Let's Go Celebrate Christmas!

Christmas is coming!

Many children and adults are already doing a countdown to one of the biggest celebrations of the year. This holiday casts its own magic on people. Somehow people seem nicer, happier, more giving and forgiving. We should remember that there is no Christmas without Christ, he is indeed the reason for the season.

In our own household, we are lucky to renew our joy in Christmas through the fresh eyes of a babe. As we introduce our youngest family member to the customs and traditions we have for this holiday season, we can't help but be excited all over again!

The Christmas tree is up and decorated, the presents are getting wrapped and even the baking is in full swing. We can't seem to get enough of Food for the Gods, a favourite holiday sweet! We smile and feel the love sent our way through the Christmas cards and letters in the mail.

However you plan to spend this special occasion, do remember that the spirit of giving is not just expressed by material presents. We can give our time and talents to help others, give cheer to the old and lonely, and make someone happy by remembering them. So go and celebrate, give thanks for all your blessings and keep the real meaning of Christmas alive. Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas!

Let's Go Find Some Passion!

Hah, gotcha there!

Nope, this is not an x-rated article but some rambling thoughts on my journey to finding myself. One would think that having time is all it takes to discover what you really want to do. This year gave me more time to think things over and maybe discover a new career but I must say that I still have not found "it."
 

I have started on the domestic route, trying to tap my inner housewife skills. I loved to bake and decorate cakes years ago and tried to see if I could get into this again. My first test was decorating a cake using fondant icing. Though it was fun and enjoyable to make, I don't think I will  make a career of it. So cross that off the list!

Being a writer is another thing I thought I was passionate about. I was all fueled-up working on my Info Barrel articles at first. Then I had a brain drain and seems that my efforts haven't reached the $10.00 mark yet. I haven't given up, but it sure sucks that my almost finished book is lost in cyber limbo and I don't know how to get it back. I will revisit this endeavor another time when I am in a better mood to start from scratch!

In the recent years, I had discovered that I did enjoy creating personal home movies. Meeting the technical challenges was satisfying and getting good feedback from friends and family was heartening. I should make a note to self to explore this further and replace a stolen video cam in the process.

At present, I am trying my hand at sewing and surprisingly finding myself fairly good at  it. Is this "the" passion I am looking for? Will this be my new career? It is too soon to tell but it sure is fun going to my lessons and finding something that I am good at. Maybe this is one piece of the puzzle and I have to continue on my journey to find the other pieces.

I did learn that in the journey to find one's passion, you have to take risks: financial, emotional, physical, etc. and really throw yourself into the trying stage. And take everything with a grain of salt. It does hurt to know you are not the greatest at something but at least you know you tried. And get some humour out of it by laughing at yourself. Someone did say that laughter is the best medicine!

My search for passion is still very much alive. Maybe someone can give me a boost or send some suggestions my way. I am willing to give reasonable ideas a try. So what are you waiting for? Maybe you will be the one to help me complete the puzzle!

Let's Go Give Thanks!

Canadian Thanksgiving Day is around the corner and this is the perfect time to take some quiet time and be thankful for all the blessings in our life. When we are busy with all the routines of the day, dealing with problems and stress, we forget that we are still luckier than most.

On a global perspective, let us be thankful if our country is not in the midst of a war or environmental disaster. Go one step further than just praying for victims, do something to help them by donating or volunteering for a worthy cause.

On a national level, be thankful if you live in a country where there is freedom to exercise your rights, where education is available to many and work is possible to find. No country is perfect and there are still many things that need to be improved. Do your part and actively support those who work for the good of the people.

On the homefront, surely there are many more things we can be thankful for. The health of each family member, the food that we eat, the clothes we wear, the friends we have and specially the love that we share with each other. Children can squabble among themselves and realtives can have their little spats but it is important to remember the ties that bind us to one another.

Finally, on a personal level, I know I still have many blessings to be thankful for despite the many challenges the year has brought. I give thanks for my family and the love and understanding they give to me, I give thanks for the time I have to discover myself, I give thanks for the new friends I made and the chance to re-connect with old friends. The chance to laugh and cry and feel and pray.

To You, I give thanks!