The Year nears it end and as I look out the window I see two people walking down the street hand and hand, I can't hear what they are saying, but than I hear her laugh. You can tell by the way they are laughing and talking that they are enjoying each other company. They don't have a worry in the world. They are just happy being together. You can tell they are not rich, and I have seen these two before going from garbage can to garbage can collecting cans and placing them in what looks like a Wal-Mart shopping cart, but on this day they are not doing that, today they are with each other there is nothing in the world that can change that happiness that they are having at that moment, because they know tomorrow that they have to get money for their cans so they can survive...but today is not that day...Today is all about them...Today they walk in peace.
I see people and I just stand and observe, the back door to the apartment I live at has many people walking up and down the street, this is where I smoke and I see people come and go from the apartment, walking up and down the street and people collecting cans and whatever from the garbage can. This year I have seen people and the world around much different than years past. I feel like that these people have shown me what life is all about and what to do with my life. How can one do that by just looking and observing and people and other things around them, that is no simple question for me to answer; but I can say through out my life on earth I could and still can do that and what I have observed and learned about the people and other things around me has made me who I am. It is a great gift to learn from all these elements and we are on this earth learn from others and the other things around us. I am glad that I can see that; I know many people can't do that; so I am great-full that I can.
Another year is almost in the book again and Christmas and Yule is near and this is the season not to give and to receive but to care for all the people and of course them animals are just as important. I see people rushing buying this and that and having a stressful time at it. Every year I see this, people always in a rush to get it done and having huge amount of stress doing it. I never could understand that; why don't people just slow down and enjoy the season, to enjoy the adventure of shopping. To say thanks to everyone around them and not just family and friends. Have you said Hi or talked to strangers or people you don't know. Have you done that to your bus driver, your cashier or a stranger at the store. I do that all year, but this year take some extra time to get to know these people more; oh I don't mean a detail information ask them how they are doing, what they are doing for the holidays and no matter how bad your day is always smile.
This year has been harder for a lot of people the economy to me has not gotten much better and there are many people without jobs this year, on this holiday put that aside for a while and give thanks to what you do have and not what you don't have and praise that you are a live and well and spend that time with your spouse, family or friends and thank them for being that someone special to you. Life is not perfect and there are people worse off than us, No matter what you religion pray to whoever you pray to that these less fortunate people than us can have a much better year and that something special remarkable will happen in their lives and that whatever they are going through will disappear and never come back. If we all do that this year I believe that the holidays and the coming year will be better for them, us, and the world.
Getting back to my introduction, it amazes me people that are less fortunate us seem to be happier or they seem to in what I have observe and I hope this next year we as the people of this world can take what ever is dished to us and still be happy no matter what happens.
I want to wish everyone this holiday season a Merry Yule and Christmas and a Happy New Year. 2012 is going to be the best year for everyone. Have a awesome time and remember to be happy and smile all the time...As the song says..."Don't Worry Be Happy" Until next time have the greatest of holidays and may your New Year bring you happiness and joy that you have never had.
Blessed Be to all my family, friends and for all them people that I don't know yet.
Dale AKA Jale
Monday, December 19, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Kid's Favorite Time of the Year and Some Adults
Well it is that time of year again my favorite of all the holidays and yes I am talking about Samhain/Halloween, kids wait all year for this holiday. The costumes, the candy and the gatherings have during this time of year is so great. Goblins, Witches, Skeletons and the superstitions of black cats is so great. The carving of pumpkins and the lighting of candles are just a few thing that happens in the month of October; but do you really know the true meaning of Samhain or better known as Halloween?
But there’s a deeper spiritual meaning that underlies the holiday for Pagans and real Witches—those who follow earth-based Goddess traditions that predate Christianity. As we in the northern hemisphere move into the time of cold and the dark of winter, we celebrate our New Year, and honor both death and regeneration.
In Northern Europe, Samhain (the Celtic term for Halloween, pronounced sow-in as in ‘sour’) was the time when the cattle were moved from the summer pastures to winter shelter. It was the end of the growing season, the end of harvest, a time of thanksgiving, when the ancestors and the spirits of the beloved dead would return home to share in the feast. Death did not sever one’s connections with the community. People would leave offerings of food and drink for their loved ones, and set out candles to light their way home. Those traditions gave us many of our present day customs. Now we set out jack-o-lanterns and give offerings of candy to children—who are, after all, the ancestors returning in new forms.
Death and regeneration are always linked in Goddess thealogy. Birth, growth, death and renewal are a cycle that plays over and over again through natural systems and human lives. Embracing this cycle, we don’t need to fear death, but instead can see it as a stage of life and a gateway to some new form of being.
So Samhain is a time to remember and honor those who have died, to celebrate their lives and appreciate their gifts, to tell stories about them to the next generation so their memory will not be lost. In Latino cultures, Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead on November 2, is a time to visit the graves of loved ones, to feast there and honor their memory with altars and prayers. We set up altars in our homes, with pictures and mementos, and in my house, we like to invite friends and family to an ancestor dinner, where we cook traditional foods and share our family stories.
Samhain is also a time for deep spiritual work. At this time of year, we say, “the veil is thin that divides the worlds, the seen from the unseen, the day to day from the mysteries.” In San Francisco, the Reclaiming tradition of Wicca sponsors a big public ritual, where we celebrate the renewal and creativity that emerges from the dark, with elaborate altars, dance, music, culminating in a spiral danced by more than a thousand people that honors the energies of rebirth and renewal.
Halloween, and our traditions, are much misunderstood. This year, when you hand out candy or shepherd your children through the streets, we invite you to remember the deeper meaning of the holiday: that death is no barrier to love, and every ending brings a new beginning.
So this take a little time out of your day and think of the real meaning and I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday and remember not to eat to much candy.
From your friend Jale
In Northern Europe, Samhain (the Celtic term for Halloween, pronounced sow-in as in ‘sour’) was the time when the cattle were moved from the summer pastures to winter shelter. It was the end of the growing season, the end of harvest, a time of thanksgiving, when the ancestors and the spirits of the beloved dead would return home to share in the feast. Death did not sever one’s connections with the community. People would leave offerings of food and drink for their loved ones, and set out candles to light their way home. Those traditions gave us many of our present day customs. Now we set out jack-o-lanterns and give offerings of candy to children—who are, after all, the ancestors returning in new forms.
Death and regeneration are always linked in Goddess thealogy. Birth, growth, death and renewal are a cycle that plays over and over again through natural systems and human lives. Embracing this cycle, we don’t need to fear death, but instead can see it as a stage of life and a gateway to some new form of being.
So Samhain is a time to remember and honor those who have died, to celebrate their lives and appreciate their gifts, to tell stories about them to the next generation so their memory will not be lost. In Latino cultures, Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead on November 2, is a time to visit the graves of loved ones, to feast there and honor their memory with altars and prayers. We set up altars in our homes, with pictures and mementos, and in my house, we like to invite friends and family to an ancestor dinner, where we cook traditional foods and share our family stories.
Samhain is also a time for deep spiritual work. At this time of year, we say, “the veil is thin that divides the worlds, the seen from the unseen, the day to day from the mysteries.” In San Francisco, the Reclaiming tradition of Wicca sponsors a big public ritual, where we celebrate the renewal and creativity that emerges from the dark, with elaborate altars, dance, music, culminating in a spiral danced by more than a thousand people that honors the energies of rebirth and renewal.
Halloween, and our traditions, are much misunderstood. This year, when you hand out candy or shepherd your children through the streets, we invite you to remember the deeper meaning of the holiday: that death is no barrier to love, and every ending brings a new beginning.
So this take a little time out of your day and think of the real meaning and I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday and remember not to eat to much candy.
From your friend Jale
What a Year It Has Been
The year has been a interesting one to say the least has had some ups and downs, but overall been a great year and can't wait to see what next year brings. It has been almost a year since I last posted a blog on here and for all my fans that follow me I am sorry and I going to try and write more to the blog the rest of this year and next year. Samhain or Halloween depending what religion you are and the Fall and cold weather has followed this year, well for where I am anyway. I do love the fall season and wish it would stay till spring just skip winter, I can wish right? I plan to write more and everything so be warned I will be very active on my blog in the months and the next year. Love to hear from you all more this year also. Anyway in April of this year I received my Associate degree in Networking Administration so it is official I an a Geek and have the paper to prove it. I am currently enrolled in the Bachelors program and if things go good should have that degree next summer sometime. I am looking for a job and planning to do some certifications in the next few months so wish me luck. Overall the last year has been good. I am still living with Mom till I can get a job and my own place so that is what I want to work on next year and do some more writing. I plan to write some Wiccan blogs and other blogs in the coming months so stay tuned. The year as I said has been busy with school and other life issues, and did get another place with my Mom last month; it was cheaper and bigger and said what the heck. I hate moving. The holidays are coming up, with Samhain and Halloween I am excited, well it is my favorite holiday. I want to wish everyone a Safe and Happy Samhain and Halloween. I am taking suggestions this year on topics so let me know what you like me to blog about. I did add my webpage to this blog and hope to have more and better things for the blog in the months to come. Everyone have a great week.
Jale
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)