Retrospect, Gratitude and a Happy New Year

Alas, we have arrived at that pivotal time when we review the various events that took place this year and evaluate how they affected us. We cannot brood over how tough our storms were, but celebrate just how miraculous we navigated through them. When you think about those times you felt like you were in the eye of a tornado, remember how God turned the situation into a gentle breeze. When you think about the torrential rains and dark clouds that filled many of your days, remember how you watched as the sun broke through those clouds and the rain turned into a soothing shower. When you think about your life being shaken up like a violent earthquake reaching the highest range on the Richter scale, remember that you weren’t crushed to death by falling through the cracks.

Last year, I challenged readers to create a “Gratitude or Thankful Journal” for each day of the year. The objective of a Gratitude Journal is to keep thankfulness in perspective. You must write at least one entry in your journal every day, no matter how you feel. That’s at least 365 reasons why you are grateful each year. You could be thankful for good health, an unexpected gift someone gave you, a raise on your job, grateful that you didn’t get into an accident while driving to and from your destination, or that God kept you and your family safe and sound. You could also be thankful for the opportunity to get another step closer towards your goals.

In retrospect, we think about the past and adopt new ways to make things better. In gratitude, we live passionately, with purpose and continue dancing to the music even when no music is playing. For a happy new year, we adjust our attitudes to be an asset, instead of a liability, to humanity.

With continued peace and abundant prosperity, always celebrate life with your head held high, love in your heart and a song to continue dancing to. Happy New Year everyone!

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Happy Kwanzaa!

Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday about the festival of the first harvest of the crops. It begins on December 26, and lasts for seven days. The name Kwanzaa, sometimes spelled Kwanza, comes from a phrase which means "first fruits" in Swahili, an East African language. It was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga and first celebrated in 1966 - 1967. Each day is focused on Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles.

Nguzo Saba (Social and Spiritual Principles)

1. UMOJA (UNITY) (oo-MOE-jah)
2. KUJICHAGULIA (SELF DETERMINATION) (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah)
3. UJIMA (COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY) (oo-JEE-mah)
4. UJAMAA (COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS) (oo-JAH-mah)
5. NIA (PURPOSE) (nee-AH)
6. KUUMBA (CREATIVITY) (koo-OOM-bah)
7. IMANI (FAITH) (ee-MAH-nee)

Happy Kwanzaa everyone!

Why is Christmas Time So Stressful?

Every year I watch television shows and read articles giving tips on how to avoid being stressed out during the Christmas holiday season. Yes, this is a very busy time of the year, especially in retail. For years, the topic continues to address practical ways to de-stress yourself during the holidays. This opinion piece will not give you a step-by-step list of things to do in order to avoid getting stressed out during the Christmas season. In fact, if we are still discussing this, then we just aren’t getting it.

Somehow, we have gotten wrapped up and trapped into the commercialism of what we made Christmas to be. Our focus is diverted from the true reason why we commemorate such a monumental Holy holiday. When I watch people camp outside of stores in the early morning hours of Black Friday for advertised door busters, and in some situations, a few people start fighting over a sale item, I wonder if it is really worth it. Honestly, I do not think it is.

I celebrate Christmas throughout the year and not just in that 24-hour time span on December 25th. Every day I give praise and commemorate the birth and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Every day, I try to practice peace on earth and goodwill towards everyone with diligence. When I want to buy a gift for someone, I do not need to wait for a special occasion to do so.

During Christmas, we see tons of reenactments of the manger scene. That scene should be indelibly imprinted in our minds, hearts and behavior. If it is, we will truly understand the concept of humbleness and live each day in the spirit of Christmas. When you see a manger scene, is there something about that scene that makes you stressed? I do not know about you, but for me I am reminded that it is not about me, but “for” me. The calm of this scene makes me realize that we are serving a greater purpose than the typical stressed induced frenzy we get trapped into during this time of the year.

There are some gifts I would really like to receive for Christmas, but money can’t buy them. The jovialness and love I received from family and friends who have passed away cannot be wrapped in a cute little package and tucked under the Christmas tree. I miss my mother dearly, and I remember how she painstakingly decorated the Christmas tree every year, as if she was competing in a contest. I hold on to those wonderful memories of my mother and other close family members and friends who are gone. Since it’s impossible to have them here for Christmas, they are wrapped in a spectacular gift box in my memory. As I look at those family members and friends I love dearly who are still here, I cherish their priceless love.

So when we sing, “Oh Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining…” try looking up from time to time at night and see that the stars continue to shine brightly. Try not to be hellacious throughout the year and make the peace that we sing about on Christmas, be our mantra every day. Why is Christmas time so stressful? It isn’t. We allow the nonessentials to induce stress. If we could embrace every day with that Christmas spirit we lovingly capture during this time of the year, then we would not have to worry about being stressed out at all.

Merry Christmas! Be safe out there and celebrate responsibly.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Celebrate Life!

"It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone." — Rose Kennedy

I do not wait for a designated time to celebrate the gift of life! I do not wait until a death occurs, to appreciate life. There is not a day that goes by where I do not thank God for blessing me with the breath of life.

There are certain memories during the Christmas season, as well as other holidays, that take us to a gloomy place. Many people were here this time last year, but are not this year. There is a constant void left in our hearts of loved ones we miss dearly that could never be replaced. As we look at the way our lives have changed through tragedy, pain, health challenges, abuse or financial difficulty, we try to hold on to a sense of hope by strengthening our faith. We may be bruised, but we are not broken.

In the hustle and bustle of our lives, we have to stop frequently and breathe. Although we cannot change the events of the past, we have the ability to change our attitudes when approaching the possibilities of the future. We must inhale a newness of life every day and exhale the toxins of distress.

Today, find something to smile about even if your heart is aching. We may not be able to erase those memories of sadness, but we can intensify our pursuit of happiness! Celebrate life!

www.kymgmoore.com

Encouraging Quote

"One can never consent to creep, when one feels an impulse to soar"
- Helen Keller

December is AIDS Awareness Month

AIDS Awareness Month begins each year with World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. It is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) pandemic, caused by the spread of HIV infection. HIV( Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is transmitted through direct contact of a mucous membrane or the bloodstream with a bodily fluid containing HIV, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk The awareness campaign is commemorated with events around the world.

Did you know that an estimated 56,300 Americans are infected with HIV each year? Were you aware that approximately 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS?

To learn more about HIV/AIDS, please visit http://www.aids.gov/. Thank you. Peace & Blessings Always!

Celebrating Advent and Hanukkah

This is the first week we are celebrating Advent and the second day of Hanukkah.
Advent (meaning “arrival” or “coming”) is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. It celebrates the revelation of God in Christ where all of creation will be reconciled to God. There are four Sundays in Advent and the primary sanctuary color has historically been purple.


Hanukkah is a Jewish festival celebrated for eight days and nights, marking the rededication to Judaism of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 BC. It is celebrated by the kindling of eight lights. Hanukkah starts on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, and lasts for eight days. Kislev is the Hebrew month corresponding to November – December.