Sunday 28 December 2014

New Year around the World



Denmark: In Denmark, residents keep a pile of dishes, all broken, in front of the door. For this they save old dishes and people usually throw these on the friends doors during New YearThis symbolizes friendship and brotherhood and they believe the one with the maximum dishes outside, has the most friends. Some Danish are found to leap over some chairs during midnight.

China: The Chinese have a unique way of celebrating New Year, where every front door of a house is painted in red which symbolizes happiness and good fortune. They hide all the knives for the day so that no one cuts oneself, because that may actually cut the entire family's good luck for the coming year. 

Brazil: Brazilians believe that lentils signify wealth and prosperity. So they serve food items made up of the legume like soup or rice. On New Year’s Eve, the priestesses dress up in blue and white for an auspicious ceremony celebrated for the water goddess. Also a sacrificial boat filled with jewellery, candles and flowers from the beach of Rio de Janeiro is pushed to the ocean that brings health, wealth and happiness for them.


Greece: they call it St. Basil's Day, one of the forefathers of the Greeks Church, because it is also celebrated as his death anniversary. They bake some special bread, where a coin is buried inside the dough. The procedure of serving the bread is very unique. They offer the first slice to God, second to the bread winner of the house, and the third is meant for the house. If this one contains the coin, spring will hit early that year. Also whoever gets the slice with the coin, is supposed to be blessed with extra good luck.

Wales: In Wales, during midnight, at the initial toll, the back door of the house is first opened and then immediately shut. This symbolizes releasing the old year and locking out all the bad luck it brought. At the 12th toll of the clock, the door is re-opened to welcome the New Year will all its goodness, luck and prosperity.

Japan: Japanese New Year or Oshogatsu is meant for celebrations with the family and it begins with proper decoration of the home to welcome luck and fortune. They clean the entire house, get themselves off from every financial liability, and resolve all issues before the New Year hits. They follow traditions of three things: a pine branch, called kadomatsu, denotes longevity; a stalk of bamboo symbolizes prosperity, whereas a plum blossom shows nobility. Before the clock strikes 12, they ring 108 bells to show that all 108 troubles have been eliminated. 

Philippines: They believe that every round thing is auspicious. So they consume grapes, have coins, wear polka dotted dresses, as they have faith that circular things attract more fortune and money. They also throw coins as New Year begins to increase wealth and prosperity.

Spain: The Spanish, eat 12 grapes at every toll of the clock during the New Year. This they believe will bring good luck and happiness for the coming 12 months.

Puerto Rico: People throw buckets of water out of their window and also clean their homes properly. This they believe will clean the odds of the last year as well as get the spirits out of the home.

The Netherlands: Christmas trees are burnt on bonfires on  New Year's Eve, on streets, by the Dutch. This purges out the old and greets the new.

Chile: people go for mass in the New Year . 

Rome: The celebrations last for three days where the people decorate their houses with greenery and colourful lights, they choose gifts for their loved ones very carefully like gold, silver, for prosperity, honey for sweetness etc.

United States: They believe kissing during midnight, as the year approaches, is an auspicious gesture that purifies everything that is evil.


Austria: Austrians find good luck charm in suckling pigs. They serve it on the dinner table with edible pigs and then peppermint ice creams are served as desserts, for fortune.

German: Lead is considered to be auspicious here. They pour molten lead into cold water and the shape that is taken after, predicts the future. Heart shapes symbolize marriage whereas round shapes denote good luck; anchor shapes tell that you need help however a cross signifies someone’s sad demise.

Belgium: They call the New Year Eve, Saint Sylvester Eve. They believe in throwing family parties, where everyone kisses, exchanges fortune greetings and also toast  the New Year in. 

New Year

Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you have always wanted to do but could not find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you do not think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You will look 10 years younger. Do not be afraid to say, I love you. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.

Ann Landers

Saturday 27 December 2014

Native American Proverbs


"Tell me a fact and I’ll learn. Tell me a truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever." 


Children learn from what they see. We need to set an example of truth and action.


"Tell me and I'll forget. Show me and I may not remember. Involve me and I'll understand".


One does not sell the land people walk on.


"Even a small mouse has anger".


When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money.




Sunday 14 December 2014

Every day is Christmas

Every day is Christmas
when you have the kind of mind,
That stores up all the goodness
and the sweetness it can find
When you don't need an occasion,
to spread a bit of cheer,
But just keep on a-giving,
of yourself throughout the year

Every day is Christmas,
with a gaily wrapped surprise,
When you stop to see the friendship,
in someone else's eyes.
When you try a little harder,
and complain a little less,
Holding fast to all the fervor
of the faith that you possess

Every day is Christmas,
when you've found that you can be
More concerned with words like "you"
and less with "I" and "me".
When it's fun to do a favour,
and to lend a helping a hand,
When being understood means less,
than when you understand

Every day is Christmas,
with a beauty deeply cast,
When you find it doesn't matter,
if you're first or if you're last
When you can face your conscience,
and be glad of what you are,
Then every day is Christmas,
with a stable and  star.

Friday 12 December 2014

Christmas Bells


I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Merry Christmas


Merry Christmas to friends!
Merry Christmas to foes!
The world's bright with joy, so
Forget all your woes.
The earth's full of beauty, of
Love and good cheer.
Merry Christmas to all and a
Happy New Year!

Christmas




Every time a hand reaches out
To help another....that is Christmas
Every time someone puts anger aside
And strives for understanding
That is Christmas 
Every time people forget their differences
And realize their love for each other
That is Christmas 
May this Christmas bring us
Closer to the spirit of human understanding
Closer to the blessing of peace! 

Saturday 6 December 2014

Twinkies and root beer

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. The man was sitting in the park just feeding some pigeons.
The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.
The man gratefully accepted it and smiled at boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer.
Again, the man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the man, and gave him a hug. The man gave him his biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?
"He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? God's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the elderly man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked," Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added," You know, he's much younger than I expected."
People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
Embrace all equally!

The things children say