Some Traditions are Great! - And Some are Not

Not all traditions are bad. Of course of study they're not. Some traditions are what maintain our households glued together. But in businesses, in churches, even in families, tradition just for the interest of tradition can be bad. Knowing why we take part in traditions is important, especially when they are company, Christian church or other organisation traditions. But even household traditions should be examined to see if they are hurtful or helpful.

Dictionary.com listings many definitions of the word tradition. They include: "the handling down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information from coevals to generation, especially by word of oral cavity or by practice; a long-established or inherited mode of thought or acting; a continuing form of civilization beliefs or practices; a customary or characteristic method or manner; a theology."

Where I believe we acquire into problem is when traditions include the continuing of a manner of thought or a cultural belief where there is credence without thought through why the tradition bes or how it began. To me, such as mindless credence is why there is still bias and discrimination. Prejudice, after all, is "An harmful judgement or sentiment formed beforehand or without cognition or scrutiny of the facts." By accepting an action or thought procedure as traditional, it is easy to see how it could go a damaging enactment as well.

But household traditions, traditions that encompass the enactment of being together in celebration, can be merriment and beneficial. One of my ses have some very particular Christmastide traditions established many old age ago when her girls, now about 19 and 23, were young. They held a cooky exchange each twelvemonth for their friends and each of their mothers. What merriment they had, and what a great mixture of cookies they received each twelvemonth because of this event.

My sister also purchases particular Christmastide decorations each twelvemonth for her daughters. When her firstborn got married, she had quite an unusual mixture to take with her as she established her ain place and traditions.

My sister also sets a pickle decoration on her ain tree each year. I'm not certain to which fable she ascribes about the pickle ornament. Both are supposedly German in origin. One states that the kid who happens the pickle decoration will have an other present. The other states that the kid will have good luck or good fortune in the twelvemonth to come.

The Internet is full of mentions to this supposed German tradition. However, here's a nexus to an article by About.com disclaiming this German myth. http://german.about.com/library/blgermyth11.htm

While it's interesting to detect that the original ground my sister placed the pickle decoration on the tree might be in error, I doubt she will stop the practice. It have go a household tradition, even if the premise of the beginning is incorrect.

In this instance, the beginning of the tradition doesn't really substance because the enactment of placing a pickle decoration on the Christmastide tree doesn't ache anyone. But traditions steeped in mistake that are or can be hurtful are the 1s we must examine.

Recently, I received an electronic mail from 48 Days. 48 Days is a coaching, seminar and self-help company with programmes to change your life in 48 days. In the weekly newsletter, Dan Glenn Miller mentioned a narrative from ThinkerToys by Michael Michalko.

It said, "Imagine a coop containing five monkeys. Inside the coop there is a banana tree on a string. Before long a monkey walks over and attains for the banana. As soon as he touchings the banana, all the monkeys are sprayed with cold water. After a piece another monkey do an effort to catch the banana tree ? with the same result. All the monkeys are instantly sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey seeks to attain for the banana, the other monkeys will seek to halt him.

Now bury the cold water. Remove 1 monkey from the coop and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana tree and obviously travels over and starts to catch it. But to his surprise, all of the other monkeys onslaught him to forestall him from touching the banana.

Next, take another of the original monkeys and replace it with a new one. Now all of the monkeys currently in the coop halt the new 1 from getting to the banana. Replace the third, 4th and 5th monkeys with new 1s Each 1 goes a willing opposition to allowing anyone to touch that banana.

Soon there are none of the original monkeys in that cage, yet they go on to remain away from bananas, a nutrient they would normally love.

This is what haps to us when we blindly follow traditions of companies, churches, organizations. There are sometimes brainsick activities that we go on to follow without giving any idea to the grounds behind them.

Dan Glenn Miller continues, "Does your Christian church sit down in pews, sing 3 songs and have got a 30 minute discourse because that's the best manner to finish God's work here, or just because that's go a cultural tradition?"

I smiled as I read that question. The Christian church I go to have unit of ammunition tabular arrays instead of pews. We imbibe java and eat doughnuts while we listen to the sermon, and the unit of ammunition tabular arrays supply a perfect surface for taking short letters and for visiting quietly with our neighbors.

Our curate bucked tradition from the beginning. He arrived at the Christian church 23 old age ago with a guitar in tow. He used "media" in his Christian church services when that mean value using 8mm movies and microscope slide projectors and operating expense projectors. Now, of course, he utilizes computing machines and large screens, and our congratulations squad and the "pulpit" have got the up-to-the-minute sound equipment. And lest you believe otherwise, ours is not a mega-church. We have, at most, 200 members and our curate is the lone paid staff member. Although our Christian church is United Methodist, the mark outside states Capital Of Oregon Community Church. Still, there are new traditions in the thick of one who Rebels against many traditions. I doubt that those unit of ammunition tabular arrays will be removed while this curate presides over the church. He have established that as a Christian church tradition.

While thought about unusual traditions, I thought about the gag about the female parent who was instruction her adolescent girl to cook the "traditional" jambon for a household vacation dinner. Rich Person you heard this one?

The female parent was preparing the jambon and she cut off the end of it and set it aside to utilize for sandwiches. She spoke to her girl about how to season the jambon and when to add the pineapple plants to the pan. She saw that her daughter's human face was all scrunched up in confusion.

"What?" asked the mom.

"Why did you cut off the end of the ham?" inquired the daughter.

"Weeeeellllll......" stammered the mom. "I'm not really sure. My female parent always cut off the end of the ham. Maybe it doesn't cook up as well. Grandma will be here tonight for dinner and we'll inquire her."

When Grandma arrived, and before she could even acquire her coat off, her granddaughter excitedly said, "Grandma, Ma is instruction me how to do the ham. Why did you cut off the end of the ham? Ma didn't know."

Grandma allow out a loud abdomen laugh. "Why, dear, I cut off the end of the jambon because I couldn't suit it in the pan if I didn't. I liked using the pan I got from my mother, but it was never quite large adequate for the size jambon I got. So I cut off the tip."

What about you? Are you cutting off the end of the jambon without knowing why?

As Dan Glenn Miller said, "Take the adjacent 7 years to dispute all your day-to-day assumptions. You may be surprised how you can bring out some readily available fresh, dainty banana trees right within your reach!"

Here's a nexus to the whole newsletter referenced above: http://www.48days.com/newsletter_archives/archive.php?date=20070918 If you read it, be certain to take short letter of Cindy Cashman's book Everything Work Force Know About Women. I believe you'll acquire a boot out of how originative Cindy was 20 old age ago when this book first published. As Dan Glenn Miller says, you might think, "Why didn't I believe of that?"

That Elusive Dream Of World Peace

World Peace is that elusive dreaming of so many! Are it possible? Yes! It is not only possible but it will be a world given the right conditions! What are these conditions? Let me explain.

God revealed something critical concerning this. Bend in your Book to Isaiah Chapter 2 - This is what Isaiah saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

This adult male of Supreme Being - this oracle - this mouthpiece for Supreme Being - sees what Supreme Being uncovers - talks about it - and composes it down - for all to read and larn and know.

Sometimes the Prophets look at State Of Israel with a microscope, pointing out their sinfulnesses faults and failings, which at modern times were serious. At other modern times the Prophets saw a glorious twenty-four hours coming, and that is the content of these gap poetries of Isaiah 2.

It is as if Isaiah is using a telescope, and he sees something afar off - at least two and a one-half thousand old age away - because what we are reading of here have not yet happened. But we can read of what is yet to go on - and we never cognize how soon that volition be.

Isaiah sees this prophetic image of what is yet to go on - and this literally intends - "to divide open" or - "to cleave through and expose". The vision which Supreme Being gave Isaiah allowed him to see into, and acquire beyond the surface and the superficial, to the existent nature of the situation.

What Isaiah sees is singular - World Peace and Disarmament. Many of the jobs with which our human race leadership and presidents and politicians are presently grappling - Isaiah sees the solution in this vision from God.

We are reading of a vision concerning the last days. This have yet to take place. We larn something of the significance of Israel, and Capital Of Israel in particular.

God's purpose is to learn all people His Way - so that they may walk in His Paths.

Isaiah sees a scope of mounts - the hills and mounts of Judaea - with Capital Of Israel in the Centre - and one mountain that was comparatively low is now higher. It lifts and stands above the others. The mountain on which the Temple stand ups can now be seen - high and lifted up - it is above all the other mountains. It is as if this mountain grows. The Temple of Supreme Being is lifted up for all to see, and a river of world is flowing to this mountain

Isaiah is seeing something which is going to go on in the future, and he sees it clearly. This is the adult male who prophesies so much which have already come up true. This is the adult male who prophesied about State Of Israel being taken prisoner and then returning to this land. This is the adult male who prophesied about the approaching of Jesus Of Nazareth into the world.

What he sees concerns Israel. It is centred upon Capital Of State Of State Of Israel - and it affects us.

When Israel is in the news and when the world's attending is being focused upon Israel, you can presume that Godhead Supreme Being is doing something important behind the scenes and the headlines.

When will all this happen? That volition be dealt with in the adjacent article but the short reply is - when Jesus Of Nazareth Jesus come ups back to this world! Brand no error about that. That volition happen!

Sandy Shaw

Western Union Foundation Donates $50,000 to Habitat for Humanity Toward Relief Efforts in Tabasco, Mexico

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To assist the inundation victims in the State of Tabasco, Mexico, the Western
Union Foundation today donated $50,000 to Habitat for Humanity.

Additionally, for people wishing to direct money to their households
and friends, The Horse Opera Union Company (NYSE: WU) will supply zero
transportation fee consumer-to-consumer Western Union Money Transfer®
minutes sent from participating Agent locations in the U.S. to
Tabasco Sauce until Nov. 30, 2007. In improver to the transportation fee, Horse Opera
Union also do money when it changes your dollars into pesos.

The Western Union Foundation also is encouraging employee contributions
through the Western Union Employee Gift Matching Program. The Western
Union Foundation will fit registered employee contributions to Habitat for
World on a one-for-one basis, up to $25,000.

“The inundations in Tabasco Sauce and neighbour
communities have got left one thousands of households without adequate imbibing
water, food, medical specialty and a topographic point to name home,”
said Luella Carlos Chavez D’Angelo, president, The
Western Union Foundation. “Through Habitat for
Humanity, the finances will be used to assist with rebuilding attempts
in support of households and children most affected.”

Habitat for World is a planetary home-building motion comprising more than than
than 2,300 affiliates worldwide, state support organisations
and national organisations in more than 90 countries. Completing a place
somewhere in the human race every 21 minutes, Habitat constructs nearly 26,000
places worldwide per year.

“We are thankful for Horse Opera Union’s
generousness and aid in the human face of the worst catastrophe to impact
United Mexican States in the last decades,” said Mario
Flores, manager of the catastrophe response business office for Habitat for
World International. “This gift will
properly reconstruct the places of households who have got lost everything, helping
them back on the route to recovery. Our concerted attempts focusing on
rebuilding places and transforming lives.”

The Western Union Foundation grant is portion of Our World, Our Family, a
company enterprise to authorise migrator households through instruction and
planetary economical chance programmes that aid them remain connected,
defeat barriers, and recognize their dreams.

About Habitat for World International

Habitat for World International is an ecumenical Christian ministry
that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of
eliminating poorness housing. Since its initiation in 1976, Habitat have
built more than than than 250,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, nice and
low-cost shelter for more than 1 million people. For more than information,
visit .

About The Western Union Foundation

The Western Union Foundation began in 2000 as a philanthropic
organisation to ease charitable giving programmes worldwide. Through
the contributions of the Western Union Company, its employees and Agents,
the Foundation assists to fund programmes that heighten the quality of life
for those most in demand around the world.

Since 2001, the Horse Opera Union Foundation, in coaction with Western
Union Agents and employees, have granted nearly $40 million to more than than
1,500 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 70 states around the
Earth to back up human-centered projects. In addition, the Foundation have
supported more than than 50 disaster-relief trading operations and have funded
instruction and human services programs.

About Horse Opera Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in planetary
money-transfer services. Together with its affiliates, Orlandi Valuta,
Vigo and Pago Fácil, Horse Opera Union supplies
consumers with fast, dependable and convenient ways to direct and have
money around the world, as well as direct payments and purchase money
orders. It runs through a web of more than than 320,000 Agent
locations in over 200 states and territories. Famous for its
pioneering telegraphy services, the original Western Union days of the month back to
1851. For more than information, visit .

WU-G

Sierra Leone: Western Union On Scholarship Promotions - AllAfrica.com

Bhoyy JallohFreetown

Agents for Horse Opera Union Money Transportation in Sierra Leone have got got concluded a joint end-of-year back-to-school raffle draw that offerings thirty scholarships to primary school pupils.

Pupils whose parents have been collecting or sending money through Union Trust Depository Financial Institution (UTB) and Standard Chartered Depository Financial Institution (SCB) courtesy of Horse Opera Union qualified for the pulls for minutes done between September 24 and October and 23 this year.

Thirty out of the 100s who sent and received money during the said time periods won Le500, 000 each to back up their children in school.

Relevant Links

Mr. Turay of UTB said Horse Opera Union is the most dependable international agency of money transportation and that the scholarship publicities are portion of its societal corporate responsibility.

"UTB started operating the money transportation system in 1995 and was later joined by SCB in 2006. There will also be another publicity for the aged which come ups up in December," he said.

Those who graced the juncture at the Queen Victoria Park won respective other solace prizes.