23 April 2011
Randomly Inspiring Words in "Ness" on The Royal Mile
I've been wanting to start sharing about the awesome and inspiring people I've been meeting throughout my journey of self discovery, and have decided that Easter would be the perfect time of year to start. Re-birth is a strong theme this time of year...
While on my recent holiday in Scotland (I did tell you all about that, didn't I? :) I met some lovely folks in person, finally, and all the conversations were SO inspiring and affirming! I also had the pleasure of sharing this trip to my spiritual homeland with my good friend, Sara, who shared with me (over a full Scottish breakfast) about an e-mail she wrote to her wee Godson, Logan, out in California (along with a stuffed Oscar the Grouch).
I think it's the perfect sentiment, and kick-of, to the stories I will be sharing about inspiring people. So here's my first guest blogger, Miss Sara Osten!!!
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So, Easter. It’s an odd event. Because here’s the thing: This is a holiday that often involves church services, brunch, Jesus, big hats, an Easter ham, decorated eggs that kids need to hunt down, and funny stories about rabbits. Oh, and peeps. (which are really weird and a little gross, even though they are kinda cute).
Technically, it’s the seasonal day of religious celebration following the Spring Equinox. (Here in New York, where there was still some snow lingering about... this is highly welcomed.)
To the early pagans, and depending on where you lived, the “Eostre” festival was either a time of sprouting or seeding. The rituals involved were mostly about the balance of day and night times, to pray for good earth, and to the gods that would bless the crops and families.
Then, as Christianity spread, it was common for missionaries to practice some good salesmanship by placing pagan ideas and rituals within the ideas of the Christian faith and turning pagan festivals into Christian holidays. For Christians, it was the time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So, the two celebrations became one, but the early pagans also brought along the eggs and rabbits, since they were their symbols for Eostre. Hence, why we probably have chocolate rabbits and jelly beans today. Although who knows where peeps are from. Probably Mars :)
So, whether or not you want to celebrate Jesus rising from the grave, or crops rising from the cold winter, or just the fact that you get an Easter basket full of goodies, is all good. So maybe the whole point of this is to celebrate... life. And, since everyone has adapted the meaning of this holiday anyway, why not us? Here’s my proposal: let’s celebrate someone who led an inspiring life!
Recently, your Mom sent me this adorable picture of you playing with trash cans. Embarrassing, I know. Sorry. And I’ll be sure to show them at your wedding :) But because of you Logan, and reminding me that even playing with trash cans can cause so much happiness.... I remembered one of the funny characters on Sesame Street, and the amazing genius who created him, Jim Henson.
You know, Henson is the reason why I got you that pirate puppet (which I hope you like!) that I believe overthrew the dog captain and took over as commander of your pirate ship! Anyway, Henson created Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Muppet movies, The Labyrinth, and he even helped create Yoda from Star Wars, as well as countless other projects. With Sesame Street, it helped me learn so many things, like numbers, colors, and the importance of sharing and being nice to others. And most importantly, imagination and being silly is a really good thing. The worlds and characters he invented are just as vivid and original today. In fact, Sesame Street is over 40 years old now, and still feels as fresh and smart as it was when I was kid. Pretty cool, huh?
So this Easter, I will think about you, your Mom and Dad and how amazing and inspiring you all are and how happy I am to have you all in my life! And perhaps even think about this quote from Jim Henson: “The most sophisticated people I know - inside they are all children.”
Happy Easter!
ps. Fozzie... he was my favorite. And this one was just too darn cute.
Sara in Edinburgh
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A huge "THANK YOU!" to Sara for sharing this wonderful note. I admire her devotion to letter writing in this digital world...it can be done, even through an email. It's a great talent...and such lovely words!!!
This is a fantastic introduction to the stories about inspiring people I've been meeting, including Sara. She planned and saved and quit a job/lifestyle that wasn't suiting her in order to find herself and her passion again...a road that isn't easy, but always worth it. I couldn't have asked for a better drinking buddy in Edinburgh!
This is exactly what we need to do...celebrate inspiration, be inspired ourselves, and help each other to be inspired! It creates a much lovelier and purpose-filled life.
Happy Easter!
XO