Easter Time
Easter is the time for holidays, festivals and a time for giving chocolate Easter eggs.
The first eggs given at Easter were birds eggs. These eggs were painted in bright colours to give them further meaning as a gift.
As chocolate became more wide spread in the 20th Century, a chocolate version of the traditional painted egg was developed. The size of the chocolate egg has grown over the years and is now more likely to be the size of an ostrich egg rather than a small birds egg.
But Easter means much more….
Easter is the oldest and the most important Christian Festival, the celebration of the death and coming to life again of Jesus Christ. For Christians, the dawn of Easter Sunday with its message of new life is the high point of the Christian year.
Quote:
“There is so much in the world for us all if we only have the eyes to see it, and the heart to love it, and the hand to gather it ourselves…Lucy Maud Montogomery” (1874-19-42)
The Newness of spring.
Rosa our new addition (11 weeks). Watching her soaking up the newness of everything with pure fascination and pleasure, stimulates me to see the world with fresh eyes. Looking out across the landscape noticing the changes. Taking in the sounds and the scents of spring. Be curious like a puppy. Curiosity allows possibilities. It keeps you fresh. It validates our existence.
JD-P
Welcome to 2012.
As we say goodbye to 2011 and welcome in 2012 what does this mean to us as individuals? Did you set any new year resolutions for the year ahead? January already at its end February already here, time unaware of its own existence or its value. We all seem to be focused on what’s next or what’s passed us by and miss out on the now. We seem to be creatures of productivity, doing rather than being, just being somehow not enough. Mindfulness promotes the being in the moment and reduces effects of stress, worry and anxiety. Why Mindfulness? What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops — at all –
And sweetest — in the Gale — is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb — of Me.
Dickinson often identifies the robin with singing, this is one of the places where she links that singing to her concept of “Hope.”
How do you perceive this time of year as our winter draws in ? does it fill you with hope for what is to come, give you an energy for the coming year ? or do you hibernate , shut down till the warmer weather ?
JDP
STORY TELLING
The one who listens is exposed to the impact of the tale. It is possible for your whole life to be changed by a story at a crucial time by someone who you respect and trust. The effect of a story not only counts on its content but also in its timing and above all dependent on the relationship between teller and listener.
Within your mind’s eye imagine two people sitting near one another. One is telling a story the other is listening. In the space between story teller and listener images will arise. Characters will be created; both people will see the story but both will also see their own story. The power of words extends beyond the power of content it also has the power of repeated usage, of association and of intent.
What has been the impact of the stories you hear? Told to you in your role at work, by family or friends.
JDP
