I chose this day, the 26th, for Linda’s Blog Challenge over at Litebeing Chronicles because it’s a day that seems to go under the radar (at least in America), and therefore it’s a day that I wanted to know more about. I also wasn’t sure when I’d sign up and time was running out! Here’s some of what we discovered.

The day after Christmas is known as Boxing Day in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others. Traditionally, on the day after Christmas people give a box of presents to servants or tradespeople to show appreciation for their year-round hard work.

December 26^th is also the Feast of St. Stephen (or St. Stephen’s Day), a holiday during which people traditionally give alms to the poor. This compassion and generosity is celebrated by the Christmas carol “Good King Wenceslas,” which tells a story of Wenceslas I, Duke of Bohemia, bringing firewood and food to a struggling peasant on a cold winter’s night. Here’s the song:

What Boxing Day and St. Stephen’s Day have in common is to focus not on the accrual of material possessions (gifts, toys, candy, or decorations), but rather on sharing kindness with those outside the family and therefore within the greater community. I found it quite interesting to learn about St. Stephen’s Day/Boxing Day.

Here’s the Blog Challenge Q & A:

Which lessons did you learn?

I learned to keep moving forward in 2014. It was also a busy year for me in my personal life. It was full of excitement and a bit of wonderment. It was also my first full year of being in a new city with my husband. As it turned out, there was so much change and newness for the both of us this past year. The newness has helped me to stick to the present moment, taking each day as it comes.

How did you serve others?

My husband recently called me, “the stranger whisperer.” I think he meant it humorously, but he says there’s truth to it. I asked him why, and he says that I connect well with strangers and inspire them. This year I saved a woman from losing her car battery by knocking on the door to her home to let her know her headlights were still on outside. She had these immense birds in her house that were squawking, and she didn’t easily hear the knock at the door. It was difficult to get her to answer, but when she did, she was really grateful about the car. Then on another day, due a strange and specific urge of mine to take the elevator in a deserted parking garage, I saved two men who were trapped in the elevator. Sadly, no one could hear their previous calls for help. Freeing them made me feel lucky! So, that was actually a blessing to me. Grace comes in and helps us to help another.

What blessings did you receive?

Every morning when I wake up, I am grateful that I am alive. I am grateful that I am healthy. Every day, I am grateful that I get the chance to walk around. Having recovered from an injury – I do not take my mobility, nor any ability to conduct my ‘activities of daily living’ (ADLs) for granted!!

Did you receive any “gifts” in terms of powers or skills? 

The greatest gift I received was the return of ‘Beginner’s Mind.’ I’ve been meditating for a while now. Every time I get back to ‘Beginner’s Mind,’ I get this sense of living on my edge in a soft and compassionate way – it’s the power of love and genuine receptivity of Spirit. Mmmm

Next up in the blog challenge is Pearlgirl  on December 27th. Nice to meet you at the Blog Challenge 2014!

Hello readers!

This morning one of my many, many emails jumped out at me and said “Read me.” This is the holiday season. When something comes of interest to myself as well as ‘vibes’ and asks me to share with others, I don’t doubt it – even if I have lots of things to do…and this wasn’t originally on my list.

Do you feel loved? I hope so. While sharing this with my close family and friends is good, I find that people beyond my family and friends are benefiting. In fact, all of my life experiences up to this point have been showing me that I need to continuous reach beyond that which is familiar to me. Every job I’ve ever had, I played the role as counselor, confidant, a listener to someone in need.  I KNOW that I am not alone in this. As with anything I post, if this isn’t for you, then move right along and place no emphasis on it. Have a happy and fulfilling day!

Listen to this call, there are people who are trying to fill their piggy banks, people who are laid off, people who are transitioning into their practices and finding clients, etc. What Morgana Rae shares, her processes, are valuable & they are free. Not all of her processes are free – but this one healing for yourself that if you are ready for, you don’t want to miss out on! Money isn’t everything, but relationships ARE.

GET TO IT: http://tinyurl.com/o5lbpuz   The password is ‘healing.’

Get back to the self that feels like you – the one that is abundant and has plenty to give…also, don’t forget to receive.  A gift from the heart is complete when it’s received.

With Love,

Ka Malana

Hello!

Dec 6: This Sun/Moon opposition (Full Moon) is squaring off Chiron in Pisces. I’m trying to get myself to write a little bit, but I feel like I’d rather hide under a rock. Why?  No reason, maybe it’s my natal Chiron in the 3rd (sure, that’s it). I just want to wrap myself up in softness and ask that life not *interfere.*  I’m chuckling at myself, because that’s what I do: laugh at myself. It passes the time.

Venus trine Jupiter and blessings abound! We got rain in Southern California, as I write, even!  All those semi-solo rain dances (my husband and I) paid off, I guess. I always call to the rivers when I am by myself. It’s just something I do when I want rain. I’d also been watching El Nino reports like a hawk for several months, reading about increasing water temperatures in the Pacific and other tell-tale signs for this weather event.

Venus trine Jupiter and my heart is expanding many times over. Saturn’s about to cross over my MC and I’m being really, really hard on myself. Generally speaking, though, most of the planets have been really good to me. Saturn passages have been *really* good to me. I hope Saturn sees my blood, sweat, and tears, sleepless nights… etc., but it’s true – there’s always more I can do…

I feel like I am on new a strata of my onion – opening up more and more and revealing soft-spots, happy spots, scary spots, and stuff that’s just no one’s business!  Life is staring me in the face asking me to continuously come-hither, come out of my Cancerian crab moon shell. The thing is… my shell is comfy. I want to make more shells, in fact. I want to create my home everywhere I go – that would be more shells.  With a Gemini IC, I would travel back and forth and shuttle to my different little shell-homes. That’s what these taxis are for!  Ah-hem…. thank you for listening. I bow to you and take my leave.  Please enjoy my photos! The Earth, she breathes! & taxis…