Weekend Word

Welcome to 2016. This will be a good year for change and new beginnings. Last year we talked a lot about New Year’s resolutions and goal setting. Hopefully by now you have achieved some of the goals you set out to accomplish, and if not – it’s a new year and always a great time to keep working at them. This year I want to talk about change and embracing new things in your life. Let’s start this year with a Weekend Word as we take a closer look at the word New.

new

n(y)o͞o/

adjective

1. not existing before; made, introduced or discovered recently or now for the first time.
2. already existing but seen, experienced, or acquired recently or now for the first time.

adverb

1. newly; recently.

I really love this word for its complexity and multiple uses. Let’s explore further in a sample… Say you just purchased a used car. Would you first tell your friends “I just bought a used car?” Most people would say “I bought a new car” then go on to explain if it’s new (straight out of the factory) or used (having previous owners). This car is both new and used at the same time!

Many times we think of something new as never-been-used/seen, etc. or perhaps only recently developed. While this is the most common definition of the word, take a look at the second definition  “already existing, but seen, experienced, or acquired recently or now for the first time.” Anything old/used can still be new to you, and since you recently acquired the used car – it is also new. This suggests, as the old adage goes, that “anything old can be new again.”

This applies to goal setting. If you are still working on goals/resolutions from 2015 – guess what – It’s now 2016! You’re introducing your goals to a brand new year and making them new again. It’s a great time to reinvigorate life into your goals, or come up with entirely new ones.

It’s a new year. Time for a fresh start. No matter what your individual goal is, all us goal setters have one common goal – to be better than we were. To live each day as a new version of the person we were yesterday. A person who has yet to let the world experience what great new things they will do with each new day.

Let’s make this year a good year!

With Love,
Cristen

The holidays are in full swing and many people are rushing about from store to store trying to find that perfect gift for their loved ones and friends. But what makes the perfect gift? Let’s find out as we examine gift in this week’s edition of the Weekend Word.

gift
/ɡift/

noun
1. a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present.
2. a natural ability or talent.

verb
1. give (something) as a gift, especially formally or as a donation or bequest.

Gift giving has become an important part of our culture. Gifts are given at almost every major life event such as a birthday, graduation, wedding, housewarming, baby shower, etc. The winter holidays are one of the only holidays where gifts are presented. This is a tradition that dates back to the Roman ceremonies of Saturnalia. People would trade presents in hopes that their selfless good deed would bring about good fortune in the coming year.

This brings us back to the original question – what makes the perfect gift? Is it the amount of money spent? Is it ensuring that you buy exactly what they asked for? The answer varies from person to person. A mother may love a hand-made macaroni frame from their child more than receiving an expensive piece of jewelry. On the other hand, a girlfriend may enjoy a piece of jewelry from her beau instead of the macaroni frame. The key to buying the perfect gift isn’t the gift itself – it’s the symbol of love behind it.

Mother Theresa had this figured out when she said “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.”

What if I could provide you with a great gift idea that spreads the love two-fold? Increase your chances for good fortune by selflessly giving a gift that gives back. Hope for Hearts sells handmade Kambulagos (necklaces) that make a perfect gift for the fashion-forward, philanthropic person in your life. From friends & family to teachers, baristas or yoga instructors. Our handmade Kambulagos (necklaces) make a perfect small gift that makes a big impact.

Every purchase not only provides a gift to the recipient, but also gives the gift of opportunity and education to an orphan in Uganda. All proceeds from the necklaces help provide a hand up through education to the students at our schools. The recipient is bound to love it even more knowing that the purchase went to a great cause.

If you live in the Vegas area, you can pick them up at any Sin City Yoga location, or you can order them online here. Please note – it takes 2-4 weeks for delivery so you will need to order now to get it in time for Christmas!

Whatever gift you’re searching for this holiday season, I’m sure it will be perfect, as long as it’s chosen with love. And hopefully your altruistic giving will bring you good fortune in the coming year.

Wishing You Good Fortune,
Cristen

It’s Turkey Time! With Thanksgiving taking place this week, many families across the US will be gathering around the dinner table to gobble up some turkey with loved ones. As they’re passing the cranberry sauce, they’ll share all the things they are thankful for this year. From celebrating life events to expressing gratitude for the simple things – clothing, food and shelter – “Thankful” will be the talk of the country.

thank·ful
ˈTHaNGkfəl/
adjective

1. pleased and relieved.
2. expressing gratitude and relief.

Thanksgiving is a time to say remember all the things we are grateful for. We say thanks several times each day for the small things, such as holding a door open, receiving new business, a gift or compliment, etc. Saying “Thank You” has become a cultural norm, and some argue the world has lost its meaning.

I don’t believe it has. The root meaning of being thankful is “pleased and relieved” and expressing gratitude for anything that pleases or relieves us is still a powerful positive acknowledgement of what someone else has done for us. Even if you’re simply saying “Thanks” for the little things such as the store clerk handing you a receipt, or someone holding a door open for you, you are still “pleased and relieved” that they have helped in some small way. We can never say thank you enough. Life is a gift. Every experience we have is a gift. The fact that others are willing to share, or help aide us in that experience is a gift, and we must always say thank you when we receive that gift. A Thank You will never go un-wasted so long as the person says it and means it!

So as you sit around the Thanksgiving table this year, think long and hard about what you’re really thankful for. It could be as simple as having clothes on your back, a roof over your head. Perhaps you had a great life experience this year – a promotion, new job, marriage, a new baby. Be thankful for all that you have in life, and the people in it. Good and bad. Everyone who enters our lives gives us a better understanding of the world around us. Be thankful for all the experiences you’ve had and where you are going.

At Hope for Hearts, we are thankful for many things. We’re thankful for Father Muggaga and the nuns who help run the schools. We’re thankful for the students, who have chosen to work hard to create a better life, and in turn, creating a better world. And last but most certainly not least – we’re thankful for you!

I’d like to take this time to say Thank You, from the bottom of my heart, to you and all of our wonderful supporters of Hope for Hearts. Whether you’ve donated to our organization, helped spread the word about our mission or simply informed yourself via our blog – you are the reason we are able to do the good work we do.

With Many Thanks,
Cristen

The Lord of the Rings fans will be sure to recognize this popular quote from J.R.R. Tolkien…

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

Often misquoted, this phrase brings a lot of depth to the meaning of travel, or making a journey such as the Fellowship did in The Lord of the Rings story. Sometimes we may appear to be travelling nowhere, without aim, but there is always a purpose. The mere act of wandering leads to increased knowledge, and with that, we are always arriving at a new destination. As long as you travel, you will be rewarded.  

People are constantly traveling, spiritually and physically, especially during the holiday season. ‘Tis the season of visiting loved ones, making new year’s resolutions, etc. As you begin to make your holiday travel arrangements, pack bags, etc. I thought it would be appropriate to discuss the word travel in this week’s Weekend Word.

trav·el
ˈtravəl/
verb

1. 
make a journey, typically of some length or abroad.

The definition of travel is short, yet full of meaning. Typically when we think of the word travel, we think of the physical act of moving/visiting different locations “abroad”.  However, when you look at the definition, it also simply states “make a journey, typically of some length.” This suggests the journey doesn’t necessarily have to be physical. We are constantly making spiritual journeys as well.

Every time we take a step forward in life, set a new goal, learn something new, we are making the journey to a new destination.

Saint Augustine once said “The world is a book, and those who don’t travel only read one page.”

With this quote, he perfectly encapsulates the true meaning and goal of traveling.  Just like when you read a book, when you travel, you increase your knowledge. Vacations are not just about having fun, but consciously or subconsciously, you are also becoming more aware about the world around you. As you travel, you learn more about other cities, countries, cultures. However, learning doesn’t necessarily require visiting new locations. Learning can happen anywhere so long as you have the tools to do so.

You don’t have to travel to Uganda to learn about the country in which our students live in. You can gain that knowledge from reading books and websites (such as ours). Our students may have never travelled around the world, but they’re certainly learning about it in school. They’re taking a journey in their mind, travelling to their next destination in life. They are setting goals and taking a journey towards independence. It is our goal to give them the tools and resources they need to get there.

So where are you currently traveling?

Wishing You a Safe Journey,
Cristen