spiritual, you can partake in those traditions as well. Now is the time to appreciate your winter season beliefs. So, do what you do and embrace the Christmas spirit.

7. Festivities

Before you leave work for the holidays, there will probably be an office party. If you’re introverted like me, you will not want to go. Sigh…I hate to say this, but let’s just get out there and enjoy one little celebration before we set our schedules for the holidays as we want them. So go to that party, enjoy in your own way, and wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

It’s time we embraced the Christmas spirit and realize that the holidays are right around the corner. There is always this crescendo that builds and builds until that wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Once it’s over, most of us feel a little down for a few days, which is another reason why we should embrace the holidays while they’re here. So put on that ugly Christmas sweater and go do something that honors Christmas.

I wish you the best this holiday season!

References:

Sherrie Hurd

Compiled by http://violetflame.biz.ly from:

https://www.learning-mind.com/christmas-spirit-tune-holiday-season/

Archives:

Previous * All Posts

 
More @ http://violetflame.biz.ly 
and https://rayviolet.blogspot.com/
Also  @ https://twitter.com/nai84003316 
and https://www.facebook.com/mel.tavares.75
 

A Trusty with Privacy Search 
Alternative to Google
startpage.com

Alternative to YouTube
brighteon.com
 

No religious or political creed is advocated here.

Organised religion is unnecessary to spirituality.

Excellent teachings of the masters have been contaminated by the dogmatic control of these religions.

Discernment yes; judgement does not.
If you use discernment you are free to research with an open mind.

With discernment it is possible to reach the spirit of the letter of any writing and it is also much easier to listen to the voice of the soul that comes from the heart.
Individually you can be helped to find your Truth that is different of everyone.

Please respect all credits.

Discernment is recommended.

All articles are of the respective authors and/or publishers responsibility.

Like this! please bookmark. It is updated daily

(email:nai@violetflame.biz.ly)

PT: a chama ~ Israel ou Cazária!? ~

ES: LLAMA VIOLETA

EN: VioletFlame

North Atlantic Islands

PayPal

trafficbot.uk/

Create your own visitor map!

tags: creativity, personal development, positive thinking, seasonal, self-improvement, sherrie, sherrie h, sherrie hurd

publicado por achama às 04:16

link do post | comentar | favorito

Domingo, 22 / 12 / 19

What Is the Spiritual Meaning of Winter Solstice and How to Embrace It?

Becky Storey.

https://www.learning-mind.com/

December 22nd, 2019.

.
image source

This year, Winter Solstice falls on December 22nd. This day will see the shortest daylight and longest night time of the entire year. We celebrate Winter Solstice when our part of the Earth is furthest away from the light, and warmth, of the sun. Some consider this day to signify the start of winter, while others view it as “mid-winter”. Astronomically, the Winter Solstice signifies the days changing from primarily dark, to increasingly lighter.

There is also a much deeper spiritual meaning of Winter Solstice. Religious, spiritual and skeptical people alike take part in rituals that make the most of this magical night.

The Spiritual Meaning of Winter Solstice

During this time of year, we celebrate endings and beginnings. Some believers associate the Winter Solstice with the birth of Jesus. Others consider the day to have been the “birth of the sun”. There are also similarities between the spiritual meaning of Winter Solstice and this time of yearly transition.

Embrace the Darkness

At this time of year, the darkness seems to be unavoidable. For most of us, we start and end our days in the dark, even if we’re only on a 9-5 schedule. It’s no wonder that moods drop during the winter season.

The Winter Solstice, in fact, signifies the end of darkness and the slow hike to days of light. After this spiritual night, the number of daylight hours we see will grow longer. The spiritual meaning of winter solstice is in its symbolism for “darkness” and patiently waiting for “light”. The Winter Solstice signifies the final moments of peaceful solitude we might have before the busier season of Spring arrives.

We are encouraged during this time to enjoy the stillness while we have it. The spiritual meaning of Winter Solstice is based on beliefs we all already hold – it is the concept behind the phrase “it’s always darkest before the dawn”.

Wait for The Light

If one half of the spiritual meaning of Winter Solstice is the darkness, then the other is the light. This current moment might feel far away from any spring-time sunshine, and an eternity from long summer nights – but it’s not.

Winter Solstice is the shortest day we’ll experience. We know that, though it may only be by seconds at first, more light is on its way. Patience is practiced at this time of year, the sunshine will return, we simply have to wait. During this time, we develop our ability to have faith that better things are on their way.

This is reflected in nature as animals go into hibernation during the darkest parts of the year. They wait patiently for the light to trickle back into their lives. Just as the darkness symbolizes both physical and spiritual “endings”, the spiritual meaning of the light is new beginnings.

Spiritual people use this time of year to look into their future and plan what fresh starts they will enjoy in the new solar year.

How to Embrace the Spiritual Meaning of Winter Solstice?

The best way to embrace the spiritual energy of Winter Solstice is to accept the light and the dark and relish them both. The benefits of one do not have to be the downfalls of the other. They will both allow you to grow, just in different ways.

If you’re searching for a way to connect to the spiritual meaning of Winter Solstice, some suggest taking 15 minutes either side of the sunrise to look inwards and reflect first on the year gone by, then on the year to come.

New Light

When the sun rises during the Winter Solstice, a new solar cycle begins. The sunlight finally brings the year’s longest period of dark to a close. New beginnings are what come to mind. Spiritualists encourage rituals based on light during this phase.

If you aren’t looking to get too involved, you could light candles or even a bonfire. If you would like to embrace the full spiritual meaning of Winter Solstice, you could burn tokens of your troubles or past you’d like to leave behind. Be it pictures, or old notes, or even thoughts written onto paper, by tossing them into a fire, you’re allowing the light to take away your darkness.

Take advantage of the few daylight hours we have on the days over the Winter Solstice. Spend time outside, connecting to nature no matter the weather. Sunlight, even through clouds, it beneficial to our mental and physical health, not just our spiritual well-being.

Embrace the Dark

When so much of our days are spent in the dark, we have to find ways to thrive no matter the light. A component of the spiritual meaning of Winter Solstice is your inner light.

As well as using candles, fires and lamps to light your space, take a moment to notice the light you spread yourself. Is it bright, or dim? Winter Solstice is the perfect time to practice brightening your own inner light, and to share it with others, to brighten their darkness in turn.

Embracing the darkness can also be applied literally. We spend most of our time avoiding the darkness and flooding ourselves with artificial light. As the spiritual meaning of Winter Solstice includes darkness, you could take these few days as an opportunity to get comfortable without light.

This could be turning off the lights and close the curtains. In total darkness, you can use your own senses to connect with the world around you, just as you would when meditating. You could also stay away from screens and anything which creates artificial light, allowing yourself to be governed by the sun and moon all day instead.

Winter Solstice is a very spiritual time. With a few rituals or moments of reflection, you too could start a transition from darkness to light. You can learn to tune into your own interpretation of inner light and inner darkness. During the Winter Solstice, focus on controlling and embracing what both have to offer.

References:

Becky Storey

About the Author: Becky Storey

Becky Storey is a professional writer who has been passionate about the way we think and the human mind since she developed chronic anxiety many years ago. Now she loves to write and educate people on mental health and wellbeing. When Becky is not writing, you’ll find her outside with her Labrador, sitting behind a jigsaw puzzle, or baking something with too much sugar.

Compiled by http://violetflame.biz.ly from:

https://www.learning-mind.com/winter-solstice-spiritual-meaning/

Archives:

Previous * All Posts

More @ http://violetflame.biz.ly 
and https://rayviolet.blogspot.com/
Also  @ https://twitter.com/nai84003316 
and https://www.facebook.com/mel.tavares.75
 
A Trusty with Privacy Search 
Alternative to Google
startpage.com

Alternative to YouTube
brighteon.com

Discernment is recommended.

All articles are of the respective authors and/or publishers responsibility.

Like this! please bookmark. It is updated daily

(email:nai@violetflame.biz.ly)

PT: a chama ~ Israel ou Cazária!? ~

ES: LLAMA VIOLETA

EN: VioletFlame

North Atlantic Islands

PayPal

trafficbot.uk/

Create your own visitor map!

tags: becky storey, earth, seasonal, self-improvement, solar system, spirituality

publicado por achama às 18:49

link do post | comentar | favorito

Quinta-feira, 28 / 11 / 19

The Unknown Origin of Thanksgiving: a Dark Story You Didn’t Learn in School

Jamie Logie.

November 26th, 2019.

.
img source

The holiday of Thanksgiving may seem straightforward with turkey and stuffing but has an uglier side that many are unaware of… The origin of Thanksgiving is more complicated than just the story of the pilgrims and Native Americans celebrating at Plymouth rock. It gets a bit darker, and peace ultimately didn’t win out.

This will be a look back at the Thanksgiving origin and the real story behind the story.

Setting The Stage For The Origin Of Thanksgiving

The story still starts with the pilgrims but more because of the tragic circumstances they were facing. The winter of 1620 was a notably brutal winter that ended up killing almost half of their people. The colonists decided it was time to create a relationship with their “neighbors.” These neighbors were the Wampanoag Tribe.

The Wampanoags taught the pilgrims everything about survival, including fishing, planting crops, and how to better hunt. By that autumn of 1621, the colonists – with their newly developed skills – had enough food and provisions to last them through the winter. They invited the Wampanoag to enjoy their haul and join them in a three-day feast.

This event didn’t feature the foods we would associate with Thanksgiving today such as stuffing and cranberry sauce but would feature things like goose, corn, and even lobster.

A Different Story

The above description is one that seems familiar, and it is true, but the way Thanksgiving evolved may not have been based on this event from 1621. For some later generations of colonists, the roots of their Thanksgiving had little to do with that 1621 event.

For some settlers in New England, Thanksgiving was a religious holiday that came from the Puritan days. They would observe periods of prayer, fasting, and giving thanks to God. Different colonies would observe various days of Thanksgiving determined by the leaders of each one.

But just one generation later after 1621, when we return to the relationship between the colonists and the Wampanoag, things start to break down. With thousands of new colonists arriving in the area, resources became more scarce. The authorities in Plymouth started to take up more land and dictate the way of life for the Wampanoag.

The origin of Thanksgiving as we know it is about to fade away.

The Spread Of Disease

It’s important to note that before those events of 1621, disease had already begun to decimate the Native American population. By 1619, nearly 90% of the Native American population in New England had been reduced. The spread of disease would still continue into the 1620s.

A new leader of the Wampanoag tribe emerged named Metacomet also known as “King Philip.” He had taken ownership after the passing of his father Massasoit. Relationships were starting to fray with the Wampanoag and the colonists, but things would fall apart when Metacomet would wage war after the murder of some of his men.

The Wampanoag would raid the New England colonies who eventually would declare war themselves in 1675. The war was brutal and ongoing. A large number of colonies would get involved with their members being taken hostage and held for ransom. The war pushed colonists into relocating and the Wampanoag to flee their villages.

Many towns – including Springfield, Massachusets – would be burned to the ground. The bloodshed and loss of lives were substantial. Not only was there the devastation of villages and land, but supplies, food, and provisions were being diminished.

Alliances and Attacks

The Colonists – knowing their backs were up against the wall – made alliances with other tribes such as the Mohegans and the Pequots. The Wampanoag looked to fellow tribes to form alliances and grow in power. When they approached the Mohawks in New York State, they were rejected and attacked.

Things then unraveled for “King Philip” who was shot and killed in a final battle. This man’s father was celebrating with the pilgrims just one generation earlier, and now he lay dead. It gets more gruesome as he would be beheaded and his head displayed on a stick in Plymouth for 25 years.

The other members of the Wampanoag would either be killed or sold into slavery in the West Indies. What had started as a celebration of thanksgiving ended up descending into war and death. It is thought that nearly 30% of the English population and half of the Native Americans were wiped out during the wars.

The controversial history behind Thanksgiving

The origin of Thanksgiving can make this a tough time of the year to look back on. On one hand, we have the traditional story with the idyllic setting and the coming together of different peoples. This is the image we have embraced, but it wasn’t the end of the story.

It’s hard to picture that this original peaceful situation would descend into a bloody war. The battles were vicious and have been overlooked over the course of time. Today, we tend to just embrace turkey and football while not being aware of what has transpired over the course of this “holiday”.

Even though the core of the original day of thanks has stayed with us, we would be remiss to not remember all the events that unfolded. The best thing is to not ignore the entire origins of this holiday, focus on the positive and uphold those original values of sharing, community, and giving thanks.

References:

About the Author: Jamie Logie

Jamie Logie is a personal trainer, nutritionist, and health and wellness specialist. Jamie also studied sociology and psychology at Western University and has a counseling diploma from Heritage Baptist College. He has run a blog and top-rated podcast on iTunes called "Regained Wellness". Jamie is also a contributing writer for places like the Huffington Post, Thrive Global, LifeHack and has an Amazon #1 book called "Taking Back Your Health".

Compiled by http://violetflame.biz.ly from:

https://www.learning-mind.com/little-known-origin-of-thanksgiving/

Archives:

previous * All Posts

 
More @ http://violetflame.biz.ly 
and https://rayviolet.blogspot.com/
Also  @ https://twitter.com/nai84003316 
and https://www.facebook.com/mel.tavares.75
 
A Trusty with Privacy Search 
https://www.startpage.com/

 

Discernment is recommended.

All articles are of the respective authors and/or publishers responsibility.

Like this! please bookmark. It is updated daily

(email:nai@violetflame.biz.ly)

PT: a chama ~ Israel ou Cazária!? ~

ES: LLAMA VIOLETA

EN: VioletFlame

North Atlantic Islands

PayPal

trafficbot.uk/

Create your own visitor map!

tags: archaeology, culture, food for thought, history, humankind, jamie logie, seasonal, society

publicado por achama às 09:31

link do post | comentar | favorito

LAR

últ. recentes

achama
Thank you Mateo, It is fixed.
Mateo Sol
Thank you for reposting my article. However the or...
Suricato
"Hoje é um homem de missão cumprida, engenheirão v...
Dione Scarpelli
Bacana esse post, vou compartilhar no facebook, cr...
achama
O Sathya Sai Baba ainda está entre nós e vive na Í...
achama
Olá, obrigado pelo comentário.Sempre que dermos ou...
achama
Sempre que dermos ouvidos à voz que vem do coração...
Valdeci
Ola Manuel, muita luz para você ,é a primeira vez ...
Anónimo
fale alguma coisa,de mim sou poliana miguel
Poliana Cristina
Você fala com anjos ,pede um deles mandar uma mens...
achama
A "vida real" é uma ilusão Toda a matéria é formad...
Pedro
Bom dia,reparámos que o seu blog faz uso de textos...
achama
O Amor é tudo o que existe e na sua mais pura exên...
M
usando uma metafora descrevendo a vida real, e nao...
m
o odio deve-se à permissao do mal andar entre nós,...
apartamentos pequenos decorados
Obrigado pelas suas palavras. Fiquei a conhecer po...
achama
Adoro este artigo. Já tinha conhecimento do assunt...

A Chama da Ascensão

pesquisar

7 Ways to Truly Tune into Christmas Spirit During the Holiday Season

Sherrie Hurd.

learning-mind.com

Posted December 24th, 2019.

What Is the Spiritual Meaning of Winter Solstice and How to Embrace It?

Becky Storey.

https://www.learning-mind.com/

December 22nd, 2019.

The Unknown Origin of Thanksgiving: a Dark Story You Didn’t Learn in School

Jamie Logie.

November 26th, 2019.

mais sobre mim

Agosto 2020

posts recentes

últ. recentes

arquivos

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

tags

links

subscrever feeds