The rare alignment of special days in Christianity and Judaism sublimely accentuates the shared theme of light triumphing over darkness. In 200 BC, Judah Maccabee’s liberation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem marked the beginning of Hanukkah’s eight-day celebration. It wasn’t until Constantine’s victory in 336 AD that the birth of Jesus began to be celebrated as Christmas. Over time, Christmas integrated ancient pagan traditions, evolved through periods of religious refinement, and increasingly commercialized, all while maintaining its spiritual essence and growing appeal to a larger secular audience worldwide.

Amidst the sanctity of individual beliefs, this season of Chrismukkah brings us together with a shared focus on love, family, and friendship. Let’s continue to marvel at the power of love during this wondrous time.

May the warmth of this season keep us cozy throughout the year, and may the new year bring you more of what you cherish. Let my wishes be blessed in your favor, bringing health, happiness, and prosperity.

– Brij

Today is the Winter Solstice – the shortest day of the year and the official start of winter. I love the winter solstice, doesn’t everyone? My reason is because the days start getting longer and I diligently jot down the sunrise and sunset times on my calendar.

Let’s read a beautiful poem by Susan Cooper – The Shortest Day

So the shortest day came, and the year died,
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen,
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing, behind us — listen!
All the long echoes sing the same delight
This shortest day
As promise wakens in the sleeping land.
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends, and hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year, and every year.
Welcome Yule!

To read more click: https://sonyachristianblog.com/2024/12/21/merry-christmas-happy-hanukkah-happy-winter-solstice-2024/

– sonya

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– brij

The other day, I turned sixty-five, 
Longevity endures, yet missing the vibe. 
Boundless zeal, and lofty dreams past, 
Life consumed much, all seems so vast. 

Ahead lies a path with passion astray, 
Direction lost, no compass to display. 
Resolute mind guided the first sixty-five, 
Now to dig deep, to thrive and survive. 

A brief sabbatical, pause to reflect, 
Then back in the saddle, to introspect. 
Hit the Drive with courage anew, 
Embrace the journey, skies wide and blue. 

With wisdom gathered from years gone by, 
Seek new heights, let the spirit fly. 
For life’s not finished; adventures await, 
In every heartbeat, there’s time to create. 

With each dawn’s promise, embrace the ride, 
Forge ahead with hope and pride. 
For age is but a number in time’s gentle hand, 
Setting the stage for life’s grandstand.

– brij

Halloween has its roots in the timeless Celtic tradition, celebrated as the festival of Samhain.

As the harvest season yields to the chill of the approaching winter, spirits roam free, and the veil between the living and the dead becomes thin. Towering bonfires were lit to ward off wandering evil spirits and to guide the souls seeking the afterlife.

Diwali is the celebration of good over evil and light over darkness. It is a time celebrated with love, light, and family. Diwali embodies the soul of India; regardless of one’s adherence to sacred texts such as the Ramayana, Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Quran, or the Bible, Diwali emphasizes unity and togetherness. It commemorates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya and the restoration of a just empire.

The merging of Diwali and Halloween brings together the East and the West in a warm embrace that bridges dark gaps with paths illuminated by light.

Happy Diwaliween! Let love prevail.

– brij

On June 26, at 915 am, three friends who went to med school in 1976 ascended the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, aka the roof of Africa.

It was a seven-day expedition. Now, sleep-deprived, unkempt, unshaved, unwashed, the three hobo-looking friends, emanating aromas that obligate nose pinching, exhausted but satisfied in the results are heading back to the civilization for re-assimilation, cleansing, hosing and other creature comforts.

Serengeti tomorrow.

Photos and more later

– brij

Lava flows and fertile land follows
Hatred similarly to love allows
The heat, the combustion, the fire
Is what it takes for life to transpire

The essence of being,
the eternal question of life
Let me share
how falling water can midwife

The perky waters of Yosemite Creek
Dance and frolic in nature’s embrace
The joy unbound and quirks astray
Plunging the precipice, Grace all the way

In the midst of turbulent constraints
Untroubled waters oblivious to restraints
Slipshod off the precipice
In an envious, blissful place
In a symphony of joy,
reaching for the sky

Forgetting to fall, Falls rise, in a pixie mist
Hanging, suspended, in a mystical twist
Everywhere at once, an ethereal dance
Captivating in it’s mystical trance

Rises as it falls, cloaked in the mystery of Heavenly fogs
Gravity squirms, a curious witness to a novel chaos
A quantum manifestation in its amorphous transformation
Superpositioned, everywhere all at once
Riveted, yet alive to whispers of dewy splash

The thunderous melody takes the soul to soar
Waves of misty clouds dance to a mighty roar
Mesmerized minds, and salivating sights
Made-to-order memories for future delights

The Middle Cascades catch the falling magic
Charming in their rivulets and falling wonders
The waters coalesce once more
In a final leap to enchant the eager eyes

Part of me is with you reveling in splendor
Part of you is in me, in bliss and rapture

O’ Ye the mighty Yosemite Falls
You are a sight to behold
An eternal beauty that enthralls
All who witness, yearn once more,
O’mighty Yosemite
Encore!

– Brij

Another wonderful action packed week.. testified at the Senate Fiscal Committee …
and Bessie came to visit.

Read more at https://sonyachristianblog.com/2024/04/27/recognizing-alternative-forms-of-learning/

– sonya

This week, I traveled down to San Diego again. This time for the ASU GSV conference.

Check out this 30-sec video of the Coronado Bridge, the water, and 2 men fishing.

I took the ferry back-and-forth to the conference site at the convention center.

At the conference, I joined ASU President Michael Crow & Silicon Valley Community Foundation President Nicole Taylor for a Sunstage X Coffee session to discuss the revolution in education & learning technology for California learners.

Read more at https://sonyachristianblog.com/2024/04/20/san-diego-whats-not-to-like/

– sonya

Check out this photo collage (less than 5-min) video of the first 6 months of Vision 2030:

*****

This week started with a Monday holiday honoring Cesar Chavez. After that, it was another busy week of travel!

On Tuesday, I joined fellow members of the Governor’s Council for Career Education to visit Sierra College’s workforce programs. Before the Council meeting the First Partner swung by to do a tour of the mechatronics program.

Read more at https://sonyachristianblog.com/2024/04/06/first-six-months-of-vision-2030/

– sonya