TRUE Essence of Christmas

    Everyone wants Christmas to be meaningful. Christmas is definitely the season for gifts and shopping. During Christmas, a lot of people go to malls to buy various gifts to be given to their friends and loved ones. People just need to spend more during Christmas season. The effect? – traffic jam, growing credit card debts, lots of to-do lists, etc. I came across to a different view about Christmas and it’s what they call the “Advent Conspiracy Movement“. It is a movement started by Rick McKinley, a pastor of Imago Dei in Portland, Oregon. It capitalizes on this feeling by encouraging people to “spend less” and “give more” which is the true essence of Christmas.

     The wisest man who ever lived said, "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving." Do you believe in this principle? If so, the perhaps you have wandered what kind of giving really produces that deep sense of happiness that eclipses receiving? Or have wondered what kind of giving is the most valuable. There are a lot of things to give but I came to think of seven avenues of giviing that can provide sense of happiness and satisfaction beyond the retailers bottom line. Honesty, Respect, Openness, Concern, Enthusiasm, Assistance and the most valuable one, Time. These things all come the heart. When you give from your heart, you put yourself in line to experience a deeply rewarding truth. There really is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving. 

    I guess with the current recession, this Advent Conspiracy Movement is appropriate for us. It goes by the line ”Love All, Spend Less, Give More.” The true essence of Christmas relies not on the gifts which commands you to spend more but on the love and unity that each one of us should build. Spend less on gifts and more on relationships! Merry Christmas everybody! :)

Together, We Can Stop Climate Change

     According to an analysis by NASA scientists, Earth's average temperature has increased about 1 degree Fahrenheit during the 20th century. What's the big deal?

      One degree may sound like a small amount, but it's an unusual event in our planet;s recent history. Earth's climate record shows that the global average temperature is stable over long periods of time. Furthermore, small changes in temperature correspond to enormous changes in the environment.

     Climate change is already beginning to transform life on Earth. Effects that scientists had predicted in the past would result to global climate change are now occurring: loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves. Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges ted have shifted and trees are flowering sooner. These are only some of the effects of climate change.

      Repeatedly, we hear or read the same suggestions as to what you can do to prevent or stop climate change. We can do something to solve this issue by conserving energy, planting trees, decreasing the use of air-conditions and many more. We should take responsibility of every action we make. In these simple ways, we can contribute in mitigating CLIMATE CHANGE.