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Valentines History
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At this time of year, the focus is 100% on giving. Yes, it’s a wonderful feeling to give from your heart, but how about receiving? Can you do that with an open heart as well?
The fact is many people find receiving much more difficult, but giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin. If you wish to give me something purely for the joy of giving, and I am not open to receiving it fully, I am blocking your joy. I am therefore being extremely selfish. I need to receive what you want to give me in order to maximize your pleasure. Therefore my acceptance is my gift back to you.
So why not this Holiday gift-giving season resolve to be totally conscious about how you receive? Be aware of your discomfort when it arises. Log your thoughts about the gift and how it was given. Watch how you compare your gift with what others got from the same person. Notice whether you attach a meaning to the gift. Was your heart open to receive the gift purely as a gift, or were you calculating whether your gift back to them was equal in value? Did the gift make you feel obligated to reciprocate? Were you embarrassed by the gift? If so, why?
You may discover a lot about yourself by doing this, and let’s be honest; some of it might not be pretty. But it will be an opportunity to learn more about your own self-forgiveness and self-acceptance in order to love that part of your shadow being revealed.
You might also need to try to better understand the motives of the giver if you felt slighted, obligated, misunderstood, or even insulted by the gift given. Or perhaps they didn’t get you a gift and you gave to them. Or even worse, they gave you an expensive gift and you gave them nothing. Was that a power play, perhaps? Or maybe they gave you something awful which you will feel obligated to keep and perhaps wear or use.
Remember, family get-togethers are ideal opportunities to heal and grow. Well, giving and receiving gifts is just another way of relating, not just as brother and sister, or mother and son, but as giver and receiver. There’s plenty of opportunity for button pushing right there.
Company gifts to their employees can create even worse discomfort and press deeply held shadow material about worthiness, self-esteem, value and need for approval. Employees are very sensitive to differential giving within the company and they do tend to keep score.
If we are to overcome our resistance to receiving in order to keep things in balance, it helps to remind ourselves of the criteria of what constitutes a true gift:
1. The giver sincerely wishes to give the gift for the sake of it — not out of a sense of obligation.
2. The giver genuinely feels that the gift will have value or meaning to the recipient and that he or she would be pleased to receive it.
3. There are no strings attached and the recipient is free to do with the gift whatever he or she wishes.
4. There is no expectation of reciprocity.
If any one of these criteria are not met, then it is not a true gift. The only requirement in gift giving is that the gift is received. Period.
If reciprocity is definitely required, as some cultures demand, then it becomes more a ritual of exchange rather than gift giving. Unfortunately, this is what Christmas has become and accounts for the madness in malls in the run-up to December 25th. People expect gifts and everyone feels obligated to give. It’s not a good experience for anyone when this is the case.
If you want to get some spiritual growth and fun out of the Holiday season family ritual, keeping in mind those four criteria, I dare you to try this:
Excepting your own young children up to the age of 15 say, buy no one a present this year, but be totally open to receiving a gift from everyone who wants to buy you one. Have no shame. Then after you have shown a great deal of gratitude and pleasure at receiving the gift, thereby completing the exchange of pleasurable feelings associated with giving and receiving, say the following:
“Instead of buying a whole load of things you probably don’t need, I have made a contribution equal to the amount I would ordinarily have spent on buying presents for each one of you, to the following charity __________.
“I also intend to take all the beautiful and wonderful gifts you have so kindly given me and spend some time finding some people who would like them as much or even more than I do. In other words, I would like to pass them on. It will give me so much pleasure to do that and that will be your real gift to me.”
Everyone will drop their jaws, but once people understand where you are coming from on this, it could make for a most interesting conversation after dinner that will probably last well into the evening. And I bet, in the end, that you will earn a great deal of respect from those who would love to have the courage to do the same.
The following year, go back to giving everyone a present and see how they receive it. A whole different discussion will ensue.
Happy Holidays!
Copyright 2008 Colin TippingBy: Colin TippingArticle Directory: http://www.articledashboard.comColin Tipping is the acknowledged authority on the application of this technology to the "healing" of individuals, families, races, corporations, and communities. Please go to The Institute for Radical Forgiveness to learn more about Colin and other Radical Forgiveness strategies. |
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Valentines History
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A Valentines wedding theme is all about love. Hearts, flowers, bows and chocolates are common symbols of Valentine’s Day. They are also perfect items that you can use to bring a Valentines Day wedding theme to life!
Color Scheme
• Red
• White
• Pink
Invitations
Design your invitations “set the stage” for your theme. This will automatically show your guests what theme you are planning to have.
• Shape the invitations into 2 intertwined hearts.
• Have hearts and flowers (roses are a must!) on the invitations.
* Have heart-shaped confetti sprinkled inside the envelope.
• Start the invitation wording with the word “Love”. For example: “We would love if you attended”
Flowers
Any flowers can be used, but of course red roses are always a top choice, because they are said to stand for love. Here are some other options:
• Red roses
• Pink roses
• White roses
• Daisies
• Peonies
• Lilies
• Tulips
Decorations
• Use floral arrangements on the reception tables and scatter flowers petals around them.
• Floating candles in large decorative glass bowls.
• Accent your flowers and roses with white or pink ribbons.
• Have hanging cupid decorations
• Have a chocolate fountain to dip fruit and marshmallows into
• Have a red wine or red fruit punch fountain
* Have a candy or cinnamon heart “buffet”
Wedding Cake
• White iced cake decorated with red roses (real or sugar). Or the opposite: a red iced cake with white roses.
• A heart shaped cake.
* A multi-tier cake with hearts, bow, ribbons, flowers and flower petals adorning it.
Favors
• Heart shaped measuring spoons
• Heart shaped candles
• Heart wine stoppers
• Heart favor boxes filled with candy or mints
• Soap in the shape of hearts.
• A cookie mold in the shape of a heart.
Though there are many other creative ways to bring this theme to life, hopefully these ideas have given you a good starting point.
Good luck, and have a uniquely romantic wedding!By: Nikki NArticle Directory: http://www.articledashboard.comWant more? Click here for to find tons of wedding ideas, like wedding flowers ideas, help with wedding toasts, wedding dress tips and more! |
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Valentines History
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One of the Valentine's Day legends says that emperor Claudius III had ordered all Christians to worship to the twelve gods, and had declared that the association with the Christianity was a death punishable crime. Valentine had been devoted to the ideals of Christ and even death couldn’t stop him from practicing his beliefs. Valentine was arrested and sent to prison.
Something amazing happened during the last weeks of his life.
The jailer, having seen that Valentine was a wise man, requested a permission for teaching his daughter. She was a beautiful blind young girl.
Valentine was reading stories of Roman history, teaching math and speaking of God. She saw the world through his eyes.
One day she asked him, if it was a true that God listens to our prayers. He replied that God listens to each and every one of our prayers and always does what's best for us, if we believe in Him.
She said that she really believes in God and her only prayer was to be able to see the world.
They sat together, praying. Suddenly, a bright light illuminated the cell at the prison. The girl exclaimed, - "Valentine, I can see, I see!"
He exclaimed: "Glory to God!"
On the eve of his death, Valentine wrote one last letter to the girl asking her to be close to God. He signed the letter: "From Your Valentine".
He was executed the following day, 14th of February 270, Valentine’s day, near a door that later was named Valentine Gate to honor his memory.
The legend says that the girl planted a pink flowers almond tree next to Valentine’s grave.
Today, the almond tree is a symbol of lasting love and friendship.By: Nadya MarkArticle Directory: http://www.articledashboard.comValentine's day Nadya Mark is recognized women's magazines writer. To read more visit Women's emagazine |
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Valentines History
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Valentine's Day is a festival that cherishes love and romance. The festival falls on February 14 every year and is celebrated in several countries across the world including US, UK, Canada, Japan, France, China and India. Though the festival commemorates the martyrdom of a Christian saint called St Valentine, the festival as it is celebrated today has little religious significance. In present times, Valentine's Day has assumed a secular and global flavor and is celebrated by people of all ages and races.
Valentine's Day celebration is a recent phenomenon in India but has caught the fancy of people to a great extent. Though some see it as a western import and hesitate to celebrate, there exist a large and growing number of those who love the feeling behind the beautiful and romantic festival. Especially to the Indian youth February 14 signifies love - a day when people express their affection for others. Just as several other countries, people in India too celebrate the Valentine's Day by exchanging cards and gifts.
Nowadays People like to enjoy more with near and dear ones. Like Friendship Day, Valentine Day, Thanksgiving Day, Fathers day, Mother Day, Children Day, and Parent Day. In Colleges, Students are use to celebrate day like Traditional Day, Rose Day, Friendship Day, Chocolate Day. This is a way to Giving a Gift to Someone.
Popular Valentine's Day gifts exchanged in India include chocolates, fresh flowers, cards, soft toys and candies. These are also clubbed with several other gifts to pamper sweethearts. Valentine's Day is celebrated in a big way in several countries across the globe. Days before the festival markets wear a festive look. Shops selling gifts and cards are especially decorated with Valentine's Day symbols of roses, hearts, cupids and lovebirds. Aggressive marketing campaign by cards and gift marketers create hype for the festivals. On February 14, the spirit of love pervades the very atmosphere. One can find couples thronging parks, restaurants, malls and multiplexes holding hands and expressing love for each other. On February 14, the Valentine's Day restaurants, discos, Cineplex, pubs and pizza parlors see a particularly busy time as couples celebrate the day in togetherness. Many boys and girls even propose to their sweetheart on this romantic day. People also express love to their friends, teachers, siblings and parents.
Send Valentine’s Day Gifts online to India or Anywhere in the India: On Valentine’s Day, 14th February 2009, express your love, care & respect and register a special place in the hearts of your loved ones.By: Bharat PeriplekoArticle Directory: http://www.articledashboard.comBharat Peripleko recommending GiftstoIndians.com for Sending www.giftstoindians.com/productlist/Valentines-Day-Gifts/232"> Gifts on Valentine Day and Valentine’s Day Gifts |
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