Halloween

'Hallomas', or All Saints,' or 'All Souls' Day observed in old English; the word 'Hallow' meant 'sanctity' used to honor all Saints in Heaven known or unknown. They used to consider it with all solemnity as one of the most significant observances of the Church Year.

The American version of Halloween Day celebration owes its origin to the ancient (pre-Christian) Druidic fire festival called 'Samhain' celebrated by the Celts in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Samhain is pronounced 'Sow-in', with sow rhyming with cow. Thus most of the customs connected with the Day are remnants of the ancient religious beliefs and rituals, first of the Druids and then transcended amongst the Roman Christians who conquered them.
"Trick or treat' may be innocent fun to relish on Halloween Day. But just think about a bunch of frightening fantasies and the scary stories featuring ghosts, witches, monsters, evils, and animal sacrifices associated with it. Are these stories a myth or is there a blend of some reality? You decide!

FIRELIGHT

It’s night and yet in some eerie way,
It’s just as light as tho it were day.

I’ve heard there are goblins and witches about
And from what I’ve seen I have no doubt.

How else explain a night so weird,
The things that happen you view in fear.

You see a black cat run in flight,
Then by some magic snatched from sight.

Forms in human shape float around,
And if you listen close you hear a sound
That calls - come yonder to the firelight.

You want to explore but you’re in suspense
Then curiosity triumphs e’en tho you’re tense.

You see a broomstick on which to climb
Ignore the shivers running down your spine.

Suddenly you’re zooming thru the air
What possible reason could make you dare

O seek yonder lighted sky in haste?
What sort of witchery is taking place?

It’s a fire ablaze shooting flames to the sky
With a portion brewing in a kettle nearby.

You watch and listen for someone to tell
You all about this magic spell.

But as you wait the fire dies down
And darkness again descends on the town.

The goblins and witches fail to appear,
The magic eludes you until another year.

by Wilhelmine E. Mitchell

COMPASSION

Thursday, October 18, 2007 was the yearly Pastoral Care Banquet. Due to health reasons I was resigning as a volunteer after 10 years. The chaplains honored me with a few complimentary words and a dozen red roses. I was asked just why I volunteered with Pastoral Care. My thought was God was so good to me, I wanted to share that grace with someone else. Then again, I have been in the hospital so many times as a patient that I have real empathy, compassion for those in the hospital.

The dictionary defines compassion as "the deep feeling of sharing the suffering of another in the inclination to give aid or support or to show mercy." More than that, compassion is a vital virtue. No teacher has ever uttered words of such eternal value as Jesus, the prince of teachers, concerning compassion. No word of Christ reveals His heart's concern for human need so much as the word compassion. Whether it was his friend, Lazarus, or an alien Samaritan, a little child, or an aged cripple-he cared.

Compassion and helpfulness are kindred souls. It has been said that there is no exercise better for strengthening the heart then reaching down and lifting someone up. We must dedicate more time for Christ and keep our eyes open so He can show his thoughtfulness through us.
Many years ago Pope Leo XIII said: "No one is so poor as not to be useful in some way to his fellowman and the disposition to ask assistance from others with confidence and to grant it with kindness is part of our nature."

A wise man once said: "God is the best helper, but He loves to be helped."
Be earnest in prayer, but do not neglect human means, Spirit-led lives are ours when we ask.

COMPASSION

We are prone to take the blessings
We receive from day to day,
Without a word of 'thank you'
Till they pass away.
Let us express appreciation
For our blessings, come what may,
And try to be more worthy
Each and everyday.........for
Love is concern compassion
Shown for others less fortunate than you
The dirty, the ragged, the lost ones,
Red, yellow faces, yes, black ones, too.
To gain life is to lose it.
Another's burden you must share.
Love is gratitude in action,
To show that you really care.
If indeed you are grateful
For the blessings you enjoy,
You will show it in the things you do,
And how you are employed.
The more you have, the more you give,
This feeling you cannot supress.
You have to do something for someone.
To express your thankfulness.

by Wilhelmine E. Mitchell

Happiness

I recently heard Steve Blow talk on the subject, happiness, taking references from a book by Dr. Seligman. What I remember most was the statement: "Live in the present and do those things that help others; the end result will bring you gratification." It started me thinking - just what is happiness.

Happiness is the one thing that almost everyone is seeking. Many search in vain, but only a small number have actually attained it. A great Philosopher once wrote: Happiness is neither within us or without us; it is the union of ourselves with God.

However, a more practical man said: Happiness consists of the attainment of our desires and in our having only right & justifiable desires.

It is difficult to explain just what happiness is, but it can certainly be considered a habit which is worth cultivating. The Boy Scout Motto says: "Do a good turn daily." Be as concerned about bringing happines to others as you are to yourself. When you bring happiness to others, it rubs off on yourself, making it the by-probuct of your efforts to make someone else happy.

A quote from Norman Vincent Peale: "The way to happiness is to keep your heart free from worry, live simply, expect little, give much, scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others."

Socrates said, "Know Thyself." Here are some pertinent points made by Dr. Frank Caprio , published in the National Inquirer several years ago:
1. Give yourself a daily mistake allowance
2. Find something that's lovable about yourself
3. Find a few kind words for someone else
4. Find something good to admire in others
5. Find something to laugh about
6. Find something to celebrate
7. Find a challange
8. Find something useful to do for someone else

There are many worthwhile causes in all communities in which to volunteer your time & talents thus having the gratification of helping someone else.

Finally, if you see someone without a smile, give that person yours - it is contagious. Remember the grouch here at Chambrel that I referred to in an article titled 'Act or React.' Well, I have been smiling at him every morning and saying a cheery good morning and he is smiling back! I found the following words of insight, printed in the Dallas Morning News several years past, written by the Rev. Blair Monie, who was at that time pastor of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. He used these words in a sermon.

One smile begins a friendship;
One bird can herald the spring;
One song speaks a moment;
One star guides a ship;
One candle wipes out the darkness;
One laugh dispels the gloom;
One touch shows you care;
One word begins a prayer;
One note can change a nation;
One life can make a difference!

I'll end with my favorite quote on happiness by Dr. Norman M. Bradbury: "Happiness is when the positive satisfactions outweigh the negative experiences."