Hello! This week's episode I introduce my first real life forever boyfriend who gave me my first real life forever kiss....and so much more. After promising to spend the time sharing the 411 on the boyfriend, I spend most of that discussing some not so positive relations with my classmates. It goes on and on....
Sunday, November 27, 2022
Advent: The Coming #advent #holidayseason
advent
ˈadv(ə)nt
noun
1.) the arrival of a notable person or thing.
2.) the first season of the Church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays.
3.) the coming or second coming of Christ.
From the latin word, "adventus", advent means the coming or arrival of something great. For Christians, mostly celebrated in liturgical Christian denominations as they prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. However, those Christians outside the ecclesiastical calendar have begun also to celebrate according to their own belief. Furthermore, those outside the Christian religion, may find symbolism in the season of Advent. Those in the ecclesiastical Christian calendar that celebrate Advent faithfully spend the time in meditative preparation for the coming of Christ's birth, contemplating what that means for their belief and the world. Through practices such as the Jesse Tree, the Advent wreath, and the lighting of candles with the advent colors, purple (repentance and royalty), pink (joy and rejoicing), and white (purity and light), they teach their young to honor and keep the significance of the season.
More than just the coming of Christmas, this season to follow is representative of a variety of holiday traditions, hence, the phrase, "Happy Holidays". This holiday season culminates with the farewell to the year ending and the commencement of a new year, a new season of life for all.
Throughout the journey of my deconstruction from fundamentalist Christianity, I discovered that all religious and spiritual practice bear similar truths and import. Thus, I feel the traditional holy days of one religion can impact and influence one of another faith.
Therefore, let this Advent season be a meditative practice for us all to contemplate and prepare for the arrival of something great beneficial for us personally and collectively.
Advent Special #1: Fast, Pray, Decorate | LITTLE BY LITTLE | Fr Columba Jordan CFR
Articles used as reference:
"Coffee Chat & Book Review: Sandy Phillips Kirkham CW: #sexualabuse #cle...
In this episode, I review Sandy Phillips Kirkham's autobiography "Let Me Prey Upon You" and then have a deep conversation with her about her story, her struggles, how she overcame, and her message to others who may have been targetted.
Sandy Kirkham and her husband Bill enjoy life with their two grown children, two beautiful granddaughters and two fairly well behaved dogs. Sandy continues to use her voice to help victims of clergy abuse. She currently serves on the board of Council Against Child Abuse. Has spoken before the Ohio Senate, a Maryland court, and appeared on a local television show in Boston. Her story, “Stolen Innocence”, was told in a documentary produced by The Hope of Survivors. Sandy works with survivors conducting victim support conferences. She has participated on panels moderated by SNAP (Survivors Network Against Abusive Priest), sharing her perspective from the non-Catholic point of view. She is the author of the book “Prey Upon You” detailing her own experience of clergy abuse by her youth pastor at the age of 16.
facebook.com/KirkhamAuthor
sandyphillipskirkham.com
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Thanksgiving: The Full History & Reason To Be Grateful #truthsgiving #takesgiving
The origin story of Thanksgiving is thought to have been founded around the celebratory feast between the Separatist pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe in 1621, but this story has become less of a historical recount and more of a mythical retelling that white-washes the ramifacations that befell in the years to follow. As demonstrated in the above video, that fateful meal, lasting three whole days (imagine the food and stuffed tummies) was a tale of unity between two distinct peoples coming together to honor one each other and the tumultous rite of passage they had just endured. In its entirety the story of the first peoples of the Americas, including that of the immigrants that came from Europe, is one fraught with prejudice, death, immense struggle and suffering, and massecre.
The Separatist settlers from England were traveling from Holland to the Americas in search for a land to worship and live freely the way they believed God decreed. Leaving beyond the religous persecution in their homeland, they were seeking out a better life for themselves and future generations. When they finally landed where they would settle, not on a rock as is told, they decreed the land be called "New Plymouth" in honor of the city they had once dwelled. However, this land was once a village called "Pawtuxet" which had wiped out the first inhabitants by the plague, explained to them by the native, Samsoset, and that the Chief of the Wampanoag, Massosoit, was watching with a careful eye after having his people and neighboring tribes be destroyed horrifically by other immigrants. The pilgrims insisted on their desire for peace and offered trade as proof of this. A few days passed and Samoset returned with several others, including the infamous Tisquantum, also known as Squanto, who spoke impeccable English. Samoset and Squanto explained that Massosoit, along with his warriors, were on their way to confront these settlers. Edward Winslow approached the Chief in surrender and with Squanto by his side as interpreter they were able to appease and live peacefully. The Governor of the Separatist peoples, Thomas Bradford, and Massosoit signed a peace treaty.
As I researched for this article, I found myself reflecting on how both the Wampanoag tribe, as well as other tribes, and the Separatists were alike in that they all had experienced persecution and the threat of death. The Separatists were coming to establish a place of safety for themselves without knowing what other settlers had done to the Natives of the land. The Natives of the land had already experienced the onset of massacre through murder and plagues from previous European encounters. Squanto himself was no stranger to this persecution as his story reflects that of being kidnapped into slavery, finally being rescued by an Englishman, who taught him English, and finally being free to return to his home-tribe of Pawtuxet, finding all those he loved perished from the plague. He was brought into the Wampanoag tribe, after much debate, because he could be useful as an interpreter.
Thus, what is thought of as the First Thanksgiving (at least in the USA, as the origin of "thanksgiving" was in Canada in 1578) can be seen as one of unity, coming together despite perceived differences, of commonalities found in similar suffering and persecution.
In the years to follow, the peace treaty would remain until Squanto would attempt a mutiny against the Massosoit, who pledged to have his life taken. The Separatist people tried to have Squanto's life spared but ultimately sided with Massosoit, realizing that Squanto had committed a crime. However, the execution would not take place, because the onset of many more European settlers began to take place. These settlers, unlike the Separatists, did not continue peace with the Natives of the land but the violence and massacre worsened.
Why These Native Americans Observe A National Day Of Mourning Each Thanksgiving
Thus, for Native Americans, Thanksgiving is viewed as a Day of Mourning as they continue to fight to not have the suffering and murders of their ancestors wiped from the pages of history. Truthsgiving and Takesgiving are the names they utilize for this holiday in the final days of November.
All that to be said, why do I continue to celebrate, and the answer to that is simple, to spread the unity and gratitude founded by those at the feast in 1621, looking past differences, of which is forever needed for all people of all lands of all time.
Articles used as research in this entry:
Understanding Thanksgiving's history: Indigenous mom leads call to learn about 'Truthsgiving'
Sunday, November 20, 2022
Sinners Every One Of Us #confession #spirituality
Few things accelerate the peace process
as much as humbly admitting our own
wrongdoing and asking forgiveness.
- Lee Strobel
In the days after my leaving the church, as I stumbled through the painful path of deconstruction, I came upon the Hindu text, Srimad Bhagavatam, and read it throughout the year of 2016, some six years after my last Sunday morning church service. What I found began to soften the wound from the church's failings and afflictions, widened my appreciation for the spiritual paths of others, and quickened the path toward healing. For I discovered was that there more similarities rather than differences between the Hindu text and the Christian Bible as the phrasing of scriptures found in both seemed to reflect universal truths of a eternal connection with the divine. This realization began the process of forgiveness for the hurts left over from my fundie connections and the healing commenced. My belief suddenly revealed itself to be, if these texts reflected these similarities and other spiritual practices were alike, then perhaps the solution to my deconstruction is to reconstruct, now viewing that since many of all walks of life, religion, nationalities throughout all of time have sought something beyond understanding, there must then be universal truth. Finally, all paths do, in fact, lead to God.
Recently, I was discussing with a co-worker about one of the ways that therapy has helped in my life by giving me the desire to be radically and authentically honest. She and I discussed how most of the general public do not practice this in their day to day life and instead choose to dwell within the stories created in their mind fraught with pain easily released if one should admit and ask for clarification. However, this is easier said than done, and as my colleague pointed out, most find false protection in the barrier caused by the stories of their mind and once beaten down will leave to the afeard vulnerability. However, scary this brokenness may seem from afar, once acquired the pieces lost lend themselves toward true freedom and peace.
This discussion led me back to pondering the similarities in spiritual beliefs and how they also relate to therapeutic method. The practice of 'confession' sprang up to my mind as I began to seek out the many ways that religions and beliefs encouraged this. Although there are many differences in how to confess, nevertheless, many of the world spiritual texts, such as the Bible, the Torah, and The Quran, have verses on the importance of confessing one's sins and shortcomings. For instance, some religions, such as Catholicism believe that confession must be done in the presence of a priest, while others believe none are needed to intercede between God and self, both self alone. Furthermore, although the Christian faith teaches that confessing sins allows for God's forgiveness, the Jewish belief is not of hell or purgatory but see the act of confession as one of cleansing and purification. Within Islam, there are two forms of sinning, one against God and one against the religion, with the latter needing reconcialition and retribution to follow after the initial act of confession.
The thesaurus of Merriam Webster shares that a synonym for confession is admission:
confession:as in admission
an open declaration of something (as a fault or the commission of an offense) about oneself
a confession that he had been lying all along
Upon this revelation, I return to my earlier resolution that if all spiritual practices share similarities, adding now the process of recovery through the variety of therapy, finally there is universal truth in something beyond which aligns in unity the vast differences of those everywhere seeking for the freedom and peace found within confession.
Confession is verbal humiliation.
- Richard Sibbes
When the lie is deeper than I know
You capture me and You carry me home
You see these wounds and rescue me
You always heal things beautifully
And I close my eyes
And You can still my heart
And I call out Your name…
‘Cause You always know
You always know where to find me…
You always know
You always know where to find me…
Links & Articles Used As Research In This Entry:
Friday, November 18, 2022
Can't Catch A Break, Episode Four: Gloop! #bromance #vlog #cookingshow #...
In this episode, tired from his last two crazy episodes, Barista Nate invites a good friend over who saves the day.
Gloop Recipe:
1 Cup of Corn Starch
1 Cup of Water
Recipe Courtesy of Shannon Dudley
Play!
Theme music:
Cinematic-(middleversion)-soundside
Circus Music Classic (No copyright)
Monday, November 14, 2022
Journaling Through The Years, Ep. 56: How Do You Catch Self Confidence? ...
In this episode, I begin an entry during the second half of my freshmen year of high school, starting out by sharing the news of my first ever real-live boyfriend and then move onto my feelings of depression which I label as "lack of self confidence and self esteem", which leads to the question, "How does one become self confident?
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Can't Catch A Break, Ep 3: Open Up! #spinoff #cookingshow #vlog
Barista Nate invites his neighbor over and a co-worker to help with a family recipe, but quickly things get complicated. Will they sort themselves out or will Barista Nate be left in the mess.
Graham Cracker Brownies
1 bag of Chocolate chip cookies
1 1/2 box of graham crackers
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
Beat the graham crackers in a sealed ziploc bag, but not like Natasha!
Pour all items into a bowl, mix well.
Then, pour into a greased bowl. Bake at 325 F for 10 minutes!
Theme song: cinematic_middle version_soundside
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
No Apostrophe Needed: Veterans Day #veteransday #armisticeday #novembereleventh
If you hate the reality and idea of war, that is acceptable and understanding. If you despise the United States government's political striving in battling other countries through combat, you are not alone and this, too, is understandable. However, showing hatred or derision to one who served, a veteran, in combat and survived to tell the story is never acceptable or should be tolerated.
Veterans Day was first called Armistice Day because in 1918 on the 11th hour on the 11th day in the 11lth month the Allied forces and Germany signed the armistice. In 1919, on November 11th, Armistice Day was first celebrated through stopping all work at 11:00 am and celebrating with parades and public meetings. President Wilson declared that this day must be “filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory". Then, in 1926, the United States Congress declared the official end of World War 1 and stated that Armistice Day will henceforth be a day for thanksgiving and prayer.
Originally intended to honor the veterans of World War 1, Armistice Day was made a legal holiday on May 13th, 1938. However, a few years later, with the onset of World War 2, then also the Korean War, veterans service organizations asked Congress to rename the holiday to "Veterans Day" to honor all those who had served in every war.
Canada, Australia, and Great Britain celebrate Veterans Day as well, however, they call it "Remembrance Day". In Canada, the celebration is similar to the United States, however, in addition it is common for them to wear red poppies in honor of the soldiers fallen. In Australia, the day is more similar to Memorial Day, a day remembering the lives lost in combat. In Great Britain, the day is celebrated not on November 11th itself but on the Sunday closest to the holiday, with parades, services, and two minutes of silence.
In 1968, the Uniform Holiday Bill was signed stating that few federal holidays, such as Veterans Day, would always be celebrated on a Monday. For a brief moment in time, Veterans Day was honored on October 25, 1971, however, many were unhappy with this change. Because of this, Gerald Ford, on September 20, 1975, signed another law returning the holiday to its original date in 1978.
Articles used as reference:
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Election Day: Why Vote? #election2022 #houseofthedragon #gameofthrones #doctorwho #politics
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of the people
Who will not be slaves again!
Why are we intrigued by the political strife and machinations in such creative works as Star Wars and the Game of Thrones series and prequel? Why do our hearts swell in uprising solidarity when we hear the Les Miserables songs, One Day More and Do You Hear The People Sing? Why do we find ourselves on the edge of our seats watching the under-dog hero stand up against the power corrupt oppressor? Why do we rejoice and breathe a sigh of relief when The Doctor from BBC's Doctor Who arrives to save the day and overcome evil?
The answer lies within the truth that we relate to that which opposes our brave heroes and our desire is alike theirs in that we wish to overcome that which oppresses and threatens to overtake our rights and freedoms. It may not be as dramatic as the political strivings of the House of The Dragon plotline, but the right we are given at age 18 to vote is an entitlement we must proudly exercise, for there is none other method at present in our society of fighting for, standing up for our rights and overcoming the opposing.
Indeed, every vote matters, including your own. Furthermore, not casting your ballot is a metophorical slap in the face of those who fought even to have their voices heard. Not until 1869, with the ratification of the 15th Amendment, after the ardous, bloody battles of the Civil War, were black men afforded the right to vote, yet even that was challenged and made difficult by hurdles such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and other measures. These would continue until 1964 with the passing of the 24th amendment eliminating poll taxes followed with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which demolished the Jim Crow laws. Added to that, it was less than 100 years ago, in 1920, after long fought battles against oppression, were women given the right to vote as well.
Every time you cast your ballot you are ensuring your voice is being heard. Only by voting in EVERY election are you ensuring that your voice is being heard. With every blank hole darkened by black ink, ballot signed, and mailed you are standing together with who fought and lost their lives for your right. Allowing your voice to be heard is ensuring the continuing of the rights and security of yourself, others, and those who may continue to suffer with the marginalization of society and are in constant risk of having their rights and lives stricken from them.
Articles used as reference in this entry:
Thursday, November 3, 2022
The Room-Mate Challenge! #spinoff #explorers #lemonade
In this episode, Barista Nate allows a guest to help him with the recipe, but will it be a recipe for destruction or will it all work out?
Recipe for lemonade:
Um, uh....
Theme music:
Cinematic-(middleversion)-soundside
Circus Music Classic (No copyright)
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
All Saints/All Souls
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The ancient cultures once located in present day Mexico had their Dia De Los Muertos, along came the Catholics and Christians to incorporate those practices and create their own traditions, as per their custom. All Saints Day, originally founded by Pope Boniface IV to be on May 13th 609 AD during the dedication of the Roman Pantheon in honor of those martyred, is a day honoring the saints' of the church who made a lasting impact, canonized or not. The day was then changed to November 1st by Pope Gregory III when he dedicated a Roman chapel in St. Peter's Basilica in honor of the saints.
All Saints' Day, known as All Hallows' Day or Hallowmas, is a Holy day for many facets of Christianity, including the Roman Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, and other Protestant churches, even after the Reformation. Consequently, Halloween is known as "All Hallows' Eve" as it comes the day before. Similar to the Day of The Dead, Catholics and Christians believe there is an eternal connection between Heaven and Earth. Thus, the ultimate significance of All Saints' Day is to honor the Saints of The Church, a sacred and official holiday in Roman Catholic countries.
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If All Hallowmas is a day to remember those martyred, canonized, and exalted within the church, All Souls' Day is a day to honor those departed within the church in our personal lives. The Feast Of All Souls, as it is also referred, was originated in 998 AD on November 2nd by an abbot of the Benedict monastry in Cluny, present day France, with the directive to commerate and pray for the purging of the sins of their dearly departed and ultimate entrance into heaven. Many Protestant churches have rejected the idea of Purgatory, so thus All Souls' Day has become non-existant for many Christians. However, similar to that of Dia De Los Muertoes, if for none other reason, what a lovely way to remember and cherish those who have left our lives and departed onwards.
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Articles used as research in this entry:
The Origins and Practices of: Samhain, Día de los Muertos, and All Saints DayWho I will honor and remember on All Souls' Day, my personal Catholic Saints I have loved and who have passed on:
Grandma Margaret Ann Holcomb Brugger
Grandpa Walter Arnold Brugger
Aunt Judy Brugger (second from left)
There Is More Time Than Life: Feliz Dia De Los Muertos
The origin of Dia De Los Muertos stems back 3000 years to the rituals practiced during the Pre-Columbian Mesoameria, specifically the Aztecs and other Nahua people. They believed that death was a part of the cyclical life of the universe. Upon dying, a soul would depart first to Chicunamictlán, the Land of the Dead, while there they would travel through a several year journey dealing with nine intense levels until they reached their final resting place of Mictlán. This time of the year is also a time for harvesting, in preparation for the light being overwhelmed by the dark as that which was alive slowly descends into death. The inspiration for Dia De Los Muertos dates back to the Nahua rituals, once held in August, of providing food, water, and other supplies for their departed's journey, leading to leaving offerings on graves and home based altars called ofrendas.
The overwhelming thought of Dia De Los Muertos is that the border between the spirit world and this world has dissolved, allowing our departed loved ones to return, visiting us with much celebration as we welcome them into our homes. Within our hearts is the knowledge that those we have lost in the physical never truly leave us, always alive in our memory. Although this is ever present, during this time their presence is more significant. On the altars, 'ofrendas', families place items of signifance such as photos and artifacts of loved ones and that representing the four elements, candles or incense for fire, a cup of water, and to signify earth and air, papel picada (paper cut out designs).
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The most commonly used image related to this holiday is the Calavera, the skull, of a woman with a plumed hat. Influenced by the etchings and illustrations of the Mexican artist, José Guadalupe Posada, these calavera were critiques and political commentary of the society in which he lived, depicting different facets of his contemporary world through the skull imagery. Later, these calavera became synomous with Dia De Los Muertos.
Typically, celebrations of this holiday include dressing up in costumes and parades:
There Is More Time Than Life: Feliz Dia De Los Muertos
Articles used in this entry for research:
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