WYSIWYG

What You See Is What You Get. This is a journal blog, an explore-blog, a bit of this and that blog. Sharing where the mood takes me. Perhaps it will take you too.

MenoSundays; Life Lived Lovingly

A BLESSED AND PEACEFUL DAY EVERYONE!!!
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Before going into the 25th day of holiday fun post, let me show off some cards received  😄














Okay that's enough. Let's get serious for a bit. This is to be the last on the Blogville bloghop for the 25 days of fun. The idea was to share different traditions or family habits and favourite things for this time of year.  

It would be remiss of me, however, if I did not make reference to the capital 'ell' Love which drives this particular column. It is the basis of Christmas anyway, and at the root of my own 'tradition'.

Historically, I come from a family which declared agnosticism, yet engaged in all the trimmings and trappings of the commercial Christmas. [NB; much of what is 'celebrated' in homes is based on non-Christian practice - read this post for a little more on this.] When I declared my love and faith in Jesus and the desire to keep Christmas as a sacred day, it caused a bit of a stir. Once I moved to Australia and was living life alone, it was no trouble to honour this spiritual need. Festivity was still acknowledged, but did not dominate.

Things expanded when Vedanta entered life. Whilst declaring myself as Hindu these days, it still encompasses Love of Christ, who is strongly acknowledged as a great teacher and saint within the Eastern tradition. I declare here that the learning gained from Vedanta and Sanskrit have actually enlarged and strengthened my understanding of Yeshu's teachings and increased the bond, not at all weakened it, with that Lord. This is why it is not as strange as you may think that I do in fact celebrate Christmas.

My day starts, as always, with prayers and chanting. On this day there will be the addition of puja - sitting before the altar and performing a service of worship. Everyone I know will be included in the embrace of Love at that time.

Then, if it is fine weather, a walk for half an hour or so. If not, stretches and yoga inside. Next, brunch... most likely involving eggs or porridge, fruit and lots of tea. For Christmas I may bring in muffins or crumpets. For the main meal, I will make a coconut curry of some description - or go the veggie sausage, nut roast and roast veg route. Some extras, such as cheese and biccies and other nibblies will be permitted. There will be reading and there will be an indulgence in whatever may be good on the telly... and there will be watching of the movies I treated myself to this year (Star Trek Beyond; A Dog Named Christmas).



😃

In many respects it will not differ too much from my every day, because I am in the fortunate position now of holding every day as sacred. Christmas though (as Easter after it) will be acknowledged, for all the appropriate reasons... but also as the time of year when we remember and share with those we love, through hugs, food... and maybe a parcel or two.

It only remains to say that I hope you have had/will have a most enjoyable day, in whatever way you choose to celebrate and that you find, somewhere within it, time for an acknowledgement of Love - with that capital 'ell'!

Now then... this started out with the idea of being a bloghop.  However, I have had trouble with the code when attempting to place it here (it's to do with the https thingy), so I will link you to our hosts, Dory and co, where you can follow the links to see the previous 24 posts!

NB: This post has been pre-scheduled, so not all cards will necessarily have made into the piccies - but rest assured they are all stored safely and I feel very lucky - thank you one and all!




13 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas YAM-Aunty, and we are wishing you some walk-friendly weather.
    Toodle pip and cheers!
    Bertie and Gail.

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    1. Hari OM
      And to you my dears!!! Enjoy HGY and treats and walkies.. it has been WILD up here and more heavy wind to come - but mild. I do hope there will be a window in the morning to at least go down to the water and back. Anyway, it will be good either way!
      Have fun darlings!!! Huggies, Yxx

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  2. Dearest Aunty Yam, wishing you a very Happy Christmas
    And a Christmas walkies sounds like the pawfect day to me
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  3. Merry Christmas, dear Yam Aunty. It sounds like you are going to have a peaceful celebration.

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  4. Merry Christmas and I'm one who is a pagan and can get something out of most beliefs.
    The last part of Dickens Christmas Carol always spoke to me...Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.

    He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever afterwards; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!

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    Replies
    1. Hari OM
      What a wonderful quote Dora - thank you so much for it!!! Yxx

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  5. Merry Christmas... I had no clue that Christmas wrote a book....wow that's impressing :o)

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  6. Merry Christmas from us here in Norway. And we are so happy you got yourself that film about Christmas. We love it and have seen it several times now. A very good choice!

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  7. Merry Christmas Evening to you
    Sis and BIL just left a bit ago and we are catching up.
    We love how you displayed your cards very festive way to brighten up winter.
    Hugs madi and mom

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  8. Merry Christmas to you! My path has been the opposite of yours. Now, agnosticism is central to us but we still believe in sharing love and appreciating our friends and family on this day.

    I hope that you had a wonderful day.

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  9. Such a beautiful post and perfect to wrap up the 25 Days...Thank you Yamini, for being the loving you that you are!

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  10. Dear YAM-Aunty, What a grrreat post. Dogs don't usually pray a lot or perform puja, but all dogs know how to love. And I woofy-love you.
    Your furend in Vancouver,
    Louis Dog Armstrong

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  11. Sounds like you had a great day planned to celebrate the remembrance of The Birth. blessings to you, YAM. janice xx

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