Our lives begin to end, the day we become silent about things that matter.
~ Martin Luther King
This time of the year is filled with so many holidays that focus on honouring our past and reflection on our future. I try to use the month of November in a conscious way and use these days to help me to show my respect and focus on a better future.
On November 1st All Saint's Day is celebrated, the day after Halloween, and is often referred to as All Hallow's Day. It has a special place in my heart, as it is the birthday of a late friend of mine who changed my life for the better. This day is to honour all Saints known or unknown and is a reason to have a delicious feast.
On November 2nd, All Soul's Day, is celebrated to honour those
that have left us. It is typically a Catholic or Christian practice, though as with most of my own version of my personal faith, I have learned to adapt the parts that work for me and ignore those pieces that do not fit. This day is the day for quiet reflection, and I have adopted the ritual of the Spanish to toss roses into the sea in memory of those I miss.
On November 5th, Guy Fox Day or Bonfire Night in the UK
is a day that celebrates the failed mission in 1605 of blowing up Parliament and killing the King. The plot was a result of suppression and non-tolerance which is still obvious today both in the UK as well as throughout the globe unfortunately. I feel this is especially important to help us to stay focused on what we want to change in the world today so to not repeat the mistakes of the past.
On November
8th, there were elections taking place in the USA. As we still wait for the final results, it is essential to understand that we have the right to vote for our leaders in a democratic manner and this is a gift. As we await the final results of the newly elected officials it is my hope that we will start to ponder the need for better ways to be in this together versus against each other. We do more together than apart.
Alas, we are here, today, November 11th, which is Veteran's Day or otherwise known as Armistice Day. It is a day to honour and remember the military veterans in the USA. It was created on 11 November 1919 to honour the victory from WW1. It is especially pertinent to me this year as a reminder that we need to respect, honour and fight for our political freedom, world peace and economic stability. We honour those that have fallen for us in pursuit of this, and today it is
just as much our fight as theirs all those years ago. And it is a reminder that peace is fragile, and we need to make sure to not repeat the errors of the past but carve a new path, a better one, going forward.
Finally there is my favourite holiday, THANKSGIVING, coming up on 24 November. I am full of gratitude to be able to be sharing it with part of my family again after many years without this
opportunity.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
~ Melody Beatie
I am very THANKFUL for all of
you, for my life, my family and my health. This year I have had the chance to change more things for the better and help many of you do the same.
Things change by choice, not chance. What will you do going forward that your future self will thank you for?
Do you need some HELP to make your HOME a safe haven and a place to honour yourself and
your family? I am here to help!
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