Personal Change

Season's Givings

jbloustein — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:16:46 -0600

When it comes to Christmas, I can never get enough.

The leftover Thanksgiving turkey is still in the fridge when I get all of the boxes down from the attic.

There’s the jolly Santa who belts out “Ho! Ho! Ho!” when you squeeze the toe of his boot, the ornaments shaped like shoes and purses that I use to festoon the little tree in our bedroom, the wise men for the mantel, and candles for every window. Not to mention the hand-painted nativity.

Crèches Around the World

jbloustein — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:59:38 -0600

Francis of Assisi created the first nativity scene nearly 800 years ago to help us visualize the drama and beauty of the first Christmas.

Today, the practice has spread across the globe, always as a call to remember the true reason we celebrate Christmas.

There are few Christian traditions that are more universal, more moving or that draw us so close together in common spiritual purpose.

Poinsettia Paradise

jbloustein — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:40:22 -0600

Consider the poinsettia: Originally, a wild weed native to Mexico.

A sixteenth-century curative whose sap was used by the Aztecs to control fevers. A plant so benign that were a 50-pound child to eat 500 of its leaves, he would suffer no more than a mild tummy ache, according to an Ohio State University study.

Somehow, this seemingly ordinary plant has morphed into the spirit, the very symbol, of Christmas itself. Each year Americans purchase nearly 100 million of them in the six weeks leading up to December 25.

Crèches Around the World

jbloustein — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:13:49 -0500

Vatican City, Italy

This life-sized Nativity scene and Christmas tree in the Piazza san Pietro mark the Vatican's annual Christmas celebration outside of St. Peter's Basilica. (Photo by Joe Beynon)

Mrs. Mellow's Dinner

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:32:49 -0600

Ron and I didn't know where the food would be coming from for the Thanksgiving dinner we had in mind. We were both between jobs and didn't have the money such a feast would require.

Still, about 10 days before Thanksgiving, a passage from the Bible had come loud and clear into our prayers: "But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind."

How a Wedding Dress Fulfills a Wish

jbloustein — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:28:03 -0500

Every year, thousands of terminally ill breast cancer patients get their wishes granted, thanks to a unique wedding dress-donation scheme.

Brides Against Breast Cancer sales are the signature inspirational events held by the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation at various locations across the country.

What Makes Jerry Seinfeld Smile?

jbloustein — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:23:11 -0500

Jerry Seinfeld

Where You Know Him From: Really, you have to ask? He’s the stand-up comedian who made it big on a little show called Seinfeld (1989 to 1998). He’ll join other Seinfeld stars in the series’ first-ever reunion on the HBO comedy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, this fall.

Strengthening Body and Soul

jbloustein — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:23:03 -0500

Guideposts.com offers lots of information about healthy living from veteran experts like author and nutritionist Rebecca Katz and Season 4 Biggest Loser contestant Julie Hadden to our newest authority on making positive changes, New Healthy You Contest winner, Tammie Temple.

10 Ways to Embrace Change

mcherkezian — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:09:07 -0500

“Everything must change, nothing stays the same…”

These classic lyrics, originally penned and performed by musician/songwriter Bernard Ighner in 1974, serve as a simple reminder about an undeniable truth that all of us face: change. How we respond to change is a decision.

Here are 10 ways you can be proactive rather than reactive to changes in your life.

1. Forever curious! Discover new things daily.

A Red Hot Christmas Tradition

jbloustein — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:15:27 -0500

The sight of a log blazing on a hearth is always a heartwarming one, but at Christmas time it takes on special symbolism.

During this sacred season, a Yule log’s dancing flames signify the light and the blessings that came into the world on that December day so very long ago.

That’s why the Christmas morning telecast of a brightly burning log, accompanied by traditional Christmas carols, has become such a beloved holiday tradition for millions of American families.