a tickle of words to create smiles

Posts tagged ‘Holiday’

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.

 

Christmas and Childlike Faith

AKO-ChristmasFaith

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.

Message of Christmas – Connection

AKO-ChristmasSpirit

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.

All Christmas Trees

AKO-ChristmasTreeOn 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!

 

The Day Before Christmas

AKO-DayBeforeChristmas

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!”

It is Christmas Every Time…

AKO-MotherTeresaChristmas

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!!

 

Christmas Magic

AKO-ChristmasMagic

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.)

 

Welcoming Back the Light

AKO-Yule

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.

What Can You Say?

AKO-BestThingsToSay

Christmas and New Year’s Day are of the hardest times of the year for some people, particularly if they are alone. What can you do or say to them? Search your own heart. Put yourself in their shoes. If you were alone during a significant time of the year where everyone else seems to be joyful and with family or friends, what words would comfort you? How would you like to be treated?

I would want to be treated with love and compassion. I would want to be valued and appreciated. It would not have to be anything big. In fact, comforting, loving words are all that is needed to raise my spirits. I am certain that is true for most people. Some of the best things to say to anyone going through hardship are:

  • I LOVE YOU!
  • I care.
  • Do you want a hug?
  • You’re not alone in this.
  • I’m not going to leave you.
  • I’m sorry for your pain.
  • You are important to me.

If you like, take it a step further and invite anyone you know who might be alone for the holidays to spend time with you, your family and your friends. Share your joy, love, kindness and compassion with others. Loving words are truly one of the BEST gifts you can give others who are in need.

Counting my Blessings!

Counting my Blessings!
a poem by Dr. Angi K. Orobko

I am blessed to be alive,
to have all ten fingers
and  to have all ten toes.

I am blessed to have
the gift of sight and
to smell wonderful fragrances
with my beautiful nose.

I am blessed to have
two sturdy, supporting limbs
that are attached
to my nearly perfect feet.

I am blessed to have
the gift of a caring heart
that is healthy and warm
and never skips a beat!

I am blessed to have
two strong arms
to hug and embrace
and carry a load.

I am blessed with
two wonderful hands
that allow me to wave,
to paint and to write this ode.

I am blessed with a great family:
supportive parents, a loving sister,
and an amazing husband.

I am blessed with all the people
in my life, from all over the world, the internet
and in my community whom I consider friends.

I can go on and on with an inexhaustible list.
But I know you get the idea that I FEEL so very, very blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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