Happy Chinese New Year!

Today, January 29, 2025 ~ just one month after the Universal New Year arrived ~ the Chinese New Year begins. This Year of the Snake calls for careful planning of goals and desires as it promises success and positive transformation.

Today also welcomes the New Moon in Aquarius, the first new moon of the year.

And let’s not forget the spectacular Cosmic Parade of 7 Planets (Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Mercury) that’ll be going on until the last week in February.  

Most of these planets (Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) can be seen with the naked eye. So don’t miss out. Go out and witness this dramatic event. Experience the wonder and excitement that only the universe can deliver.

This is an event that won’t happen again until the year 2492. So, as these celestial planets put on this dramatic cosmic dance for us, take advantage of it.

• Align your thoughts and deepest desires with inspired actions just as the planets are aligned.

• Take the time on tonight’s New Moon to release the old habits that no longer serve you.

• Set your intentions for what you want to show up in your life for the new cycle.

Happy manifesting! 

You couldn’t ask for a better time to do so!

BE WILLING TO GO FULL-CIRCLE

For years when I was a child, I would often hear people say (in total exasperation) that life took them "full-circle". They never said it in a good way, usually sounding annoyed and hinting that the 'circle' was useless and redundant. There’s nothing wrong with a circle and definitely nothing wrong with going full-circle.

Exactly what is a circle? Like everything else in life, the idea of it is a matter of perspective.

For example; to some people, a circle signifies boundaries and strength. Remember the little kid who’d start a fight by tracing a circle in the dirt and daring anyone to step into it. To him, that circle meant confidence and power. That is, until another kid saw the circle as an opportunity to prove his mettle as he answered the dare and stepped into the circle, too.

What is a circle?

It could be confirmation of the circle of life to the woman whose protective womb holds the promise of a new beginning.

A circle to some adults can mean love, security and infinity as in the symbolized shape of a wedding band. But to others, that same symbolized circle can mean limitations, unwanted boundaries and stagnation.

For me, circles signify both stillness and movement. To go full-circle gives me a sense of peace and completion; yet with a promise of continuous energy.

A journal entry I made a few years prior to my retirement describes feelings I had of coming full circle with a situation I pondered. I had just looked over the draft of a book I’d written (and ultimately designed a class I taught to teenagers) on Etiquette. Apparently, I’d also been thinking about what I would do after leaving my employer of almost 30 years. Here’s a portion of what I wrote:

“…which only serves to prove even more how forces much stronger than me are at work here. This draft wrote itself. The class taught itself.  I’m always writing, but now I feel I can’t help but write and that I will write even more when I’m retired. Humm…Writer and Author…the next chapter. I feel like I’ve come full circle because a Writer was my first self-identifier; the first thing I saw myself doing long, long ago. One of my oldest memories was of writing a poem on the way to school and feeling great.  I folded the paper with great ceremony (like little kids do with every paper they think is precious) and when I got to my seat, I placed it in the back of my desk for safekeeping until the end of the day when I’d take it home to show Mama…  I am whole. I've come full circle. I am home.”

For me, the circle signifies a path, and full-circle represents the force behind my life’s purpose to inspire others through my words.

The circle is whole.  It is universal; therefore, it’s natural. The circle is divine; therefore, it’s pure goodness. It’s never ending; so it is life. The circle is the Creator; therefore, it is all things and everything.  

There are many circles in life and the way you perceive each one is up to you.

So the next time you feel like you’re going in circles, stop, breathe, and in that universal moment, thank God for His circles.

When did you go Full-Circle and come out better than before?

Share your comments below.

HAPPY 2025!    

After bringing in the New Year, I went to bed around 1:30 a.m. with love and gratitude on my heart.

I awoke at 7 a.m., showered, completed my devotions (with a special New Year's Meditation) and began to cook breakfast. While waiting on the coffee maker to complete its cycle, I turned on the TV in the Den and that's when I saw the tragic activities that happened just overnight in New York and New Orleans.

I won't go into the details; I don't have to -- the media is taking care of that by saturating psyches of the masses with their "Breaking News" broadcasts.

Unfortunately, while the symbolic Ball of Light still shone, reflecting the happiness and hopes of millions, other souls around the world continued to show their frightened faces through heinous acts of terror. Terror, but not control. 

I saw the chaos and prayed for the many victims involved. I made note of the different ways the people of New Orleans were accepting help (money, clothes, etc.), and made my plans to do what I could for them.

Then I turned the TV to the heartwarming channel, MeTV (Memorable Television), not to ignore or downplay the horrific happenings of this morning's events, but as a choice to stay within my own nature, within my own light. 

Of course, it didn't change what happened. And it didn't stop the heartache I felt for the victims and their families, not by a long shot. But it did help me keep my perspective. It helped me to hold tight to my compassion to keep in mind that each and every person involved was a victim of some kind. It kept me on the path of gratitude and away from the road towards bitterness, anger and resentment.

So, while my heart grieved for the souls involved in this morning's tragedies, it also allowed me to laugh at The Beaver, Wally, Tom & Jerry, etc. -- my heart's way of projecting merriment into the world. 

There will always be hurt, pain, suffering and sadness. Some of which we can control, and some that we cannot. But the extent that we hold on to that pain and suffering is definitely within our control. It is completely up to us as to how we handle life.

So, on this New Year's Day:

• Be thankful for seeing the year come in along with whatever else it brings
• Be grateful, not only for the pleasant things, but for all things. If you witness it, some aspect about it is for you 
• Do what you can to help those within your grasp who need help
• Add your peace and increase World Peace by presenting the world with the gift of your light 
• Sincerely pray for the disturbed souls who live and act out of fear

And it doesn't really matter whether or not you choose to call these objectives your resolutions. Just focus less on the labels and endeavor to live life divinely inspired.

Choose to make 2025 the greatest year of your life; and it will be,

No matter what, have a 

HAPPY 2025!

CHILDERN AND STORYTELLING HIGHLIGHT FAMILY HISTORY 

Do you think family history is a bunch of dates and old, worn-out pictures of unidentified people?

Think again. Better yet, consider the following:

What's your favorite food?

Where were you born?

Who were your best elementary school friends?

What was your favorite board game when you were a kid?

Did you have an after-school job? How much did you earn?

You may have the answers to these questions, but would your children know if you asked them? What about your siblings, your cousins?

Your responses involve the past and your answers create your story, making it a part of your family's story and its history. 

If your children are aware of these things about you, CONGRATULATIONS! You're on the right track!

If not, then I ask you, what better time is there than now to perpetuate your history through them?

Storytelling has always been the best way to pass on history, and since no child can resist a good story, here're some ways to include the kids to ensure your legacy continues:   

• Reinstate traditional bedtimes to bond with your little ones. Share fact-filled memories of the fun you had with other family members. 
• Replace familiar bedtime stories with interesting tales of current relatives and ancestors. 
• Gather old photos and build stories around each one. Talk about the people in the picture and what they were doing. Discuss the time period and location of each photo.
• Encourage the kids to join in the storytelling by creating short stories of their own based on what they see in the picture.
• Write the stories down and retell them later (this creates a collection of family bedtime stories of your own - another fact to be added to your family's history). 

So you see, chronicling family history doesn't have to be hard. It doesn't have to depend on the expertise of Genealogists. Nor does it depend on pages and pages of forms to be kept by one person in one place.  

It just takes a few facts to get started and a willingness to keep it going. And it depends a great deal on the children. Through creativity and involvement, they are the key. 

So inform them, engage them. Pass on the facts, but teach them that your family history is not just names, dates and locations. It's not just about your past. Family history is about capturing the love spent in each moment; the moments that grow together to create a promising legacy for tomorrow. 

Embrace Diversity One Word at a Time

Is there someone in your school, neighborhood, or place of business who speaks a different language than you? If so, do you know how to say "hello" in their language? If you do, that's great! The next time you see them, greet them in their own language.

But if you don't know the word "hello" in another person's language, ask them to tell you. Or how about finding out yourself and surprising them with your knowledge of their language. Then

Share your knowledge.

Teach your new word to someone else. Help them learn to speak another language and communicate with someone of another nationality. And don't stop there. "Hello" is just the beginning. It's just one expression but you can easily learn more. Branch out one word at a time and you'll soon be on your way to connecting with and understanding other great cultures of our world.

In how many languages can you say "hello"?
Share your comments below.

25 Rules of Considerate Conduct

In "Choosing Civility", the popular book by Dr. P.M. Forni*, he included the 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct, listed below for your convenient review.
 
But don't just read it. Analyze each one...evaluate it, then share it. Can you think of something you'd like to add to the list? 

There are several ways you can use this list: as a personal checkup, as a school room reminder, as lessons for the little ones, or as a means to get other people involved in civil behavior. 

My personal favorite: Post the list on the refrigerator and pick one each day -- or even better, get the kids to pick one -- and use it as a topic of discussion during dinnertime. 

Whatever your particular preference, be sure to have fun with it -- fun with a civil purpose.

THE TWENTY-FIVE RULES OF CONSIDERATE CONDUCT 

1. Pay Attention
2. Acknowledge Others
3. Think the Best
4. Listen
5. Be Inclusive
6. Speak Kindly
7. Don't Speak Ill
8. Accept and Give Praise
9. Respect Even a Subtle "No"
10. Respect Others' Opinions
11. Mind Your Body
12. Be Agreeable
13. Keep It Down (and Rediscover Silence)
14. Respect Other People's Time
15. Respect Other People's Space
16. Apologize Earnestly
17. Assert Yourself
18. Avoid Personal Questions
19. Care for Your Guests
20. Be a Considerate Guest
21. Think Twice Before Asking for Favors
22. Refrain from Idle Complaints
23. Accept and Give Constructive Criticism
24. Respect the Environment and Be Gentle to Animals
25. Don't Shift Responsibility and Blame 

*Dr. Forni is co-founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project.
How do you plan to use this list? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Civility Thought of the Day - Sportsmanship

Begin a family discussion on sportsmanship. Help kids to understand the importance of being a good winner as well as how to lose gracefully. Following are thoughts that can serve as reminders for kids and adults. Read this together. Discuss it often. Post it on the frig or in the kids' room as a reminder.

A Real Winner**

When competing with others,
If you don't win
And find you're in the place
You hadn't planned to be in
The polite and courteous thing to do
Is congratulate those who competed with you
And although this is honorable and socially correct
Even better, it's a sign of your own self-respect.



The Spirit of Victors**

You may have been taught how to act when you lose
But here's an even bigger piece of news
There's a more important lesson that can be learned
By players, opponents, and all rivals concerned.
The lesson is this, and should always be
That a real victor wins respectfully.
They are pleased with themselves and show gratitude
They don't display arrogance or behavior that's rude
They consider opponents and how they might feel
And know that acting Big-headed is less than ideal
To Real Victors, a win is beyond the best score
Real Victors know winners can also be sore
So embrace the spirit like real victors ~ have fun
This way, everyone is victorious in the long run.

**Excerpts from my next book:

"Will You Help Me With My Manners, Please?"

& Other Soft Skills

The Teenager's Guide to Character Development

 

{Coming Soon}