#the power of gratitude

[cosmichighpriestess]

Remaining in that state of gratitude and appreciation will, again, guide you and accelerate you in your life where synchronicity can open up in miraculous and magical ways - by staying in that state of appreciating all the connections you have, all the things in your life, all of the people all of the experiences, everything that you DO have, that you DO experience that comes into your life.

-Bashar

[cmcsmen]

The (Second Sunday of Advent) Weekly CMCSMen Blog and Man Moment Message.

What is the Meaning of the Jesse Tree Mentioned on Day 8?

* The Second Sunday of Advent is December 8th, 2024, and the Church is preparing for the coming of Christ at Christmas. * The theme of the day is "Prepare the way of the Lord" and to make straight His paths, as quoted by St. John the Baptist. * The Church is praying for the hearts of believers to be awakened to prepare the way for Christ's coming. * The readings for the day include Baruch 5:1-9, Philippians 1:4-6; 8-11, and Luke 3:1-6, which emphasize the importance of preparing for Christ's coming and being ready to meet Him. * The Church is also celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, which is transferred to December 9th. * The day's reflection emphasizes the need to humble ourselves, admit our sins, and turn to God with gratitude and repentance in order to receive mercy and live a new year as grateful children of God.

The Jesse Tree is a Christian tradition that originated in the Middle Ages. It is a way of retelling the story of salvation history, from the promise of God to David to the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Jesse Tree is named after Jesse, the father of King David, who is mentioned in the Bible as the ancestor of Jesus (Isaiah 11:1). The tree is often depicted as a large tree with branches that represent the different generations of Jesus' family.

On each day of Advent, a new symbol or ornament is added to the tree, representing a different aspect of the story of salvation. These symbols can be objects, animals, or people from the Bible, and they are often linked to a specific scripture reading or theme.

On Day 8 of the Jesse Tree, the symbol is Jacob, which represents the continuation of God's promise to David and the eventual birth of Jesus. The Jesse Tree is a way of retelling the story of salvation in a visual and engaging way, and it can be a meaningful way to prepare for Christmas and reflect on the significance of Jesus' birth.

Here are some of the symbols that are typically used on the Jesse Tree:

* Day 1: Jesse, the father of King David * Day 2: David, the king who was promised a descendant who would rule forever * Day 3: Solomon, David's son who built the Temple in Jerusalem * Day 4: Isaiah, the prophet who foretold the coming of a messiah * Day 5: Jeremiah, the prophet who warned of the coming judgment and the need for repentance * Day 6: Ezekiel, the prophet who saw visions of the future and the restoration of Israel * Day 7: The prophet Micah, who foretold the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem * Day 8: Jacob, the ancestor of Jesus and the father of the 12 tribes of Israel * Day 9: The angel Gabriel, who announced the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary * Day 10: The Virgin Mary, who said "yes" to God's plan and became the mother of Jesus * Day 11: The shepherds, who were the first to hear the news of Jesus' birth * Day 12: The Magi, who followed the star to find Jesus and worship him as king

Each day's symbol is meant to be a reminder of the story of salvation and the promise of God to send a savior to the world.

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Catholic Man Moment Message:

This Weeks Message: The Power of Gratitude.  Being thankful can be a powerful tool in overcoming life's obstacles.

In the journey of life, we often encounter winding roads filled with challenges that may seem insurmountable. Yet, it is in these very moments that embracing gratitude becomes our guiding light. Those who find success amidst adversity are not only resilient but also adept at transforming their struggles into stepping stones toward growth. They choose to surround themselves with a supportive community, seeing the silver lining in each setback. When we shift our focus from the weight of our problems to the grace of a higher power, we begin to witness small victories each day, illuminating our path as though a reassuring glow beckons us forward. So, when faced with choices, let us consciously choose the path of being, grateful for the lessons learned and the opportunities that arise from every twist and turn.

"The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us every day in His goodness."

--€“ St. Gianna Beretta Molla

Gospel - Lk 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,  when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,  and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis,  and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene,  during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,  the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,  proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,  as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:     A voice of one crying out in the desert:     “Prepare the way of the Lord,         make straight his paths.     Every valley shall be filled         and every mountain and hill shall be made low.     The winding roads shall be made straight,         and the rough ways made smooth,     and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

“As the journey of Advent continues, as we prepare to celebrate the nativity of Christ, John the Baptist's call to conversion sounds out in our communities. It is a pressing invitation to open our hearts and to welcome the Son of God Who comes among us to make divine judgement manifest. The Father, writes St. John the Evangelist, does not judge anyone, but has entrusted the power of judgement to the Son, because He is the Son of man.

“And it is today, in the present, that we decide our future destiny. It is with our concrete everyday behavior in this life that we determine our eternal fate. At the end of our days on earth, at the moment of death, we will be evaluated on the basis of our likeness or otherwise to the Baby Who is about to be born in the poor grotto of Bethlehem, because He is the measure God has given humanity.

“Through the Gospel John the Baptist continues to speak down the centuries to each generation. His hard clear words bring health to us, the men and women of this day in which even the experience and perception of Christmas often, unfortunately, reflects materialist attitudes. The 'voice' of the great prophet asks us to prepare the way for the coming Lord in the deserts of today, internal and external deserts, thirsting for the water of life which is Christ.”

—Pope Benedict XVI

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What is the Significance of the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception?

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic feast day that commemorates the belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without sin. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, which is ordinarily celebrated on Sunday, December 8, is transferred to December 9, and is a Holy Day of Obligation.

The Immaculate Conception is a dogma of the Catholic Church, which means that it is a doctrine that is considered to be a fundamental truth of the faith. The dogma states that Mary was preserved from the stain of original sin from the moment of her conception, and that she was born without sin.

The significance of the Immaculate Conception can be understood in several ways:

1. Mary's role as the mother of God: The Immaculate Conception emphasizes Mary's role as the mother of Jesus, who is the Son of God. It highlights her importance as the one who carried and gave birth to the Savior of the world.

2. Mary's sinlessness: The Immaculate Conception teaches that Mary was sinless from the moment of her conception. This means that she was free from the stain of original sin, which is the sin that all humans inherit from Adam and Eve.

3. Mary's role as a model for Christians: The Immaculate Conception presents Mary as a model for Christians, who are called to live a life of holiness and sinlessness. It encourages Catholics to strive for spiritual perfection and to imitate Mary's virtues.

4. The significance of the feast day: The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a celebration of Mary's sinlessness and her role as the mother of God. It is a time for Catholics to reflect on their own sinfulness and to seek forgiveness and spiritual growth.

In the context of the Catholic Church, the Immaculate Conception is also seen as a way of understanding the mystery of Mary's role in salvation history. It highlights her importance as the one who gave birth to Jesus, who is the Savior of the world.

Here are some key points about the Immaculate Conception:

* The Immaculate Conception is a dogma of the Catholic Church, which means that it is a fundamental truth of the faith. * The Immaculate Conception teaches that Mary was conceived without sin from the moment of her conception. * The Immaculate Conception emphasizes Mary's role as the mother of Jesus and her importance in salvation history. * The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8th, nine months before Christmas Day. * The Immaculate Conception is a time for Catholics to reflect on their own sinfulness and to seek forgiveness and spiritual growth.

[awiseandhappylife]

The Power of Gratitude

Discover The Power of Gratitude to improve mental health, and reduce anxiety and depression. Start your journey towards a more positive, fulfilled life today!

[divine-nonchalance]

Thank you Universe for supporting me on this journey of being a successful artist. Thank you All That Is for letting me be at the right place, at the right time, always. Thank you Great One for keeping me safe, for giving me an awesome gardian angel. Thank you Divine Infinity for keeping my family and my friends and lovers healthy, happy and safe. Thank you Source for letting my life be joyful, beautiful, blissful, easy and nice.

[readerviews]

"The Power of Gratitude" by Patrick M. Garry

A personal look into a life well lived through gratefulness, but also a nostalgic look at a bygone US era. #books #bookreview #reading #readerviews

The Power of Gratitude Patrick M. GarryResource Publications (2023)ISBN 978-1666765908Reviewed by Susan Violante for Reader Views (02/2024) “The Power of Gratitude: Charting a Path Toward a Joyous and Faith-Filled Life” by Patrick M. Garry is a beautiful homage to his beloved parents’ lives, as well as to a time in history when life was experienced a moment at a time. On the other hand, it is…

[youtubevideopromotion]

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[bet-on-me-13]

City Spirits awaken.

So! City Spirts are basically God's sustained by the people in their Cities. Some are Gods born from the belief and people of a City, others are God's who Bind themselves to Cities to sustain themselves in periods of low worship.

Almost all Major Population Centers have some kind of City Spirit bound to them.

The Personification of Los Angeles who slept with Constantine was born from her City, but she was young and weak compared to other City Spirits.

Lady Gotham is an Ancient Spirit who holds immense Power, but purposefully bound herself to the new and growing city of Gotham so she could sleep for a few millenia without worrying about sustaining Worship. She has been asleep for Centuries.

Actually, most City Spirits are Asleep.

Millenia Ago, the most powerful Gods and Spirits of the Infinite Realms fled the Rule of Pariah Dark. They didn't agree with his ambitions to conquer the Living Realm, and didn't want to let him use their Power against the Living Realm either.

So they Bound themselves to newly forming Cities and put themselves into Deep Sleep to avoid his Control. They have been asleep for Millenia now, waiting for the day Pariah would be overthrown so they could return to the Infinite Realms safely.

Then they day came. A New King was Crowned.

And the Cities began to wake up.

[mohntilyet]

waiting impatiently for more info on the lords of fortune + drawing a tarot for my rook in the meantime :)

[elisabethdeep-blog]

Gotta make a post about my best DunMeshi neurospicy boi

Lotta content out there about Laios' autistic traits but where o where is the Senshi rep?

Senshi's dedication to Dungeon trophic systems makes Laios' special interest look like a well-thumbed pamphlet. (Granted Senshi has had significantly longer to cook; Laios is a baby).

Senshi's limited emoting is baked-in to his character model- that thousand yard stare, most of his face occluded by his habitual helmet (masked, even...... How many folks pine for covid masks obviating the need to manage their faces constantly?)

He overheard someone mention his special interest and Walked Right Up to a Group of Strangers to brazenly asplain them a thing. Marcille makes a bridge-mending bid regarding the mosses in the scorpion hotpot (after her previous truculent outbursts) and he totally deadpans her, because he didn't even notice.

He is VERY COMMITED to his ethical position on dungeon ecology. More than once he's disrupted Marcille Right at the point of release of a spell, after she's been chanting for like a paragraph, because she's going to contravene some principle of his.

Also

Speaking of Marcille, he demonstrates some pretty rigid, black-and-white thinking around magic, that doesn't seem internally consistent. He's repeatedly reanimating magical constructs (golems), an explicitly controlled magical act, but is Very Very reluctant to submit to being charmed with WaterWalk; his spoken reasoning about this just doesn't hold water.

Oh and he's totally neglected his personal hygiene for basically ever. He's averse to cleaning up for the sake of being bespelled, but other than magic, seems fine with getting the salon treatment. This isn't a Toph Beifong 'protective layer of earth', he's just forgotten to care about not being covered with monster gore.

PDA? The fellow has one (1) social skill, namely, he exercises any discretion on opening his mouth to argue. But that holds him back exactly NONE when he decides he's done listening. The first time we see this is gathering Mandrakes, when he doesn't SAY he's done with Marcille's opinions, but he Does just go ahead and exercise his damn autonomy. a MUCH stronger example is when Chilchuck is guiding them through the trap rooms. Senshi gets roundly (and rightly!) chewed out by Chilchuck, and his response isn't the sensible 'sorry Chilchuck, maybe I could walk more directly behind you so I can more closely match your steps', but to BRAZENLY DANCE ALL OVER THE TRAP FLOOR! the only reason that doesn't kill the whole party is The Plot. It's not even that he doesn't appreciate Chilchuck's skill- he just don't like getting chastised! Same with Anne the Kelpie! Senshi's gonna do what Senshi's gonna do! He WILL not be rushed, he WILL not be chastised, he WILL not be directed! How do we think he came to be living in a dungeon all by himself in the first place!!

AND THE BREAD!

THIS IS NOT THE DEMAND OF A NEUROTYPICAL DWARF

Look there's more. After Chilchuck's impassioned and heartfelt plea, Senshi suggests they should return to the surface because they're 'low on seasoning'.

He's a dwarf who turned his adamantium shield into a cookpot.

He can meticulously maintain his mithril cooking knife but not his axe.

He responds well to other characters meeting him halfway but initiates few (no?) such bids himself. There's rarely any guile in Senshi, and when he is being shifty, he's Bad At It- and again, usually its in service of demand avoidance, like when he capitalises on Marcille's toilet break to reanimate his golems.

Senshi is the monomaniac that society has spent Decades trying to iron out of my wrinkly brain.

I hope to see him also find a place in the neurosparkly constellations.

[icreatewhatibelieve]

Imagine you already have whatever you want and thank your higher self in advance for bringing it to you.

Sanaya Roman

[positiveupwardspiral]

[bringthekingdom]

[equalperson]

people mostly talk about splitting as literally all-or-nothing--"I love you" or "I hate you"--but I personally experience an in-between point sometimes.

I don't know what I'd call it other than "thin-ice devaluation" or something along those lines.

like, yes I devalued you recently and I realize now that I was being irrational, BUT if you say something even slightly suspicious, hurtful, or incorrect, I'm going to assume that you're evil and/or useless again much faster than I would have before.

[wahroh]

Will won't wanna work.

[thepersonalwords]

A sign of gratitude is a thankful smile.

Debasish Mridha

[goldkirk]

past me squirreled away so many little bread crumbs over the years to lead me back to information and records and things that I kept that I didn’t consciously allow myself to understand I might need someday again