“Happiness is always there. You just have to choose to see it. There’s no point dwelling in the dark and ignoring the light of the stars.”
― Carrie Hope Fletcher
Happiness is There
Fun and Easy Ways to Shine Your Light: Learn About Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa begins today and ends on January 1st. If you are not familiar with Kwanzaa it was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor of African Studies at California State University, Long Beach to reaffirm and restore African culture. This year marks the 50th year of Celebrating Kwanzaa which is a cultural holiday, not a religious one and is practiced by Africans of all faiths.
The name Kwanzaa means first fruits is a celebration of strong values of African culture. Candles are lit of each night for the seven principles.
The seven Principles celebrated during Kwanzaa are:
- Umoja (Unity)
- Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
- Nia (Purpose)
- Kuumba (Creativity)
- Imani (Faith)
There is significance to all the elements of the traditional celebration so I suggest you check out the resources for this article beginning with the Official Kwanzaa Website.
I include Kwanzaa as a light holiday because of the candle lighting and the strong cultural principles celebrated. Isn’t the end the year and beginning a new one a good time to reflect on the meaning of cultural values and traditions?
Resources:
Living Christmas
Merry Christmas! But let’s stop for just a minute and think about what would happen if we actually lived Christmas.
What if instead of having a wild party every December full of over spending and over indulging, we actually lived what we say the season really means to us? What if family really were the most important thing in our lives, every day? What if peace, hope, love and light were the reality we walked in? What if we welcomed the Christ Presence into the world and into our lives every minute of every day, instead of just once a year? How would the world change if we could recognize the Christ in others?
This year let us dedicate ourselves to letting there be Christmas everywhere, every day, every hour and every minute by keeping that Christ light shining in, through and as us. This is how we change the world folks. Peace and blessings to you.
Jesus the Light of the World
Thought for Today
“Each time a person passes by you and you say ‘hello’, imagine that person turning into a candle. The more positivity, love and light you reflect, the more light is mirrored your way. Sharing beautiful hellos is the quickest way to earn spiritual brownie points. You should start seeing hellos as small declarations of faith. Every time you say hello to a stranger, your heart acknowledges over and over again that we are all family.”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem
Thought for Today
“We cannot please all men but we can be a blessing to many.”
Fun and Easy Ways to Shine Your Light on the Shortest Day of the Year
Have you ever wondered about the difference between an equinox and a solstice?
According to the National Weather Service an equinox is one of the “two times of the year when the Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in a “nearly” equal amount of daylight and darkness at all latitudes.” The Equinoxes occur in the Spring (Vernal) and Autumn (Autumnal).
A solstice occurs “at the moment the earth’s tilt toward from the sun is at a maximum. Therefore, on the day of the summer solstice, the sun appears at its highest elevation with a noontime position that changes very little for several days before and after the summer solstice… The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. ”
So on this day, December 21, 2017 we are experiencing the shortest day and longest night of the year. Is it any wonder so many cultures and religious traditions celebrate light during this season?
Winter Solstice is observed as a Pagan Holiday with ritual and celebration involving light, including bonfires. We know that our own celebration of Christmas includes traditions and practices “borrowed” from other cultures and religions. So on this shortest day and longest night of the year it seems fitting to at least take a few moments to stop and reflect on the light that shines in the darkness no matter what your religious or spiritual beliefs. Light a candle, or a bonfire or set out luminaria along your driveway, hang lights on you house, put a great big smile on your face and let that light shine!
Resources:
Holidays and Traditions Around the Winter Solstice
Celebrating Winter Solstice as a Christian Family
Have Yourself a Healthy Little Holdiay — Free Book
Today (Dec. 20) only my holiday e-book Have Yourself a Healthy Little Holiday is available free in the Amazon Kindle Store. Please help yourself to a copy and tell your friends, especially those with food restrictions.
If you have read the book please consider leaving an honest review at Amazon.com. Remember to mention you received a free copy in your review.
Still Christmas shopping? While you are there click on my name and take a look at my other books which are regular price today.
Thank you and wishing everyone a happy and healthy little holiday!
Thought for Today
“Goodness works in mysterious ways. Even in the deepest dark, you’ll find a light to shine your way through.”
― Melissa de la Cruz, Return to the Isle of the Lost
Thought for Today
“Dragonflies are reminders that we are light and we can reflect light in powerful ways if we choose to do so.”
― Robyn Nola
espirational.com 