Grateful for Handwritten Notes and Letters (TY-29)

There is something special about receiving a hand-written note.
~ Dr. Angi K. Orobko

Hand-written notes and letters are such a gift! I feel that the person behind it took that extra special time to scribe it just for me. Handwriting is becoming a lost art as more and more of our children are learning keyboarding instead of handwriting. I am aware that many school system’s no longer require and/or include cursive writing in their lessons anymore. I feel that is quite a loss.

With the dawning of computers and hand-held digital devices, more and more of us are typing and text-messaging (texting). Our own language cannot even keep up with the new verbs we are creating as we type messages on our mobile phones and other electronic devices. Furthermore, our words have been reduced to acronyms. LOL (laugh out loud) Am I the only one finding it hard to keep up with all of this digital-techno-speak?

Oh, please do not misunderstand. I do appreciate the convenience of being able to communicate any time I like, 24/7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week); but, it does seem just a tad bit less personal. Don’t you think? The internet is certainly an amazing source for information (and misinformation).

Most questions can be answered at the tip of our fingertips by doing a Google search. Has “google” become a verb? I googled it and Wikipedia states that the Oxford English and Merriam Webster Collegiate dictionaries have added it in 2006. Really? And yet, my spellchecker has it red-lined. Hmm!

Let me get back on the topic of hand-written notes. On the one side, I love receiving them. I deeply appreciate and I am grateful for the time and effort that went into a note or letter that has been handwritten. On the flip side, I love to write them. Why? When I hand-write a note, a letter, or a journal entry, it allows me to slow down and take time and reflect. It can be quite meditative.

One of my favorite gifts to give others especially around the holidays are hand-written messages (in their holiday cards). I believe these messages are deeply appreciated, even though many of my loved ones do not reciprocate this. I usually get a Merry Christmas and a signature. It saddens me to think that holiday card exchanges have been reduced down to a chore. This is a golden opportunity to scribe a special message to share how much we appreciate our family and friends with hand-written messages.

Consider taking the time to reflect and appreciate your loved ones this holiday season by sending a  hand-written message of love, appreciation and blessings. Why not make it a new Thanksgiving tradition to gather the family to hand-write notes and messages of gratitude to include with your holiday cards? I am certain these notes will be well received. That is what I intend to do this year.

Related articles

• Memories from Handwritten Notes and Cards (stillgrowingup2.wordpress.com)
• The Art of the Handwritten Letter (southernrootsandseasonedwings.wordpress.com)
• Snailmail My Email (cd8774a.wordpress.com)
• Life is So “Unscripted” Anymore (kathleenwcurry.wordpress.com)
• Handwritten Letters (isurvivedamurderattackmyfamilydidnt.com)
• Grateful for Goodness (TY-25) (akissofbliss.wordpress.com)

 

Grateful for Goodness (TY-25)

As we appreciate the goodness in the world and in people, we plant seeds, nurture these seeds and create roots for more goodness to grow in the world and develop in people. More and more, I am seeing some wonderfully kind deeds being done, large and small. This is the time of year, where there are so many opportunities to contribute time and resources to others. People tend to be just a bit more kinder this time of year as we approach Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas.

I know of many people who are finding ways to help. I have a friend in Utah, who is putting together a Christmas Tree to be auctioned to the highest bidder as a fundraiser for a Children’s Hospital. It will be covered in handmade art from contributing artists. I am honored to be one of the contributing artists. I have hand-painted 3 small canvases that will be hung on that Christmas Tree. I deeply appreciate every time I witness others helping others. I am grateful that people do know how to come together and contribute time and resources when others really need it. All this goodness is appreciated. Thank goodness!

P.S. I will post images of the art I made tomorrow; I made 3 canvases, which are almost complete. They just need to dry.

Related articles

• 5 Minutes from a Thankful Heart: Tree (ourcrowdedheart.wordpress.com)
• Throwback Christmas Tree (sewpatches.wordpress.com)

Christmas and Childlike Faith

As a child faith was so easy, especially if you had loving and supportive parents to lay down the foundation. Christmas was always such a magical time for me. In other cultures it may be another holiday or event that renews the faith of a child. Whatever holiday or event it may be let us hold onto that sparkle that ignites our heart and spirit. May we all be grounded in our belief of love and kindness. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Related articles

• On the Second Day of Christmas…. (godspace.wordpress.com)
• Christmas Thoughts… (tomroyreleased.wordpress.com)

Message of Christmas – Connection

I took over 2oo photos on Christmas Day as I walked (with my husband and my puppy-dog) on the Noland Trail, which is part of the Mariners Museum in Newport News, Virginia. Each photo captured a beautiful moment in nature that are often invisible to us. The squirrel feasting on his Christmas meal stole my heart when I discovered this sight. It was quite a distance away, but I could hear the squirrel munching away. With the lens of my camera to assist my eye, I was in awe. We are all so deeply connected…people, nature, the material and the spiritual world. Christmas is the time of year that magically opens our senses to really see it. Merry Christmas.

Related articles

• All Christmas Trees (akissofbliss.wordpress.com)

All Christmas Trees

On Christmas Day my husband, Sasha and I went for a glorious and wonderful walk on Noland Trail, which is a 5 mile-trail surrounding the Mariners Museum in Newport News, Virginia. This is an outdoor tree in front of the Mariners Museum that has been decorated for Christmas. And, it is indeed beautiful, just like everyone else’s Christmas trees. Merry Christmas!

 

Related articles

• Oh Christmas Tree… (meghandidit.wordpress.com)
• O’ Christmas Tree (livevitale.wordpress.com)
• Twelve Days of Christmas (akissofbliss.wordpress.com)
• The Twelve Days of a Green Christmas…First Day… (greenflbroker.com)

Twelve Days of Christmas

Ah, yes, we are in the Christmas season that kicked off yesterday, December 25 and continues until the evening of January 5 with the eve of Epiphany. It is unfortunate that the first day of Christmas ends the Christmas marketing season for merchants, as shown by the number of “after-Christmas sales” that launched today, December 26. The commercial calendar has encouraged an incorrect assumption that the Twelve Days end on Christmas Day and must begin on 14 December (Wikipedia).

I still celebrate the liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas accordingly. Many people who observe the Twelve Days may give gifts on each of them, with each day of the Twelve Days representing a wish for a corresponding month of the new year. They feast and otherwise celebrate the entire time through Epiphany morning. Other traditions include: lighting a candle for each day, burning a Yule Log on the first night (Christmas night) and let it burn some each of the twelve nights, and having traditional foods served each night (Wikipedia).

For me and my family, we enjoy our time together listening to Christmas Carols, sharing conversation and leftovers, and reminiscing over Christmases past. We also partake in the “after-Christmas” sales and plan for the New Year. For some, Twelfth Night (January 5th) remains the biggest night for parties and gift-giving. Some households exchange gifts on the first (25 December) and last (5 January) days of the season. As in olden days, Twelfth Night to Epiphany morning is then the traditional time to take down the Christmas tree and decorations (Wikipedia).

Truth be told, our Christmas tree often stayed up until my sister’s birthday, which is just before mid-January. And, since we use an artificial tree, we could theoretically have the tree up all year and simply change the decorations to reflect the changing seasons (Valentine tree, St. Patrick’s day tree, Spring tree, Easter tree, and so on). We can choose to celebrate Christmas, love and light anyway we wish; but, the best way to keep Christmas and love in our hearts, is to give a bit of ourselves to others everyday of the year with the gift of kindness and compassion, whenever the opportunity presents itself. Merry Christmas!

 

Related articles

• Twelve Months in Twelve Days (averygrandpressigny.blogspot.com)

The Day Before Christmas

The Day Before Christmas

by: Dr. Angela Kowitz Orobko

It was the day before Christmas
and all through the land.
People trying to complete
their last-minute Christmas plans.

Goodwill is around us,
if you open your eyes;
See people acting kindly;
it is Jesus in disguise.

Smiles and laughter
will rule this day,
With Christmas carols
playing along the way.

However, keep in mind
that a few souls will be
Not as much into Christmas
celebration as you and me.

A hole in their heart from a past
event that brought them despair.
Let us create for them new memories
and fill them with love and tender care.

Appreciate and value every
person that crosses your way,
Know them or not, express love
and kindness; make their day.

Christmas can be a magnificent
and marvelous time to bring
A new season of compassion and love,
let every bell chime and every voice sing.

“Merry Christmas to all and to all Love and Thanksgiving!”

Related articles

• A warm greeting to you on Christmas Day (smartntrendymom.wordpress.com)
• Have Yourself a Merry Christmas! (feetfirstbook.wordpress.com)
• Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! (stjohnswortmontessori.wordpress.com)
• Merry Christmas (cupcakesandwanderlust.wordpress.com)
• Merry Christmas 2012! (cherokeebillie.wordpress.com)
• Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! (ngnrdgrl.wordpress.com)
• Merry Christmas! (ruthiedean.com)
• Merry Christmas (foodnerd4life.com)

It is Christmas Every Time…

Every time you allow God’s love to shine through your smile, your kind words, your helping hand, and your heart, Christmas is celebrated. Share Christmas everyday with your loving spirit and your warm heart! The gift of God’s love will fuel your own soul and the spirits of others. Have a very Merry Christmas!!

 

Related articles

• Merry Christmas! (garden2day.wordpress.com)
• Merry Christmas (waltbrite.wordpress.com)
• Merry Christmas (bagnidilucca.wordpress.com)
• Merry Christmas (aditixpictures.wordpress.com)
• Coming home for Christmas (linesbylinda.wordpress.com)
• Sending You A Little Christmas (theinnerwildkat.wordpress.com)

Christmas Magic

Take the time to enjoy the splendors of Christmas and other winter celebrations. It truly is the most magical time of the year. My blogs in the next few days will be short, sweet, and related to Christmas as I spend more time with my friends and family. Have a wonderful holiday weekend! Merry Christmas!! (P.S. The photo I used for Norman Vincent Peale’s quote are the Christmas lights down my decking staircase.)

 

Related articles

• Merry Christmas (aditixpictures.wordpress.com)
• Merry Christmas (bitebymichelle.com)
• The Magic Of Christmas (thecarlosshow.com)

Welcoming Back the Light

I spent my morning at the dentist, which went very well. And, I am very grateful. Today is also a special day. It is the first day of winter here in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer for our brothers and sisters in the Southern Hemisphere. Today is also Yule or Yuletide, which is a festival of renewal and light. Yule has traditionally been celebrated for millenia in the Northern Hemisphere by the Norse people. It has been a time for feasting, merrymaking and sacrifice. The Celts,  the Romans, the Greeks and the Egyptians also had similar festivities in and around wintertime.

Customs such as the Yule log, the decorated tree, wreaths of holly and evergreens, wassailing (caroling), mistletoe, gift-giving, using the colors: red, green, white, gold and silver, cookies, cakes, fruits, nuts, cider, eggnog, turkey, pork (ham), feasting, and honoring a god (of agriculture) came from Yuletide and related celebrations. The Catholic church later sanctified these traditions and incorporated them into Christian traditions to win over non-Christians (with the Christmas celebration December 25). I find the overlap of the symbolism of the return of the light (and the Sun) and the return of Christ (the Son of God) to be remarkable. Yule is truly a wonderful celebration filled with rituals of renewal and joy for the return of longer days. You can learn more of Yule at:

History of Yule (About.com) 
All about Yule (About.com)
Yule in the Northern Isles
The Winter Solstice – Yule Lore
Yule

I feel it is important to understand and appreciate the customs and traditions of others. In this way we can truly bring back the light and be love for one another. Wishing you and yours a Joyous Winter Solstice and Yule Blessings and Peace; good-bye to darkness and hello to a very Merry Christmas.

Related articles

• Yule Blessings and Peace (spiritproject.wordpress.com)
• Celebrating Yule (naturalpantheist.wordpress.com)
• Celebrating Yule (romancingthebee.com)
• A Poem for Yule (witchesofthecraft.com)
• Welcome Yule! (beckyinvt.wordpress.com)
• MYTHICAL CALENDAR : DECEMBER 21 : Winter Solstice, Yule, Mistletoe & More! (chscarlett.wordpress.com)
• Yule – Winter Solstice (witchesofthecraft.com)
• Midwinter Night’s Eve: Yule by Mike Nichols (witchesofthecraft.com)
• Troll the Ancient Yuletide Carol (hokku.wordpress.com)