Did you celebrate Christmas with Candles?

Did you have candles for Christmas?
We were in Australia battling hot humid weather with no air conditioning! With every fan available blowing a gale, our candles served decorative purpose only. That is what is nice about candles. You can appreciate their beauty even when not lit.

Actually so much of what one plans doesn’t eventuate but we have fun trying. One year, Christmas dinner did not happen at all. It would have heated up the kitchen and eventually the whole house. It was so hot that everyone opted for cold icy drinks rather than to face a hot meal. Actually it was so hot, no one wanted the cold salads either. So it was smoothies and ice drinks all day and the kids ran thru the garden water sprinkler. This Christmas we were on water restrictions so many families spent the day at the beach. We had salads and smoothies in the evening. Best of all we had long talks and lots of laughter.

What a contrast to our American home and family gathering. We spoke at length over the phone with hoards of our family members who sledded and played in the snow all morning followed by a fabulous hot dinner.

So wherever you are in the world at Christmas, spending fun time with family and sharing fabulous food (or cold drinks) and friendship remains important to all of us.

For us though, this is not just Happy Holidays! This season is about Christ and remembering what he has done and continues to do for us. It is not just about family and food, but it is important that as individuals and as a family we remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

To help us remember what Christmas is really about, here are a few ways we try to achieve this.

We decorate the house, not just with a tree and some tinsel, but with Nativity pictures, a nativity scene, motivation statements and candles that have meaning.

We play music that honors the God in the season. For us it is not about reindeer or a man in a red suit, so we try to find music that tells the real story. It is not that we ban the other fun songs. (Actually my daughter’s favorite Christmas song is an Aussie one “Six White Boomers” which is about kangaroos taking the place of the reindeer). We just make sure that Jesus is the primary focus of our music.

Before the giving of presents, grandpa gathers the children and tells the Christmas story about Jesus, the greatest gift that was ever given.

After we are seated at the table spread with a magnificent feast, the candles are lit and as they are lit a short simple statement about letting the candles be a reminder that God brought Light to the earth and to our lives and that we need to let His Light shine thru us to others.

Watch a good movie about the Christmas story. We have a great animated one for the kids.

Do a quiz about the Christmas story.

This year we did a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle called Light to the Gentiles. It pictures Mary Joseph, Baby Jesus and Simeon in the Temple. Everyone had a go at it over a few days.

Take time as an individual to reflect be thankful.
For Jesus coming to this earth that we might know God and be saved
For Jesus and the love joy and peace He gives us
For family
For friends
For our home
For our food
For our clothes

So now that Christmas day is over and our regular lives resume, we need to take the Love, Joy and Peace that He has given us and allow the Light of His Salvation to shine before others that they too may know Him.

Birthday Reflections and Future Directions

Another of my daughters is having her birthday. I wondered how much different are our desires as we get older. How different is it to have a birthday when you are twenty nine than it is when you are nine. I asked her. What would make your birthday a great birthday?

Her sweet response :-
To do a fun outdoor activity
To have yummy things to eat
To be pampered with love and smiles
To be with friends and family
To have some time alone for reflection and dreaming of the future
To start recording my journey

Have a read of my blogs about my nine year old's birthday wishes. When you really look at it closely, there are heaps of similarities. Whether you are nine or twenty nine there are still some things that remain common….A desire for fun, food, family, friends.

What changes as we get older is our desire for meaning and purpose in our life. It is important that we seek out our reason for being. Knowing our reason for being gives meaning to our life. Once this is discovered it affects our future decisions.

Reflection on our journey so far helps refine for us what we have enjoyed and what we would sooner do without. It helps us see what we have been good at and what we need to work on, what we have achieved and gained and what we have lost. Reminiscing helps get our talents and motivations in clearer perspective.

Using our talents for meaningful pursuit give light, depth, perspective, color, movement, emotion and fragrance to our life. Just like a beautiful painting.

Learning that my reason for being was to commune with my Heavenly Father and grow to know Him intimately radically changed my perspective on my life. Know Him better day by day and you discover that He is like a candle in the darkness …a gentle light that powerfully overcomes the darkness… the darkness in me and the darkness around. Know Him and you gain an understanding that he desires all of us to know Him and the warmth and light you experience you cannot help but share with those you love and those you encounter.

Reflection can be painful as well as a source of growth and maturity. Our pains and sufferings take on different meaning when you, first, have your real reason for being.

Taking our new found relationship with our Maker and Heavenly Father, the learnings and signposts from our reflections and our talents (now yielded to Him for His purposes), everything is different
- Our Darkness is turned to Light
- Our Confusion is turned to Peace
- Our Loneliness is turned to Comfort
- Our Sadness is turned to Joy
- Our Mourning is turned into dancing
- Our Wanderings are turned to a Straight Path
- His strength is made perfect in our weakness

Find your reason for living and your life will be the most beautiful painting anyone has ever laid eyes on.

The Best Birthday of My Life

At the end of her special day, my daughter said "This has been the best birthday of my life". She got the day off school and was allowed to sleep in....but of course it was a fun day so she awoke very early. Her desire for a pet was ...well ....almost met ....with her present being a Red Tamagottchi virtual pet...Since she totally loves computers, and always wanted a tamagotchi these 2 loves joined together in one. She was very excited and felt very grown up.

We had a family day together. We visited the Ginger Factory...took a boat ride following the gingerbread man all around the world and back again....then we took a train ride around the magnificent tropical gardens and saw some very beautiful ginger flowers. A visit to Santa's workshop and a spectacular marionatte display of elves working on all sorts of projects culminated in a free photo (just because it was her birthday) with Santa.

Swimming was on her favorites list too and so off to the beach it was.... what a great time boogie boarding the waves! On the way back from the beach we encountered some fabulous markets where she told every one who would listen that it was her birthday and she was very excited about it. You would be amazed at how many freebies she was given as her excitment caught on with the market vendors....she even received a huge very fragrant mango (of course she loves mangos..

On return everyone busied around the kitchen making a gourmet spaghetti bolognaise (her favorite food) with fresh homecooked bread (a garlic and olive loaf) and italian garden salad.

We all settled to watch a movie with intermission being another of her favorites...Chocolate mud cake, red strawberries and cream..... and of course the ceremonial candle blowing..... what a smile! She had just had the best day of her life.... and I am sure it was not about the things, but about the time spent making her day special with her favorite things and her favorite people...family.

Making Birthdays Special - Out of the mouth of Babes

Well here is the result of the first round of brainstorming. My nine year old daughter says... a birthday with all her favorite things would be a good day. She wrote me a list of all her favourite things. Her favorite color is red, favorite animal is a horse or a dog, her favorite toy is a stuffed toy dog, favorite card game is snap, favorite board game is Risk, favorite outdoor thing is swimming with the whole family, favorite meal is Spaghetti Bolognaise, favorite dessert is creamy icecream and peaches and dont forget the chocolate! So, what a list we have to work with!
Will keep you posted!

Are Birthdays about expensive gifts?

Whether you are 9 or 90 years old, birthdays should be meaningful and fun.

They may be celebrated differently but the idea is the same. To celebrate and to make one person feel special on the anniversary of their birthday. How easy it is to yeild to the "presents mentality" and buy the most expensive present we can afford every year....and very often it is not being used in a month's time.

Our kids can grow up with the expectation of high material gain on their birthday. So what then happens when the family hits rough times? Does the person still feel special when they dont receive a big expensive gift? It is a good thing to cultivate other ways of making our loved ones feel special on every birthday regardless of the money spent. Then their focus is right and they are prepared for a time when you may not be able to lavish them with gifts.

This week we have 2 daughters having birthdays but in two different continents....and well, things are very lean right now with all resources spent on building our new business....so we are brainstorming for ideas on making ther birthdays special.

Will keep you posted!

Candles for Bereaving Families

The Compassionate Friends - Worldwide Candle Lighting

Yesterday I heard about another candle lighting event of which I am sure many of you have not heard. At least I had not.

On the Second Sunday in December (Dec 9 this year), thousands of groups of people around the world with a commonality that none would choose to be a part, meet.

Losing a child is one of the most painful emotions and experiences one could ever experience. Those bereaved are often affected for a long time and have difficulty in arriving at closure and the ability to positively move on. The first birthday and first Christmas without the child are very difficult and emotions can override and negatively affect future events for other siblings or family members.

A world wide candle lighting Ceremony orchestrated by Compassionate Friends Worldwide brings families and friends together to commemorate and honor children they have lost (especially in the last year) so they will not be forgotten and so that those left behind will not be left in deep depression and gloom. The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive. (You can find them on the web.)

A candle signifies life and light and so the burning of a candle brings light and life to the memory and to the hearts of the bereaved. It is not that a candle has any magical or mystical powers as it is not the candle itself that heals. The lighting of a small candle in the darkness somehow helps you to draw aside from the blaring distractions. It brings an err of calm and helps you focus on what is important at that time. Something very special happens when a large group lights candles. A feeling of unity and oneness occurs.

A large group in one accord with a positive outlook, give enormous support and a sense of community and togetherness where otherwise there may be a huge sense of being alone and isolated. We human beings need each other especially in our darkest hours. When you cannot hold yourself up, a caring friend can make all the difference.

But for me, times of grief and sadness can only really be healed in the presence my Heavenly Father. I pray that those who have lost a child this year will come to know Him and His comfort and peace.

I am also urged to become more connected with my children and to make every day count for they are precious gifts from the Lord, loaned to us for but a season….and we never know how long that will be.

Happy Hannukah!

Being into candles is a lot of fun and is a very meaningful learning experience. All across the world, people from varied and different walks in life use the seemingly insigificant flame of a candle to assist in the expression of spiritual moments..... A candle is used

to ponder the past, to look forward,
to remember, to forget,
to honor life, to honor those who have died,
to celebrate, to mourn,
to reflect on past triumphs or failures, to dedicate their future,
to draw close to others and to G_d,

Today is the commencement of another candle ceremony Hannukah. Hannukah is a Jewish celebration. It is the Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the festival of lights. Hannukah is an eight day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev which is today!! The Hannukah Candle ceremony is carried out over 8 days.

The first candle is lit today with another candle being lit each successive day until all eight are lit on the last day. This ceremony is a reminder to those who celebrate it of the miracles and protection of G_d's people throughout the thousands of years. It is also a time for drawing close to their family, to God and to dedicate themselves to His purposes.

A very meaningful candle ceremony and well worth learning some more about!

Advent - Reminder of Hope

Today marked the beginning of Advent. As we draw near to the celebration of the Birth of Jesus it is a constant battle to draw aside from the demands of the season and family and pay tribute to the One it is all about. This first week of Advent is a time to reflect on the hope that we have because of the birth, life, death and resurection of Jesus. I really dont know how people move throught this life with out this hope...a hope that is really an assurance of our daily needs today being met, that our future is secure and our hope in His second coming. I just love the advent candle ceremony that helps us keep focus on what the season is all about. We have a little article on www.candlelightsolutions.com about Advent and the candle ceremony if you havent heard of it. It is a great family experience....one that helps us draw near to each and to God. Have a great week of reflection and family togetherness! Go light your first purple candle!

Creating Enriching Family Memories!

Well the thanksgiving week is over and hopefully you took some time out to be thankful for the thoughtfulness, diligence and determination that our forefathers displayed settling this country.

Also of value, time with family. Time to be thankful for each other and for the many ways they were a blessing to us this year.

But most importantly, having a heart of Thanksgiving toward our Heavenly Father who gives us every good gift and blesses us in so many ways.

Sunday begins the first week of Advent and whatever form of worship you prefer and however frequent that may be, this next few weeks can be a special time of spiritual and family enrichment........a time for observing old traditions and creating new ones....for creating and growing memories.

Creating a memory or new tradition does not have to be an elaborate affair..in fact the more simple the better as we human beings tend to get lazy and easily forget when things get to hard or complicated. It is far better to have something simple that you or you and the kids can do and keep doing every year than it is to never do anything.

Candles are central to many celebrations and meaningful events in our lives. I am sure that millions of people around the world spent Thanksgiving by candlelight in some way (if the sales of candles are anything to go by!). As we prepare for Christmas, take some time to think about howe a simple candle can make an enormous difference to your family fun and fellowship when you apply some meaning that will never be forgotten. Advent is a beautiful symbolic candle lighting tradition that takes ideas and turns them into meaningful enriching moments.

We are going to try very hard this year to not get caught up with the work, school and community group parties, decorating, the buying of gifts and preparation of food and home for guests. It is so easy to have it rush on by and never actually take a minute to ponder and reflect on what Christmas is really all about. Hope you join us!

Great websites

Wow, it has been a busy week....no blogs for a week...shame! More work of course going on on the website and it is easy to get impatient. I am bursting to get selling candles!

When you visit all those websites one would never realise how much work and time goes into creating them. If I see a great site, I've decided to write them and say how great it is. Why Because if it is great they have put a real lot of work into it.
That's all for today.

ANZAC's - Light a Candle in Memory

Today was Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand.

ANZAC Day is the anniversary of the day in 1915 when soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the beaches of Gallipoli. It is the day when the people of Australia and New Zealand remember those who fell or were injured in war.

In every city, Australians and New Zealanders rose early for a dawn service to remember and honour those who gave their lives for others, not just in Gallipoli but in many other wars. Elderly war veterans, joined by family and friends of those who fought, suffered or died, formed processions thru city streets all across the country. Fighter planes roared as they flew overhead. Television stations broadcast programs across the country for most of the day.
As one watches, participates and listens, you become very aware that ANZAC day is far more than a memorial. In Australia, it is a demonstration of mateship of the Australian people.

Mateship for an Australian means courage, endurance, sacrifice, loyalty, not letting the team down, helping out the Aussie battler, being there when the chips are down. The ANZACs fought on when other soldiers would not dare because their mates’ lives were in danger. When the going gets tough the tough get going!

What a great example! Whilst we admire those who have placed their lives in danger for others, not many of us find ourselves in such a place. But regardless of the country we live in, we can live by their example in the way we treat each other…. Caring for those who are battling, being more tolerant of each other, giving without expecting reward, going the extra mile, and let others know you care.

All over the place, in churches, community centres, parks and beaches, candles have been lit in memory of those who gave up their future for our present. I just love the meaning, emotion and sense of closeness that candles bring.

For those of you who are remembering a lost loved one, we hold you up in our prayers today.

Storms

Yesterday we were hit with storms so I did the right thing and unplugged everything... computer included... so no chance of writing yesterday.

What a great time to think about candles! Every household should have a supply of candles and lamps for blackouts. And most of us forget about checking the candle supplies regularly.... and more importantly the lighter or matches... it is too late during the blackout to discover you are really in the dark.

So, go on...go check your candle supply...do you have enough candles to last a week of blackout? Are your candles clean burning and long lasting? The last thing you want to make the inconvenience turn to discomfort is candles smoking and putting soot up the walls or all over your candleholder. Not good for the lungs either. It is really worth the effort to purchase good quality candles...in the end they are cheaper. Do you have enough candles or a reflective candleholder in at least one area to be able to read? Have you tried them out during normal times? Do you have safe candleholders so you dont accidently set fire to the house? And do you have a clean safe place to put a candle in all rooms of the house? Some pre planning can make all the difference.

The other thing most people forget is "what are we going to do while the blackout is on?" If your family are big TV watchers a blackout can be a very tense time.... but think ahead...think of some family games you can play..... have some bubble bath on hand... a bubble bath by candlelight is wonderfully relaxing.... if you are a musical lot...get out the instruments and have a singalong.... get a joke book...have everyone compose limericks.....tell stories.... try painting with irredescent paint by candelight for a whole new perspective....what ever you and yours are interested in, you can think of some new things....you never know, everyone might want a staged blackout now and then to reapture the fun time....Do you have any ideas? Post your comments. We'd love to hear them.

Good Intentions

Well, the intention was to have some fun and relaxation today.

But, I had a call from an aquaintenance in distress. Her aged mom had been hospitalised after her health deteriorated rapidly. She was now facing the prospect of finding a nursing home urgently for her mom.

She was swamped with a myriad of forms and questionaires that were highly confusing, bills to pay and a mob of relatives demanding she not put mom into a nursing home in spite of it being completely impossible for her to care for her. It is so easy for we humans to make judgements about others' decisions that we cannot unless we have walked a mile in their shoes.

Having to care for a close relative with dementia is a very challenging job...one that does not finish when you go to bed...night and day you are at looking out for them. Sooner or later, as the disease progesses you find yourself searching for ways to maintain any sort of connection with them. I am very excited about what we have to offer from our website for carers of those who have lost all short term memory. Keep an eye out...we will be up and running soon!

So, the whole morning was lovingly spent completing forms, finding information and reassuring. The afternoon and evening...more work on the website... Loads to do....never enough time to do it ....but we do our best.... a mighty challenge indeed. It a bit like getting thru the brussels sprouts before you can have dessert!

Cheers
Suzie

Stress City

This week has not been an easy one. A couple of days of sickness.....I actually had 2 days off work which is saying something... I think could count all the days I have had off sick in the last 10 years on the fingers of one hand. Most likely reason...stress...working full time while setting up a business is no easy task..... but really when I think about it, stress for me is not about the amount I have to do, it is not having the knowledge or the resources to do what is neccessary. It is also about the lack of balance.

It is really neccessary to relax and have fun especially when you are really busy...some how it recharges you. But also for me, stress comes from not being organised. Taking some time to organise one self especially when really busy sounds sensible but often is the first thing to go when you are really busy...taking some time each day to set aside to focus on who and what is important to you before you get going is essential. It helps with the way we prioritise our day and how we set and acheive our goals.

So I have some fun and relaxation to organise.... then some rework on my goals and priorities...
looking forward to a great weekend!
Cheers
Suzie

Website almost ready

Finally we are almost ready to launch our website....candlelightsolutions.com. It has been a long hard journey and an enormous learning curve. Attempting such a thing when you also have a very demanding fulltime job was a bit crazy really. But, nothing worthwhile comes easy and we hope one day to give up the day job and work from home....looking forward to more freedom and time to spend with my 8 year old.

Actually it has been exciting and fun for the most part...I just do not like all the technical stuff... I love to write...I love to create and to plan ...I love to inspire.....but the IT technical mumbo jumbo is not for me.... just cannot get my head around it..

Anyway, keep an eye out! We will let you know when we are ready to launch.

Suzie

The Flame of a Single Candle

The flame of a single candle has enormous potential, dont you agree?

I began to ponder today the many ways that a candle flame can affect a moment in time.

A candle can be a Light to show the way... A candle can light another candle and together they make a greater light. Many candles together can create a a light enough to fill a room, a whole house or a cathedral. A candle can create warmth.

Aromatherapy candles not only offer light but stimulation, relaxation and healing. Scented candles can help build memories and bring back treasured old ones.

A candle is a wonderful symbol of life.

Candles make great presents because they give more than an object. What do you think? How do you use candles? How would you like to use candles? I am sure we could come up with dozens of ideas....

Talking of presents.... Everyone is soon to need some Mother's Day gifts. It is a shame there are not many avaibale presents for delivery on Mother's day....but we still have time to get organised..... stay posted for some great ideas.