Hello Readers,
Epiphany is a Christian Festival held on January 6th to celebrate when The Three Wise Men who travelled to Bethlehem bringing gifts to the newborn infant Jesus.
It also refers to when a person suddenly realises and understands something has to change and prepared to go that extra mile in order to discover what it is they are seeking.
Its a desire to discover and experiment with new things. New interests, new people, self improvement, making progress, truth seeking. Very often what they are seeking could involve travelling many miles, hoofing themselves out of their armchairs where life is comfy and easy. Its being prepared to go that extra mile to achieve something new and great and often the results are found in the most unusual places in the most unexpected ways.
Now that the Christmas decorations have all been taken down and the Festive Parties have come to an abrupt end, people start to think of the New Year as a time to make ‘Resolutions’ to either lose weight, get fit, stop smoking, stop drinking, the list of promises to be better and more focused is endless. This is called experiencing an ‘Epiphany’.
The ancient Babylonians made promises to their Gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts.
The Romans made promises to their God Janus, for whom the month of January is named.
In the Medieval era, the Knights took a ‘Peacock Vow’ at the end of the Christmas period to reaffirm their oath of ‘Chivalry’.
Today we are bombarded by advertisements to encourage us to shed those excess pounds, live healthier and find ways of lengthening our lifespan. Many people will make Resolutions, few will succeed and many will give up all too easily, falling back into their comfort zones and then starting all over again the following New Year.
Below are a couple of very old sayings about what New Year Resolutions should involve.
‘A Resolve For Every Day Of The Year’
‘I will this day try to live, a simple, sincere and serene life. Repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity and self seeking. Cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity and the habit of holy science. Exercising economy in expenditure. Carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust and a childlike trust in God.’
‘YOUR NEW YEAR RESOLUTION
Resolve to renew your old resolves,
And add a few that are new,
Resolve to keep them as long as you can,
What more can a poor man do?’
Never let a stumble in the road be the end of the journey.
Determination and perseverance move the world. Thinking that others will do it for you is a sure way to fail. Your mind is a powerful thing and when you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change.
The Lulas and I would like to wish you all the very best of luck in all your endeavours in reaching your goals….and remember, the only person standing in your way of success…IS YOU
Until Next Week,
Love and Light,
Linda and The Lulasxxx
