Category: Uncategorized

Easter around the world?

Published on by goforthegood1Leave a comment

Image

My husband was gifted a trip from his previous employer to Cordoba, Argentina this week. I am anxious to hear his stories, his experiences and the details behind the town shutting down for 5 days from today–Good Friday. Argentina is predominantly Catholic and the new Pope happens to be from Argentina, so I am sure he will learn a few things while he is there visiting during Easter. With Easter this weekend my curiosity of other religious cultures has peeked my interest. 

I thought you may be a little interested too, so I am going to share what I can learn and we will all be a little more enlightened.

Here are some traditions from around the world according to an article by the Huffington Post

In Bermuda they celebrate Good Friday by flying home-made kites, eat codfish cakes and hot cross buns.

My suggestions from the inspiration of Bermuda: Maybe for your Easter week you could make a special bread that is braided to symbolize connection & bringing family together, or a bread shaped like a cross or dove. I also love the idea of getting Kites and it being a symbol of waving hello to God. Another fun idea would be to have your family write messages of thanks on the kite to send to the heavens.

In Norway they have an interesting tradition for the season known for “Easter Crime” or Paaskekrim. At this time of year, many around the country read mystery books or watch televised crime detective series.  Many families escape to the mountains for the vacation week beginning the Friday before Palm Sunday and ending the Tuesday after Easter Monday. 

My suggestions from the inspiration of Norway: You could have each family member bring a favorite hymn or quote relating to Easter to share with the family. 

In Northwestern parts of Europe they have large bonfires, called Easter Fires, and are lit on Sunday and Monday. While there are various explanations for the origin of the Easter Fires, the most common Saxon tale is that Easter is a time when spring becomes victorious over winter and the fires were to chase the darkness of winter away. Today, however, the meaning of the fires is to bring communities together. They also share Easter baskets or make easter bonnets.

My suggestions from the inspiration of Europe: I love this idea, to gather family around and build a big bonfire after a beautiful Easter meal. I think it would also be fun to have everyone create their own Easter bonnet to wear to a family easter egg hunt. 

In Sweden, Easter is celebrated with meals of eggs, herring and Jansson’s temptation (potato, onion, pickled sardines baked in cream). The most interesting tradition to come out of Sweden is that in the days leading up to Easter Sunday, children dress up as Easter witches, wearing old and discarded clothes. Traveling from home to home in their neighborhoods, the children trade paintings and drawings for sweets.

My suggestions from the inspiration of Sweden: I liked the idea of having children trade their drawings and paintings for sweets. I am having a big egg hunt with my nieces and nephews and I think I am going to invite them all to bring a piece of artwork to share with everyone before the festivities begin. 

In Haiti, the Holy Week is marked with colorful parades and traditional “sara” music played on bamboo trumpets, maracas, drums and coffee cans. It is usually a mixture of Catholic and Voodoo traditions. 

My suggestions from the inspiration of Haiti: You could have children make their own hand-made drum out of a coffee can. They could get very creative & then drum together. Or you could have a family parade of everyone dressed in their Sunday best, dancing and posing for one another.

Some more interesting ideas:

In Poland and Russia they are known for their “Butter Lambs”–butter is sculpted into the shape of a lamb, which accompanies a meal.

In Australia they are beginning to make a chocolate Bilby (in stead of Bunny) to help raise the awareness about the dwindling Bilby population.

In other parts of Europe fountains may be adorned with flowers, ribbons and eggs.

The bell’s in France’s churches are silenced on Good Friday to recognize the death of Jesus. But legend says that the bells actually fly to Rome and fly back in time to be rung on Easter Sunday. There are many paintings that attest to this tradition.

In England they still have egg rolling contests. People compete by rolling eggs down large hills and the ones that roll the furthest or survive the most competitions win.

In Mexico there are passion plays and processions of which the most important is called the Via Crucis (which is Jesus sent to be crucified). You will not find easter bunnies or chocolate eggs here on Sunday.

In Ireland you will find dance–like the cake dance, the Dawn Dance–long ago the people of Ireland believed that when the sun rises on Easter morning, it dances with joy that the Savior has risen. Families would get up before dawn and make their way to the top of a hill and wait for the sun & then do a jig.

Well, I hope this world tour of Easter events was fun, fascinating & filled you with fun ideas to create for your own Easter week. 

Feliz Pascua (Happy Easter in Spanish)   Joyeuses Pâques (Happy Easter in French)

Vrolijk paasfeest (Happy Easter in Dutch)   Selamat Paskah (Happy Easter in Indonesian)  Bonn fet pak (Happy Easter in Haitian Creole)   Buona Pasqua (Happy Easter in Italian)

God paske (Happy Easter in Norwegian)    just a little taste from other cultures!!

HAPPY EASTER wherever you are. PEACE and LOVE to you.   -Heather

 

An Easter Aha!

Published on by goforthegood11 Comment

ImageI was reading my young daughter a story of how the Easter bunny arrived into the folklore and magic of this holiday season. It was an idea that bloomed from the forest floor, Spring had arrived, but the children did not notice, so the animals of the forest decided there needed to be someone who would bring a little spring surprise to the children to let them know that Spring had come once again. Here is the link to the story if you would like to read it: http://www.fairystory.org/classic-western-fairy-tales/the-easter-rabbit.html

This reminded me of how everything yearns to be praised and appreciated. The forest wanted to see and feel the delight of the children dancing around the forest floor, smelling the flowers, enjoying the lush, green grass and the new birth that was in abundance. 

It is the little things we seek to be praised and appreciated for. I heard a powerful thought on a podcast recently with Sara Ban Breathnach, she was talking about how if we are created in God’s image, then He too yearns for praise and appreciation, (this was an aha for me) for us to notice the little gifts he grants us daily. He wants us to find wonder and possibility in every single day. To have gratitude for all that is given. 

This Easter I want you to ask yourself and your family—What can we do this Easter to bring our family together to celebrate and rejoice in His name, to remember the truth of the season, to be grateful for the colors, for the spring blooms that are beginning to pop out of the earth, to look up into the beautiful sky and see the hues, the warm sun, the colors that are echoed in the details of Easter. There are so many little details that Easter brings, tiny designs etched in lace, the chocolate bunnies that take us back to our childhood, the textures of grass gently tucked into a sacred basket, small eggs in a multitude of colors to remind us of the new birth of spring, a new day. 

A Easter Bunny may not seem appropriate for such a special holiday, but if we can see the symbol in a new light, a beloved creature that gathers details of a new day, a blessed day that is a gift from a God that loves us, as a reminder of His love, then we can embrace this cotton-tailed friend and see it in a new perspective…of Love, Wonder, Delight and a special offering to remind us of Him. We can then take this special reminder and give thanks and praise in all we do. 

So here are some additional ideas to gather your family together and make this Easter even more special…

Resurrection Eggs: Last Easter we did the story of Benjamin’s Box and had a hunt for resurrection eggs. It was a very special story tied into the special eggs. My family loved it! You can either make the eggs yourself (scripture quotes with small symbolic things held within a plastic egg–there are a variety of versions. Just google “Resurrection Eggs” & find one that suits your family) or there are also pre-done eggs you can buy (Amazon has a set by FamilyLife Publishing for $12.99)

Legend of the Sand Dollar: This year I am going to read The Legend of the Sand Dollar since we found many sand dollars along the coast this past summer.  I have not read the story, but I will let you know how it is once I receive it. It is an Inspirational Story of Hope for Easter. Bought it on Amazon along with a basket of sand dollars that I am going to give to my nieces and nephews after sharing the story. 

Easter Lily: gather your family around and explain the meaning behind the Easter Lily. There are many stories associated with the Easter Lily: One says the shape of the Easter Lily looks like a trumpet shape and is a symbol of God the Father calling his Son Jesus home. Another story said these Lilies were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ’s agony. It is said that the lilies sprung up where drops of Christ’s sweat fell to the ground in his final hours of sorrow. 

One personal interesting fact—this summer on our trip along the Oregon Coast down to the Redwoods we came across fields where the largest producers of Easter Lilies were grown. It was amazing, miles and miles of fields that then reached up into the forests of the mighty Redwood trees, filled with towering Cathedrals, protective boughs, breath taking silence and then you came out of the forest into a town that was dark, felt ugly and held one of California’s prisons. It was like polar opposites—Beauty, Light, Peace, Cathedral trees into a dark, ugly land.  Interesting.

Have a special meal: If you have a family tradition, then enjoy it. BUT, don’t be afraid to go out. Last year we were not home for Easter, so we enjoyed a beautiful brunch at a local restaurant. At first I couldn’t believe what we were doing, but I was happily surprised to see families together, some dressed up in their Easter best, enjoying their time together. We enjoyed every minute and every yummy, little detail.  The best detail—being together.

Spend part of the day in service: Serve Easter dinner at a homeless shelter, make cookies and share them with an elderly home, make fun, decorated, edible eggs and hand them out to the homeless, give an Easter Lily to someone who is elderly or in a home because of the symbolic hope and life it brings, maybe you can take someone who is alone a special Easter meal, have your child make a special Easter gift to give to her teachers at church & school. Make handmade Easter cards and send them to friends and family. 

Resurrection Cookies: I came across this recipe idea, so I thought I would add the idea for anyone interested in making them with your kids or making them and giving them as a special gift to someone.  Here is the link: http://www.motherhoodonadime.com/kids/resurrection-cookies-printable-recipe/

Make a Easter gratitude tree: I usually do this around Thanksgiving, but Easter would work too. Make or purchase a wire tree that you can hang the small, colorful wood eggs on. Have each member of your family pick a few of their favorite colors & with a small sharpie write something they are grateful for—a beautiful gift they can praise and appreciate for Easter. Gather everyone around and have them share each one before putting them on the tree.

Dress it up & remember: Usually Easter involves new spring dresses and new ties, so make sure you take a special moment with your family, find a beautiful spot in your home or yard and take a picture to remember the moment.  Then give every member of your family a piece of cardboard & have them write down 3-5 things that either symbolize them at this point in their life, a personal motto or quote or things they are grateful for. Have them write them down, decorate the cardboard & take single pictures of each person. You will see them & what was important to them at this point in their life. It will be a fun memory to cherish.

“For I remember it is Easter morn, and life and love and peace are all new born.”            -Alice Freeman Palmer

I hope you enjoyed these ideas. I hope they get you thinking of things you could do to make this Easter memorable. Have a beautiful weekend with your families.  -Heather

Let go of the FEAR

Published on by goforthegood11 Comment

Image

Fear can keep us up all night long, but faith makes one fine pillow.                                  -Phillip Gulley

My little girl woke up in the middle of the night frustrated, tired and immobile in her determination to not listen to any type of reason, to understand her feelings, or to talk about what was truly going on in her young mind. She has always been a wild thing, free in her choices, stubborn in her will and determined in all that she is. I wouldn’t change her because there is so much I admire–I love her spark, her sass, her leader mentality, but there are times when you hit it square on and you are the opposing side and you find yourself unable to talk her off a high point. That is where you find yourself dealing with fears and worry head on! I desperately try to put myself in her shoes to try and understand what she is thinking, why she breaks into emotional tears or why she holds on to a negative situation with an unyielding spirit. It scares me sometimes, but then I try to find the love, to break through the anger with a hug that can almost break the spell. She may fight back, but then you hold that love like a wounded bird that is trying to break free. You know if you hold on long enough, it will realize you are trying to do your best to take care of its needs. She will then emotionally break, her will allows the fears and worry to be free & she gives in to the love that is given.

My daughter has had a lot of anxiety, fear and worry weighing on her little mind lately. She is afraid of the possibility of moving, her best friend just moved away, her beloved teacher is leaving for the rest of the year, the homework she doesn’t understand…her fears may seem small, but to her they are as big as anything we can fathom. Lately I have been trying to read and understand what, if anything, I can do to make her journey a little easier, to ease her anxiety and worry, to set aside the fear and bring peace to her in any way. Last night was no exception. She was worn down, tired, but in a negative place, constantly saying no to any loving suggestion to help her return to sleep. I finally had her jump our my bed & told her we needed to let her worries float away. I suggested we watch a darling youtube video that did just that.  Me, my husband and our little girl laid in bed and watched SOULPANCAKE: Pop your Problems http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcHXiBdyt94  it was a darling example of letting your worries go. We all felt better when it was over. Thanks SoulPancake!!

Here are some other ideas for letting go of worries:

Understand your amazing brain: Watch Jill Bolte Taylor (Harvard expert on the brain experiences a stroke & what she learned from it–amazing). I listened to her talk to Oprah about the part of our brain that is in charge of language, self talk, all ego—she described a peanut size part of the brain is what causes negative chatter & how we need to remember that you can change your thought in a second. You cannot have a negative and a positive thought at the same time, so switch it!! WOW. Aha.

Let it go: Pop it! (like SoulPancake) or set it ablaze. Write down your worries, fears or frustrations, make a fire in your backyard fire pit or picnic area and throw your worries into the fire and allow the smoke to take them away.

Talk about it: Talking about concerns helps take some of the power out of the negative feelings. If you talk about your worries, fears and anxieties it can become less powerful.

Write it down: Write your feelings of worry and fear down in a journal. Get your thoughts out onto paper to help you sort out your feelings, so you can begin to understand.

Walk your talk: In some situations you may need to walk yourself through a fear or worry. You may need to replay over and over in your mind, “I can do this” or “I will be okay.”

Walk or run it out: Exercise is always a good solution to help rid any type of stress, including worry and anxiety. Take a walk, go for a run, get some type of movement that will increase your feel good endorphins and give you a natural boost.

Relax: different relaxation techniques like visualization  help in any situation. A good visualization: Imagine yourself floating along a still lake with your arms spread out, floating on the water and you look up to the blue sky—let go of every worry. Focus on the float. Quiet your mind in some type of relaxation, whether its visualization, meditation or prayer.

Breathe deeply: When you are in the midst of stress, anxiety, fear or worry your body tenses and we often hold our breath or begin to breathe faster. Take a deep breathe. Begin to slow your breath and allow the worries to fade as you breathe out…letting go.

The reality: understand that most of your fears are just a product that your thoughts create. (thoughts that are generated from that peanut size part of your brain). Decide and make a conscious choice—what thoughts will I follow and believe are real. Where is your focus? Is it real or fear based.

Face it: What could you do today to face a fear or conquer a worry that you hold on to? I came across a fun site of someone who was facing a fear every day for a month. Each day they would do something that scared or challenged them on a personal level. What did they learn??  as soon as you go ahead and face a fear–it vanishes. Fear just cannot stand in the light of your confidence and go beyond it. It gets scared. (personal-development-is-fun.com) I thought that was a great reality.

Remember the good: Stress and worry are not all bad. There are times when they push us to make necessary changes in our life. This is when stress and anxiety are healthy and beneficial. Remember—there is always something good held in everything we do. There is always something to help us learn and grow. Have faith in that!

Hope these tips will help.

Have a beautiful weekend.  -Heather

THANK YOU Bloggers!!

Published on by goforthegood1Leave a comment

ImageI just wanted to send out a quick THANK YOU for taking the time to read. Yesterday I was having a blue moment and needed a moment of grace. After I wrote my blog post yesterday (Looking for the gift of grace) I began organizing my home (in case we need to move) and came across some old life lists and journal entries that made my heart sink a bit. I was feeling a very deep sense of not making much of a difference, not feeling valued and experiencing a blue cloud moment. I stopped everything and began to pray. I prayed to feel worth, that someone was listening, that I am doing something of value. I looked at my phone & asked God to PLEASE have someone who liked my blog today.  I opened up my emails and had ten people appreciate my blog post. That may not seem like much, but for me it was a highlight of my day. A Silver Lining Moment! I began to weep and appreciated the small gift of grace. 

THANK YOU for taking the time. It does matter.

-Genuine thanks, Heather

-image from KimberlyTaylor images

A Beautiful time of year

Published on by goforthegood1Leave a comment

PaperSnowflakeChristmas – that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance.  It may weave a spell of nostalgia.  Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance – a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.  ~Augusta E. Rundel

 The first of December seems to bring a feeling of JOY, a season of giving, many moments of happy hearts. I thought it would be fitting to include some fun ideas to make the season bright. enJOY!
I will be following up in the next few days to spread some holiday cheer, stories, and ideas to make the holiday season a very happy place to be. Happy Holidays!! It is officially that time of year!

The Beginning 

Somehow, not only for Christmas, But all the long year through, The joy that you give to others, Is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing, The poor and lonely and sad, The more of your heart’s possessing, Returns to you glad. 

–John Greenleaf Whittier

St. Nicholas

There are many tales to be told of the original St. Nicholas, he was orphaned at a young age because his parents died. Though they left him a considerable inheritance, he was still alone, so with this money he was well-known for his generosity to children, which then led to the stories and legends of Santa Claus.

One such story told of three young girls whose father could not afford to take care of them and was about to sell them into prostitution. St. Nicholas secretly brought bags of gold to the man’s home so the girls would not have to be sold into such a lifestyle. The father was very grateful for the generous act.

Santa Claus began with many Myths and many countries, different names and changing costumes to arrive at the gift giving beliefs of today. But probably the closest traditions began in several European countries when the children would put their shoes in front of the fire place to get warm and the next morning the shoes would be filled with candy and small toys. They would sing songs and leave a carrot or hay for the horse who would accompany St. Nicholas during the night. In the Netherlands a loud knock on the front door would tell the family that “Sinterklaas” had arrived. Outside the door would be a bag of gifts on the doorstep.

Over time many things have changed from the humble beginnings of a Saint who was trying to help children, but we are grateful that the tradition of giving during the holiday season that has stood the test of time.

Thank you St. Nicholas.

Christmas is that time of year where the magic is seemingly everywhere. People are at their best and kindness and love seem to spread through the kind words and good deeds shared.

At our house Christmas means many things…finding the balance between the baby Jesus and commercial Santa Claus with his spirit of giving. I have heard many things from people who only give three gifts (like the ones baby Jesus received) to all out package riots and Christmas is done in ten minutes.

So, how do we find a balance between the spirit of giving and remembering the reason for the season? We do our best. We learn, we spread love and we enjoy every moment.

The Magic

The Magic of Christmas has to be one of my favorite things…with the flying reindeer, the star of bethlehem, the stories, the fables, the magic elves, the symbolism within the season, the cookies and milk…everything. Everything is a good place to start!

But let’s begin with some wonderful things you can ‘SERVE’ for the holiday season.

Anytime

-Deliver a special treat to someone who needs a little sunshine…go on a ‘cinnamon stroll’ and deliver a couple of cinnamon rolls to elderly neighbors for their morning meal, deliver a inspirational story with a plate of cookies, drop off a bag of bird seed and the Night Tree Story (under stories) to spread love.

-Help a sibling or friend to read a book, do a math problem, homework, etc.

-Pick up trash while out on a family walk

-Bring in your neighbor’s trash cans

-Write someone you love or appreciate a nice note

-Take a thank you note to each one of your child’s teachers at school

-Give something to say thank you to the people who are at your child’s school cross walks

-Provide a foster home for a needy pet waiting to be adopted

-Go to a local senior center and offer your services to play games, read books, just talk

-Take items to your local animal shelter…cat and dog food, clean towels and blankets, toys…

-Are there any low-income preschools or housing facilities in your community–

find out if they need toys, play equipment, dress-ups, bikes, socks, coats, etc.

-Offer to babysit free of charge for a working mother, busy parents of a disabled child, or a

couple who has their hands full of little ones—let them go out on a much needed date night.

-Find out if your local church organizations have humanitarian needs that need to be met

(ie: First aid kits, hygiene kits, newborn care items, school supplies, etc—there is a need–ASK)

-Collect all your spare change for a few months & then donate it to a good cause

-Donate blood

-go to http://www.volunteermatch.org & type in your zip code to find local volunteer opportunities

-Find a local organization that helps–Foster Care Foundations, Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, go to http://www.hospitalsoup.com to find local hospitals that need help & Volunteer

Service for one another in your family

-Helper’s Hints—On slips of paper, have kids write or draw a picture of a way to serve each

family member. Then place the slips in a decorated shoebox. For example, kids might

write, “Make Mom’s bed,” “Give a hug,” or “Do the dishes.” Each morning kids can choose a

slip of paper and use the “hint” to serve someone that day. Periodically have kids come up

with new ideas to add to their boxes at home.-Help a sibling or friend to read a book, do a math problem, homework, etc.

-Celebrate the love–Challenge everyone to complete one act of kindness for each family member during the week.

-Legacy Love Letter—write a loving note to express the many reasons you are grateful for someone in your life.

-No Whining! Have a whine free week(or day) together. Make a promise that each of you will work to not complain about homework, going to ballet, soccer, etc. Happily. Happily we go.

-Do something to help around the house without being asked—yard work, windows, etc

-Love notes—write a little love note and leave it in your child’s lunch, their mirror, your mom’s

computer, your dad’s car…a little note left somewhere to remind them they are loved.

-Turn off the television and talk…share highlights, help make dinner together…

Winter

-Find out about local charities and find out if they need holiday help (ie: Foster Care may need help gathering gifts, Medical center may have a “festival of trees”, Sub-for-Santa, etc)

-Take someone a Christmas or Thanksgiving meal (elderly neighbor, less fortunate family, someone you work with that needs a little help, a single mom/dad who works, etc)

-12 Days of Dinners—This is a great substitute for the 12 days of Christmas. Do you know anyone who is struggling during this economic time, surprise them with dinners.

-Shovel an elderly neighbor’s driveway or walkway

-Donate your old coats to a shelter,Take blankets to the homeless shelter or transition house

-Decorate a small tree & take it to a lonely elderly individual, include a holiday cd of music, maybe something baked, a warm blanket, hot cocoa, a fun bag of ‘holiday must haves’

-Pick one or two people to do the twelve days of Christmas

-Decorate a tree in your yard, a park or the mountains that is for the animals—include: orange slices, birdseed pinecones, cranberries, string of popcorn, & make it a special tradition for your family. (Read Eve Bunting’s Book)

-Volunteer to do a fun holiday craft or special event with a local senior center

–Take hotcocoa to people working out in cold conditions—ie: light festivals, carriages, ice rink, bell ringer…

-Drop off hand warmers to people working fast food & are at a window all day in the cold.

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. ~Janice Maeditere

 
Published on by goforthegood1Leave a comment

“When I was five years old my mom always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy.” They told me I didn’t understand the assignment and I told them they didn’t understand life.”              -quote I found in google

I love this quote. You can just imagine this happening as a young child. I think as we grow into adults we forget some of the most important ingredients of a good life…things that make us laugh, being around people who bring us joy, finding time for play, loving the little things. There are many things that make us happy, so we should seek to find these things in all we do.

Being HAPPY is what we should always desire as we grow up. Cheers to happiness!

Do something that brings a little happiness your way today.