HARK Newsletter - December 2005 Issue

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Welcome to the HARK Monthly Spiritual Newsletter.

In this month's newsletter:
1. Inspirational quotations
2. Readers on our web site
3. The etiquette of a multi-denominational Christmas
4. GLOBAL LOVE DAY - 1st May 2006
5. and FINALLY...

1. INSPIRATIONAL QUOTATIONS:

"The true spirit of Christmas is love" Linda Willis.

"I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all year" Charles Dickens.

"Christmas isn't a season. It's a feeling" Edna Ferber

"Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most" Ruth Carter Stapleton

"Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart" Washington Irving

"Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect" Oren Arnold

2. READERS ON OUR WEB SITE

>>> Zann - NEW READER

A clairvoyant, clairaudient, clairsentient reader, who can tune in to your personal vibrations wherever you. She hears the sounds and voices of your angels or guides who help her to provide you with an accurate reading.

Read more about Zann at http://www.hark.net.au/zann.htm

>>> Melita - CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

"I would like to wish all visitors and clients of the Hark website, a Merry Xmas and a Fullfilling and Healthy New Year. I look forward to bringing Channelled insights and guidance to those seeking clarification in 2006" - Melita http://www.hark.net.au/melita.htm

>>> Leonora - NEWS

"I have some news but I'm afraid I can't tell you about it until it hits the press in Sydney in a couple of weeks. However I can tell you that Mitzy's story will be in the Psychics Directory, which will be released in January." - Leonora http://www.hark.net.au/leonora.htm

>>> Barbara - SPECIAL DEAL FOR XMAS

"I will do a free follow up reading in January for all that purchase a reading in December" - Barbara
http://www.hark.net.au/barbara.htm

>>> Clair - SPECIAL DEAL FOR XMAS

"Ask an extra question this Christmas for free. Whichever reading option you choose - ask one more question and I will answer it for free." - Clairvoyance by Clair

3. ARTICLE "The etiquette of a multi-denominational Christmas"

by Julie Hargreaves

Well, where DO you start when you are planning a Christmas dinner and your friends and relatives include a diverse group of cultures and ethnic backgrounds? From Christian to Moslem, Hindu to Krishna, Atheist to "I don't care who God is, just give me the pressies", catering alone can take on new dimensions and provide some interesting challenges.

"What will they all eat?"

This is generally the first question and probably the biggest headache, especially for the culinary challenged - I'm sure we all know someone who roasted the turkey with the plastic bag of giblets still inside! Perhaps you were that person - but don't worry, you probably didn't do much worse to it than most manufacturers had already done to get it to be "oven ready"!

"What customs and rituals should be observed?"

This is another killer question ready to trip up the unprepared host. And some people get very detailed about THEIR rituals - and I'm not talking God related one's here. What time does Santa come? Exactly how many mince pies are left out for him on Christmas eve? Which grandparents get to host Christmas dinner and who has to make do with Boxing day instead? When is the Christmas tree set up and decorated and whose turn is it to put the angel/fairy/star on top of the tree? And, the list goes on - no matter what the religious beliefs are, there is a whole raft of rituals and traditions associated with Christmas and upon which the entire success of the occasion depends. Apparently.

Now, add in the occasional vegetarian or vegan (what, you didn't know there was a difference!), jew, hindu, moslem (you can't NOT invite your in-laws because they pray differently), fadist (I only eat white bread toast with peanut butter and it has to have the crusts cut off and it has to be X brand and it has to be ....), plus a few toddlers (I'm making a castle with my mashed potatoes and this is the moat full of gravy...), alcoholic (I don't eat), very old person ("only a tiny bit for me dear", but who you know is saving room for 7 helpings of sherry trifle) and so on...

In case, you are starting to get just a tiny bit terrified with the prospects of coping with this festive season, here are a few ideas to get you started and to ensure a happy Christmas time for all.

1. Invite everyone no matter what denomination and don't get hung up on belief systems - Christmas was still Christmas before Christ came along - it just had a different name then. Call it Yuletide if it helps with denominational barriers - but you don't have to ditch your own beliefs because you have in-laws coming who are of a different faith. You can all enjoy the "community" of the occasion, which is what the spirit of Christmas is all about anyway.

2. Either check for any big NO-NO's on the food front beforehand or have "options" - like lots of different veggies, and hold back the sauces and dressings for self serve in case there are hidden ingredients on someone's NO-NO list. Variety is the key - there is bound to be something for everyone although not everyone necessarily has the same "something". And, unless you're a proficient cook/chef don't try and impress someone with their national dish - THEY know what it should taste like! As a final check - pretend that you're a diabetic vegan, with a wheat intolerance and a nut allergy and see what's left on your planned menu that you could eat!

3. Break the mould of last Christmas and do something different - dare to be creative and set your own style for this Christmas. Rituals can sometimes turn into ruts and a lot of Christmas rituals are largely about recapturing the excitement that we felt as kids, with all the glitter and sparkle, presents, sweets, Santa, eating till we were sick! You can't turn back the clock, but perhaps you're reliving it through the eyes of your own children or trying very, very, very hard to pretend that there really is a Santa Claus and he could just pop down your central heating flue or air conditioning duct at any moment!

4. It is also OK if you would just like to be on your own at Christmas, in a quiet space and self indulge in whatever way you enjoy. There is no law that says you have to be jolly and merry, join in a crowd or be crawled over by small offspring of friends or relatives. The spirit of love needs to start with yourself such as the self respect for your own space. After all, you can only give to others what you have within yourself, to give.

5. Nor do you have to feel left out - if you want to party, look for one to join in with or host your own. No point moping about and waiting for an invite - be proactive - see what's going on in your neighbourhood, see if there are any others in your area that are looking to connect. However, walking around with mistletoe glued to your head may be a bit confronting to many and anyway, they may not know it's significance if they belong to a different ethnicity, so it could be lost on them entirely.

6. Be relaxed about spirituality and religion - in general adopt an open style and encourage people to celebrate and participate within the framework of their own cultural beliefs. If they don't drink alcohol or eat meat respect their choice - and don't feel that you need to convert them in order to validate your own beliefs and lifestyle. However, don't be hypocritical about the God thing either - if you don't usually say grace before a meal - why do it now? Who are you really trying to impress? You certainly wouldn't be fooling God, nor your family! Or, are you that shallow that you need to impress strangers? Essentially - respect yourself, your beliefs, your way and respect other people's choices too.

7. Set aside a room or a quiet space away from the festivities, should some guests have a need for prayer or certain ceremonies as part of their own religious beliefs. However, a sure sign that the festivities are starting to get too raucous is when guests start "disappearing" and there is standing room only in the refuge!

8. Relax - enjoy the day and each moment. Don't get your knickers in a knot trying to do everything AND make social chit-chat. Decide whether you want to be - the chef, the waitress, the socialite or the "not present" and plan accordingly. If you want to just party, then hire in caterers or arrange a BYO function, where everyone brings a plate of food and some drink - you get plenty of variety with this approach and everyone gets to do their bit. If you have different cultural backgrounds, you also get to try some new tastes too.

9. Communicate - before the event - and let people know what they can expect. Let them know if they should bring anything - food/drink/presents - or NOT. Give them the comfort of knowing that they are prepared for whatever they will be joining in with.

ONE FINAL BIT OF ADVICE:

The biggest stress build up at Christmas is on those who try and DO IT ALL and expect to have a happy time while they're doing it.

Decide in advance -
1) What you CAN do,
2) What is THE most IMPORTANT thing to you on this occasion,
3) What you can DELEGATE
4) What can be left out if you run out of steam.

Then you can put your energy into ACHIEVING the thing that is most important to you. And, if you don't do everything - you're also already prepared to accept what you couldn't fit in without feeling you failed, because you already decided it was optional.

ENJOY THE MOMENT. ENJOY THE SPIRIT OF IT.

4. GLOBAL LOVE DAY 1st May 2006

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT OF LOVE FOUNDATION
HAROLD W BECKER

Dear Friends,

In these precious moments, we extend our wish to you and your family for a wondrous holiday and prosperous New Year. May the beauty of life be expressed to you and through you with love and joy in your heart.

This has been a year of great global and personal change for all of us on this beautiful earth and it is an honor to be sharing the journey with each of you. Your courage and strength to move beyond fear and into love is inspiring. We are delighted and grateful for your ongoing generous and loving support for our efforts and mission of "inspiring people to love unconditionally." We invite you to read our special holiday message.

Today also marks the 6 month countdown for the third annual Global Love Day on May 1, 2006. This fantastic program and the related GLD Art, Essay and Poetry Invitational are spreading the remembrance of love worldwide. We currently have dedicated Volunteer Coordinators in 13 countries, contacts with individuals and organizations from 71 countries, and our flyer is already translated in 13 languages. A combined 36 proclamations have been issued by prominent US Governors, Mayors and Councils. Add to this the many people around the globe that initiated events and participated in the first two Global Love Days and you can see why we are excited by the growing exponential potential.

Our newest program and perhaps most heart-warming is well underway this year too. Each month we announce a new group of Love Ambassadors where we acknowledge the silent heroes worldwide for their contribution of living life through love. Each name represents an incredible individual that has dedicated themselves to be an expression of love... often through great challenge and difficulty. Take a moment to read their names on our site.

These programs are possible by your support in time, funding, ideas, and kindness. With your assistance we continue to provide and expand our programs throughout the year. We are an IRS recognized 501(c)3 charitable organization and all donations are fully deductible. Please consider sharing our web site too with your friends and associates www.thelovefoundation.com

One final note... when visiting our home page through December 15th, click the link for the WEDU - PBS "Be More Award" and cast your vote for TLF.

Thank you for an amazing year and let us join hand in hand circling the globe with open hearts filled with love.

Love, light and peace,
Harold W. Becker, President
John T. Goltz, Vice President

Think: Global Love Day
Feel: Love Begins With Me
Remember: May 1, 2006

The Love Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 10114
Tampa, FL 33679-0114

http://www.thelovefoundation.com

5. AND FINALLY ...

Remembering Why Christmas Is Celebrated:

A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable, and hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, this woman finally made it out of the store and to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season at this time of the year - overwhelming pressure. To go to every party, eat all the holiday food and treats, get that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, make sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sends us a card! Not to mention, getting the kids everything they ask for.

Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in their. The woman pushed her way into the car dragging her two kids in with her and all her bags of stuff.

When the doors closed, she let out a big sigh and decided she couldn't take it anymore, saying out loud, to no one in particular, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be arrested and strung up!"

From the back of the elevator, a quiet calm voice responded, "Don't worry ma'am, I believe they crucified Him."

AND .....

Ah, Christmas! Time to buy a dead tree and eat candy out of your socks!

Other traditions include:

In Italy they have no Christmas trees, instead they decorate small wooden pyramids with fruit.

An artificial spider and web are often included in the decorations on Ukrainian Christmas trees. A spider web found on Christmas morning is believed to bring good luck.

In Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela, it is customary for the streets to be blocked off on Christmas eve so that the people can roller-skate to church.

It is a British Christmas tradition that a wish made while mixing the Christmas pudding will come true only if the ingredients are stirred in a clockwise direction.

A traditional Christmas dinner in early England was the head of a pig prepared with mustard.

Sending red Christmas cards to anyone in Japan constitutes bad etiquette, since funeral notices there are customarily printed in red.

In Norway on Christmas Eve, all the brooms in the house are hidden because long ago it was believed that witches and mischievous spirits came out on Christmas Eve and would steal their brooms for riding.

HOWEVER, YOU CELEBRATE THIS SEASON - HAVE A HAPPY TIME and SHARE SOME OF IT WITH OTHERS.

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