ARCHIVES 2023
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 The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place in 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. But, before that, the ritual was known as Candlemas, a day on which Christians brought candles to church to be blessed – a sign of a source of light and warmth for winter. In parts of Europe, people believed that a sunny Candlemas meant another 40 days of cold and snow.
“Chekhov saw the long winter, bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet, winter is just a step in the cycle of life. Being here with you in the warmth of your heart, I can’t imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter.” - Phil Connors, “Groundhog Day” (the film) Affirmative prayer: Today, I recognize the truth of my being, of all beings, that pure Spirit is the essence of life in every form, every reflection, everything. I look to the brightness of this day, and welcome infinite blessings, the miracle of goodness in every season. Thank you, God, forever. Amen.
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 Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.
“Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. I rise. I rise.” - Maya Angelou Affirmative prayer: I revere the dignity of my fellow beings, my African American sisters and brothers. I believe in the power of a clear vision of equality for all humanity, and I see the greatness of all. Thank you, God, forever. Amen.  The Season for Nonviolence is a global grassroots campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the transformative power of nonviolence. The Season was established by Arun Gandhi as a yearly event celebrating the philosophies and lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. The Season marks the 64 calendar days between the memorial anniversary of the assassination of Gandhi on January 30 and King on April 4.
“Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. which cuts without wounding and ennobles the one who wields it. It is a sword that heals.” – Martin Luther King Jr. "Nonviolence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being." - Mahatma Gandhi Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, today I behold true love in the hearts and lives of my friends and my adversaries. I seek today to not make myself right and others wrong, but to see us all as whole, as expressions of the one life of God. Thank you, Spirit, forever, Amen.  A new artificial intelligence model called ChatGPT is being promoted as a new tool that will revolutionize how people work. It can write emails, essays, poetry, answer questions, and generate lines of code. The World Economic Forum estimates that, while 85 million jobs may be displaced by AI by 2025, another 97 million jobs may emerge from these changes.
“People have debated the meaning of life for thousands of years, but we cannot continue this debate indefinitely. The ecological crisis, the threat of weapons of mass-destruction, and the rise of new disruptive technologies will not allow it. Soon, we’ll have to answer the meaning-of-life question in light of these perils and power.” - Yuval Noah Harari, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century Affirmative prayer: There is only one life in the Universe. It is Infinite Intelligence – the essence of pure Spirit – and it is the reality of me and everyone on the planet. Love is its soulful substance, and it brings me a sense of purpose and meaning. I give thanks for this awareness and allow it to inspire and guide me in all my viewpoints and endeavors. Thank you, God, forever. Amen.  The rotation of Earth’s inner core may have paused and it could even go into reverse, new research suggests. But, don't worry, you won't notice a difference. “The inner core doesn’t really come to a full stop,” said Xiaodong Song of Peking University. “It just means that the inner core is now more in sync with the rest of the planet.”
“On the surface of our lives most of us build a hard shell to cover fear and insecurity and to win approval and success. When you get down to the core of yourself, you find a different, more primeval country and, in it, a deep yearning to care and connect.” – David Brooks, The Second Mountain Affirmative prayer: I give thanks for the presence of pure love and energy at the core of my being, and I recognize this same wonder-full essence in everyone I meet this day. Thank you, God, forever. Amen.  Lawmakers have reported that the U.S. government’s system for labeling and tracking classified documents appears to be broken. At least three presidents, a vice president, a secretary of state, an attorney general, and some cabinet members have all mishandled classified documents. Policies meant to control national secrets are haphazardly enforced and rely almost wholly on good faith.
“The sweetness of living comes when the flaws and secrets we regret and try to hide are worked by time into a honey all their own. Ultimately, the areas where we are not perfect – where we are broken and cracked – make up the stuff of transformation.” - Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening Affirmative prayer: I give thanks for the open heart of the Universe, and that what is known anywhere in this one, sacred Life is known everywhere. I’m grateful that the Divine’s “secrets” to living in peace and joy are unclassified. Thank you, God, forever. Amen.  Some British museums are using words other than "mummy" to describe ancient Egyptian human remains. Instead, they are adopting terms such as "mummified person," or using the individual's name to emphasize that they were once a living person.
“You may casually use the words ‘crazy’ or ‘insane’ to describe strange behavior or a wild event. But using those words in everyday speech can be hurtful to people who live with mental illness. It trivializes the affliction. Instead, consider using: ‘wild, ridiculous, or unexpected.” - Jordyn Taylor, author, referencing a report from the National Alliance on Mental Illness Affirmative prayer: Today, I am aware of the artificial separation I create with others by tagging my experiences. I cease covering up things, people, and situations with labels, allowing my connection to others to me more vivid. One life, indeed. Thank you, God, forever. Amen.  Almost 200 nations at the UN Biodiversity Summit have agreed to protect a third of the planet by 2030 in a landmark deal aimed at safeguarding the natural world and the variety of life on the planet. There will also be targets for protecting vital ecosystems such as rainforests and wetlands and the rights of indigenous peoples. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres praised the deal. "Finally, we are forging a peace pact with nature."
“Nature is held together by the energy of love.” - Deepak Chopra Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, I honor the natural world that plays host to all life, and I give thanks that the animating qualities of this landscape are within me. Thank you, God, forever. Amen.  A new study suggests that curvy, heavier stones – not just the flat ones – can actually skip quite well across water. Mathematician Ryan Palmer said, with the slightly heavier rocks, you get something called a “super elastic response." The findings won't just help us improve our rock-skipping, they can also help scientists understand the way ice forms on airplane wings.
In Greek Mythology, Atlas was a Titan who was responsible for bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders. When seeking help, he asked not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders. Affirmative prayer: Today, I see the heaviness in my life – my fears, grief, doubts – as doorways to deeper understanding and new experiences. I am inspired in ways of comfort, guidance, and confidence. Thank you, God, forever. Amen.  The International Olympic Committee have included breakdancing, surfing, skateboarding, and sports climbing for the 2024 Paris Olympics in Paris. Organizers say they want to deliver a program that is in keeping with the times and will attract a new and younger audience.
“Beware of letting current mind-sets destroy new possibilities. Remember, most new ideas seem outrageous at first. Make sure to give them breathing room.” – Roger Teel, This Life is Joy Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, I am open to newness in my life. I am available to be awakened, inspired, and enlightened. My life is an endless song, and my best music is still making itself heard. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. |