From unity to the self, the second principle that is celebrated during the Kwanzaa festival is Kujichagulia - self determination. Represented by the Ahenwa symbol, (the Akan Throne which is a symbol of national identity, cultural grounded-ness and rightful governance), this principle is all about internal work. It is the first of the red candles to be lit - the colour representing the struggle of the people. We all have experienced situations that have left us wishing that we had spoken up or done something to defend something that was important to us. Kujicagulia is about learning how to be the true you from a personal, emotional, spiritual and cultural position whilst also respecting and understanding the differences of others. Its a skill that requires a lot of practice and commitment and a proper understanding of who you are, alongside the confidence to stand true when challenged by others. When embraced fully, it is something that has the potential to give you a much deeper understanding of self, ancestors, cultural history and an appreciation and voice that would not be there without seeking that knowledge. So, todays challenge - lets make 2025 the year we really begin to look inside and stop worrying about the 'stuff' that we think makes us important. Lets take time to really understand our own histories, both familial and wider history, and truly start to pick apart who we are. Lets make 2025 the year that we find our voices and speak up about what we know is not right. Lets make it the year that we open ourselves up to understanding other cultures and peoples and not judging because their journey is not ours. Accepting that we are not all the same, and that each and every one of us is unique and beautiful is such a freeing concept to learn. After all, in the whole of time and space, there will only ever be one you... Happy Kujichagulia 😁 #Umoja #unity #selfdetermination #self #HappyKwanzaa #umojaday #kuumba #ujamaa #africa #nia #kujichagulia #ujima #imani #nguzosaba #history #africanamerican #singinganddancing #candles #festival #tradition #culture #kwanzaafestival #northumbrianmedicalsupplies #normedica #teamnormedica #principles #medicalsupplies #medicalsupplier #medical #nitrileglovesupplier
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Abloom wishing you all Happy Holi May this festival of colors bring joy, happiness, and vibrant celebrations into your life. Wishing you a colorful and delightful Holi! 🎨🌈 Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a famous Hindu festival celebrated mainly in India and Nepal. It marks the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. During Holi, people celebrate by smearing each other with colored powders and water, dancing, singing, and enjoying festive foods and drinks. It's a time for fun, friendship, and forgiveness as people unite to rejoice in unity and love. Visit our website: https://abloom.tech/ https://abloom.digital/ #ZOHO #ZohoOne #ZohoServices #Zohopartners #ZohoBooks #ZohoPeople #ZohoCliq #ZohoDesk #AbloomTech #AboutUs #ConnectNow #DigitalMarketing #DigitalMarketingSolutions #SmartSEO #DigitalMarketingHub #SMM #ORM #PPC #GMB #OnPageSEO #OffPageSEO #AbloomDigital #AboutUs #ConnectNow "
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#BuddhaJayanti Buddha's teachings, or Dharma, focus on the following key principles: 1. The Four Noble Truths. Recognize that life involves suffering (Dukkha), understand its cause (craving), realize it can end, and follow the path to its cessation (the Eightfold Path). 2. The Noble Eightfold Path. A practical guide to ethical and mental development comprising Right Understanding, Intention, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, and Concentration. 3. The Three Marks of Existence. Life is characterized by impermanence (Anicca), suffering (Dukkha), and the absence of a permanent self (Anatta). 4. The Five Precepts. Ethical guidelines to avoid killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants. 5. The Middle Way. A balanced approach to life, avoiding extremes of indulgence and self-denial. We humans find it so difficult to carve our way out of all the illusions and hypocrisy in this world.
Last year, I had the privilege of travelling to the Buddha’s birthplace of Lumbini, Nepal. This deeply inspiring visit re-affirmed my conviction that his timeless teachings of peace, compassion and service to others are the pathway to a better, more understanding and harmonious world for all. My best wishes to everyone celebrating #VesakDay.
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#politics Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, in her talk at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C. told the audience the UN, an institution founded by the United States and the United Kingdom after World War II, to supersede the League of Nations after World War I, is ineffective. The world, United Nations, and international law since the Iraq War waged by the United States and George W. Bush’s coalition of the willing in 2003 is at another Wilsonian League of Nations moment in history. I have had a long brush with the UN in my career. Haley is correct as to the UN’s ineffectiveness, besides of course its elitism, for the following reason. United Nations is not a world government. Most UN staff and leaders themselves do not understand this. They think a world government is needed and the UN is that. This is why the UN is not effective. A world government is not needed. UN is a forum to make and carry out the due processes of international law which then must be ratified by sovereign individual member country governments for the international laws to be effective. UN is akin to a global commons or a global legislature, and a global judiciary. The global executive is still the sovereign member nation. No sovereign member nation ever needs to give up its sovereignty to be a UN member. The UN does not need a military of its own. To execute, for example, the judgment of the UN judiciary such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague, judgments under international law similar to judgments by domestic court systems in any country, the world needs a coordinated global law enforcement mechanism which works with the domestic law enforcement mechanisms of its sovereign members. If any signatory member country citizens violate international law, the violators of the law must be held accountable to execute the sentence as in any domestic judiciary and law enforcement. If countries do not like this but like to think invading their neighbor or a world war or a nuclear war is a legal right under international law and not not waging war but dialog to resolve conflicts, then it is akin to saying I am going to steal my neighbor’s house and wife as my legal right when she does not want to leave her husband of her free will for me. Isn’t this all of military history in large measure? Share the spoils of pillage and rape with the muscle power of the strong man? Then every pretty woman on earth would be a part of Elon Musk’s and Arnie’s harem even when her heart is with her Romeo. Anglo-American world order says to the woman “stay with your Romeo in marriage but also be my mistress and bear my children too.” Russian world order wants to primitively steal the neighbor’s house and wife and kill the children. Both are coercive to the woman in question. Nobody is asking her what she prefers or giving her marriage and family counseling. War, military and economic, is tribalism. The point is civilization.
Last year, I had the privilege of travelling to the Buddha’s birthplace of Lumbini, Nepal. This deeply inspiring visit re-affirmed my conviction that his timeless teachings of peace, compassion and service to others are the pathway to a better, more understanding and harmonious world for all. My best wishes to everyone celebrating #VesakDay.
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This month, there are many holidays to celebrate, not just Christmas or Hanukkah. Kwanzaa, celebrated from December 26th to January 1st, is a week-long holiday honoring African heritage, culture, and values. Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa gets its name from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza", meaning "first fruits," referring to traditional African harvest celebrations. This holiday isn't tied to any specific religion, it is a cultural observance focused on community, family, and shared principles. Each day of Kwanzaa highlights one of seven principles, known as the Nguzo Saba, which include: Unity (Umoja) Self-determination (Kujichagulia) Collective work and responsibility (Ujima) Cooperative economics (Ujamaa) Purpose (Nia) Creativity (Kuumba) Faith (Imani) These principles serve as a guide for fostering connection, resilience, and empowerment. This holiday is also marked by the lighting of a kinara (a seven-branched candle holder), storytelling, music, dance, reflection, and communal feast on the last day. Celebrating Kwanzaa is an opportunity to honor the contributions of African culture to the world. Whether you celebrate or not, learning about and acknowledging Kwanzaa is a meaningful way to foster inclusivity during the holidays. Let’s take this time to appreciate the beauty of diverse traditions and the contributions they bring to our shared human experience. #MindfulInsights #MindfulnessWithSasha #holiday #holidays #holidayseason #holidaytime #holidayspirit #Kwanzaa #Africa #African #AfricanAmerican #Africanculture #Africanheritage #Africanvalues #inclusivity #inclusivitymatters #diversity #diversitymatters #diversityandinclusion #embracingdiversity #kindness #connection #reflection #mindfulness #traditions #culture #cultured #culturevulture #celebrations #multicultural #community https://wix.to/yK2l3EI
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🌟 Delving into the Haka Tradition with Anjanasinghwi's Insightful Analysis! 🌍 I recently explored a compelling study by Anjanasinghwi on the Haka, the powerful Maori tradition of New Zealand. Using the Circuit of Culture, this research provides an in-depth look at how the Haka extends far beyond its popular use in sports, revealing its profound cultural significance. 🕺💪 Originally a war dance, the Haka has evolved into a multifaceted expression of Maori identity, embodying courage, community history, and life-force. It graces everything from rugby games to weddings and funerals, symbolizing respect, celebration, and mourning. 🏉💔🎉 As the Haka finds its place in diverse global contexts, it prompts important discussions on cultural appropriation and the ethical engagement with sacred traditions. How can we honor such rich practices responsibly and respectfully? 🤔🌱 Anjanasinghwi's article invites us to appreciate the Haka not only for its physical intensity but also for its role in Maori cultural expression and identity reinforcement, emphasizing its significance in both traditional and contemporary settings. 🔥👁️ Let’s continue to explore and respect the profound layers of cultural practices like the Haka, acknowledging their origins and meanings. 🌐✨ Discover more about the Haka's impact on Maori and global cultures in Anjanasinghwi's detailed study here. https://lnkd.in/gvEXGw8M #Haka #MaoriCulture #CulturalSignificance #RespectTraditions #GlobalCulture 🌟📚
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@Nitaambani56 ji well done and well said. With every Samskaara like Naamakaran to Vivaaham, Vrata, Puja, Yaga n PitruKaarya, etc SanatanDharma gets renewed. Thats its beauty, power and eternity. None can destroy it. GowthamaBuddha, British, mughals, Athiests, communists failed. When live in relationships are consistently failing as the motto is to enjoy life not to serve the purpose of life as ordained by SanatanDharma, what the significant few do will be followed by many. Worth watching for all the Pros here: https://lnkd.in/gM2tHjwZ
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Habari Gani? Umoja, Celebrating Kwanzaa 3rd year The meaning is absolutely amazing and what we all need in our families and communities Will you join us? December 26: Unity (umoja) December 27: Self-determination (kujichagulia) December 28: Collective Work and Responsibility (ujima) December 29: Cooperative economics (ujamaa) December 30: Purpose (nia) December 31: Creativity (kuumba) January 1: Faith (imani) - On the first day of Kwanzaa, observers of the holiday honor Umoja (Unity). “The principle of Umoja (unity) speaks to our need to develop and sustain a sense of oneness, righteous and rightful togetherness in the small and large circles and significant relations of our lives, from family and friendship to community and the cosmos. It urges us to practice a principled and peaceful togetherness rooted in mutual respect; justice; care and concern; security of person; and equitably shared goods. And it calls on us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed, suffering and struggling peoples of the world in the cooperative achievement of these goods.” During Kwanzaa, participants greet one another with “Habari gani” which is Kiswahili for “how are you/ how’s the news with you?” The response is “Umoja, habari gani.” - Like the Jewish Hannukah, candles are used to represent concepts of the holiday and during the Kwanzaa ceremony, there are seven symbols displayed, representing the seven principles. The symbols of Kwanzaa include crops (mzao) which represents the historical roots of African-Americans in agriculture and also the reward for collective labor. The mat (mkeka) lays the foundation for self- actualization. - - #kwanzaa #family #unity #community #umoja #striblife #stribblethings #marriedlife #familyof8
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Many people might not be aware that this week alone, six different festivals have been celebrated across Malaysia. Malaysia’s rich tapestry of diversity is undoubtedly its most significant and invaluable asset. It is unique to this nation that we celebrate such an array of cultural and religious festivities. This week, the following festivals were observed: 🔅 Hari Raya Aidilfitri - marking the end of Ramadan. 🔅 Ugadi - the New Year’s Day for the people of the Deccan region of India. 🔅 Tamil New Year - traditionally known as Puthandu. 🔅 Vaisakhi - a historical and religious festival in Sikhism. 🔅 Vishu - the astronomical New Year festival in Kerala. 🔅 Songkran - the Thai New Year’s festival. The coexistence and interweaving of various races, cultures, and religious beliefs form a fundamental pillar of Malaysia’s identity. It is imperative that these elements be actively preserved and staunchly protected by all citizens to maintain the harmony and unity of the nation.
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Habari Gani? 🖤❤️💚 • Day 3 of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the principle of Ujima, which means collective work and responsibility. • Some ways to celebrate the principle of Ujima on the third day of Kwanzaa include: - Lighting a candle to symbolize a commitment to working together on shared interests. - Finding a project to work on together - Helping each other solve problems • • • • • • • • • • #promotingwellness #kwanzaa #day3 #PrioritizeYou #SelfWorkNeverEnds #selfcare #NotSelfish #Necessary #CantPourFromAnEmptyCup #God+Therapy=ABetterMe #Believe #faith #hope #thinkingpatterns #selftalk #copingmethods #attain #maintain #positivethoughts #positivebehaviors #positiveoutcomes #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #blackmentalhealthmatters #becomingabetterme💙
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We need a sustainable future
Last year, I had the privilege of travelling to the Buddha’s birthplace of Lumbini, Nepal. This deeply inspiring visit re-affirmed my conviction that his timeless teachings of peace, compassion and service to others are the pathway to a better, more understanding and harmonious world for all. My best wishes to everyone celebrating #VesakDay.
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