Select Videos, Winter Solstice Inspirations
In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. Albert Camus Each month, Succeed and Soar shares short videos chosen to lift the heart and spirit, awareness and humanity. Saturday, December 21, 2024, the Sun paused its southward journey across the Tropic of Capricorn’s stars. After a moment, the Sun reversed course. For Earth’s northern lands, the Winter Solstice finished the year’s longest night. For the next six months, sunlit days lengthen. Insights on this celestial turning point include, May you find peace in the promise of the solstice night, that each day forward is blessed with more light. That the cycle of nature, unbroken and true, brings faith to your soul and well-being to you. Rejoice in the darkness, in the silence find rest, and may the days that follow be abundantly blessed. — Unknown Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost. — J.R.R. Tolkien These encouragements join others beautifully presented in Renewal, my newest, inspirational book offered below. Following are short videos presenting different solstice traditions. Joyous holidays! Blessings, best wishes and enjoy the featured and accompanying videos below. Sandra Gould Ford Presenting art to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thing and inspire. Comment Click Here to View. Unexpected Origins of Christmas Traditions 3 MinutesAlso see Winter Solstice in Cree [Native American] Tradition. 1 minute How to Play Dreidel, a Hannukah Game, 1 minute 30 seconds History of Yule Log, 3 minutes, Journals Record your dreams, hopes, plans and achievements in these beautiful, inspiring notebooks. Details: 6” x 8, spiral notebook 120 pages, ruled on both sides Art printed on front Cover is thick paper stock. Back cover is medium gray Inside front and back covers have pockets for storing extra paper and pens View All Notebooks Thanks for shopping!
Einstein # 13: Things we get for free
Sometimes one pays the most for the things one gets for nothing. – Albert Einstein Once upon a time, the lovely and speedy Princess Atalanta agreed to marry any man who could outrun her. After all worthy suitors failed, a young man arrived who wanted the pretty princess, not her kingdom. Each time Atalanta passed him, he tossed a golden apple. Each time, the nimble young lady gathered the precious fruit then regained her lead. As they approached the finish line and Atalanta raced ahead, the young man threw his last apple. In catching it, Atalanta lost the race and her single status. Perhaps another tale would better match this week’s Einstein wisdom, but I use any means to remind myself that freebies can be costly. Einstein’s words also made me wonder if – as the saying suggests – the best things in life are free. Can you think of any free ‘best things?’ Love came to mind, but it requires fidelity. Friendship costs time and caring. With Earth Day on April 22nd, I accept that a price must be paid to keep our water clean, air fresh and land beautiful. Here are 10 ways to help, including how to attract hummingbirds. *** Earth has a bit of a bulge at its waistline. Our planet’s circumference at the equator is larger than anywhere else. At the equator, you would weigh less than at the North or South Poles. People [everything] at the equator is spinning around the planet at about 1,000 miles per hour while at the poles, there’s almost no movement. Read more Facts About Earth.
Einstein # 12: The Difference Between Clever and Wise
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein I can’t add to Einstein’s words but want to share that this is International Dark Sky Week. It encourages us to enjoy starry skies and reduce light pollution. This week, those who rise before the sun can see the crescent skim Saturn, then Jupiter, backed by the constellation Capricorn. Read more. Since 2002, the third Thursday in April has been National High-Five Day. It began when students at the University of Virginia gave away lemonade and happy hand slaps. BTW, the High Five uplifted the earlier ‘low five,’ also called “slip-slapping”, “slapping the plank” and “soul shake” Read more. Whether by clever means or wise, succeed and soar enjoy high-fiving folks Thursday and star gaze all week … always! Shop “Hydrangea,” this week’s Featured Art. Blessings & best wishes. Ramadan This week’s new crescent launches Ramadan. These thirty days are best known for prayer and fasting, when Muslims eat and drink nothing from daybreak to nightfall. As a month that focuses on the inner life, these four weeks and two days offer much to any spiritual practice. Gossip and arguments are avoided. Patience, compassion, mercy, forgiveness and gratitude are highlighted. What a wonderful way. This year, Ramadan starts at sundown, Monday, April 12. Read more. Photo Credit: PNGTree.com