Here in America, New Year’s Eve celebrations usually end with ringing in the new year amid songs, laughter, fireworks and the dropping of the ball in New York Times Square. There are exceptions as with any rule. In addition, this tradition does not hold true around the world. There are some weird traditions going on somewhere tonight, even in America!
Christmas is a time of celebration. The reasons for this celebration differ from person to person, place to place. Everyone in the world is not of the same belief thus Christmas time holds personal meanings varying from culture to culture. A common thread, however, seems to be the festiveness of the season, which permeates the air with cheer, wonder and amazement.
Whether you are celebrating a secular or a religious Christmas, catnip wishes you a season of happiness, joyful times with family and friends. Sharing precious moments together is more important than any tangible Christmas present. Anything man-made can be destroyed by man. It is tangible. Love and good will from the heart moves with the spirit. It is intangible.
As you move about with the season, spread good cheer but also be mindful of those whose Christmas may not be reminiscent of joy. There are those who are less fortunate, homeless, down-trodden, depressed and suffering. Be aware that some people can find Christmas a difficult time, especially in cases where a loved one is ill, there are family problems or a loved one has died. Do your best to comfort them while including them in your good wishes for better times in the future.
Christmas is indeed a time of giving. Unfortunately, commercialism has taken away some of the true joy of Christmas. We hustle and bustle, fight the crowds, stake out the best sales, still overspend and all for what reason? More presents? More, more, more…. Instead, do something generous in the spirit of spreading joy and kindness, beauty and love. Give to someone who has, better yet, expects nothing. Cook for those who barely have enough food for the family, visit someone in a nursing home, volunteer at a homeless shelter, help with a toy or food drive. The possibilities are endless. Give of your time from the heart!
For many, Christmas is filled with tradition—Christmas caroling, watching Charlie Brown’s Christmas, reflecting on Christmases past, creating homemade gifts, baking Christmas cookies, decorating the tree, hanging Christmas stockings, wrapping presents, enjoying Dad’s special Egg Nog (or not!), waiting impatiently for Santa, and so much more.
Whatever your traditions may be, Embrace the Past…
Toys ‘n Things
When it came to holidays
Mama had everything under control
Baking cookies, wrapping presents
Even decorating the hall
Christmas Eve kept everyone busy
The house full of holiday cheer
Papa and Jimmy left at daybreak
On the hunt for the perfect deer
We’d wake up Christmas morning
Feeling the keen sense of surprise
Excitement in our hearts
The minute we opened our eyes
Still in our pajamas, hair all a muss
We stretched, yawned, still half asleep
Out of bed before Mama and Papa
We managed a sneaky little peek
Catching sunbeams through the open window
Were the branches of a scrawny little tree
Underneath were handmade toys ‘n’ things
The most thankful sight we ever did see
©2010 Remembering
Sharla Lee Shults
“Christmas is for giving, being thankful and giving from the heart.” ~SLS
Upon occasion, catnipoflife features postings (usually Scooped) from her sister site Awakenings. What is seen (read) here at catnip represents only a teaser to hopefully warrant a trip on over to the other site. For those who may not be familiar with Awakenings, it was birthed before catnipoflife on November 18, 2011.
Awakenings is a message to and for America, our country, your land and my land. A message of sacrifice, a message for freedom, a message for those who have served in the past, presently serve, or will serve our military forces in the future. The blog, Awakenings, is a direct connection to my book, Awakenings from Then ’til Now.
To read my first ever blogpost, click HERE.
It begins something like this…
This is my first experience with blogger. Um-m-m-m-m? Strange word this blogger. So, let’s make it a little more interesting: Best Location On Getting Garbled Energies Revived! Haven’t we all at some point in time felt totally garbled: jumbled, unclear, hazy, confused? Don’t our energies need a new awakening?
Happy 2nd Anniversary, Awakenings!
90, 930 Hits to Date! 344 Blogposts
Thank you to all my visitors and followers, my virtual family!
YOU are why I am still here!
God Bless America!
See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond
ENJOY Ice Cream Day
Check out ‘What your fav. flav. says about you!‘
“I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!” Shout this mantra from the rooftops, because today IS National Ice Cream Day!
See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com
See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond
Awakenings: Happy 4th of July
The American flag: Wave it proudly!
An icon of American freedom, a symbol of liberty, a motif referring to the United States, a banner for independence––
all symbolize America and the principles upon which she stands. Small flags are displayed on holidays, i.e., Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Presidents’ Day, Flag Day, and of course, on today’s special day, Independence Day. American flags also proudly displayed beside war memorials and next to the graves of U.S. war veterans. They are flown at public buildings and it is not uncommon to find full-size flags flying in the yards of private homes.
We live in America, we rejoice in America’s freedoms, and today we celebrate America’s independence!
See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com
See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond
Countdown: 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 to Happy 4th of July!
One day away from the Fourth of July celebration! Yep! It is tomorrow! As you continue to prepare for the festivities of Independence Day, keep in mind many of our service men and women are stationed on foreign shores where celebration may not be the topic of the hour. They are the defenders of our nation ensuring that the freedom obtained centuries ago remains in tact.
FEATURED VIDEO at Awakenings – Remember me! and MUSIC “For Freedom” by Avalon.
Having a loved one deployed for lengthy periods of time is tough, but it’s especially hard during any holiday. While you might be reveling in backyard BBQs, listening to patriotic music and of course, enjoying the grand finale, fireworks, the day may not be so entertaining for everyone. For those defending our independence, the red, white and blue they carry on this day may only be in their hearts.
See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com
See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond
Countdown: 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 to Happy 4th of July!
Day after tomorrow we will be celebrating the 4th of July. Whew! Seems like just yesterday and we were celebrating Christmas…well, maybe not that far back but time does seem to fly by all too quickly!
Go to Awakenings. As you watch the video and listen to the words of Red Skelton, keep in mind this was produced in the year 1969!
See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com
See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond
Countdown: 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 to Happy 4th of July!
Here we are four days away from the 4th of July. Topic for today: Music. Got to have music at a Fourth of July celebration! Of course, a plethora of songs can be found most befitting to this holiday.
But, one stands out over all the rest. . .
Awakenings features two renditions that will knock your socks off: 7 yr-old Rhema Marvanne and Star Spangled Banner- Music video from AmericaTheBeautiful.com!
See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com
catnipoflife 