September 22, 2013

Today we celebrate:

World Gratitude Day – This day was created by the United Nations for the purpose of encouraging people to show their gratitude for everything that we have in our lives. We all have something to be grateful for and most of us have a multitude of things if we only stop to think about it. This is a day to be creative about how you express your gratitude today. Write someone a note, post a video, give someone a hug, pay for someone's coffee, wash the dishes for your mother...that last one just kind of slipped out, but it's a really good idea.

American Business Women's Day – On this day in 1949, the American Business Women's Association was founded. The goal of this organization is “to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.”

Elephant Appreciation Day – This is a day dedicated to elephants. Elephants are still hunted for their tusks by poachers because the price of ivory is so high. This, plus the fact that their habitat is being deforested at an alarming rate by farmers who are trying to survive as well, means that the number of elephants in the world is dropping pretty quickly. They will soon be considered an endangered species.

National White Chocolate Day – White chocolate isn't my favorite, but it is still pretty darn good so it won't be a sacrifice to eat it today. You gotta do what you gotta do.

Autumnal Equinox (Autumn) – In the northern hemisphere, the autumnal equinox occurs at 4:44 pm EDT. In the southern hemisphere, this would be the vernal equinox.

World Car Free Day – This is a day for people all over the world to give up their cars for the day and use alternative methods of transportation such as mass transit (buses and trains), bicycles, and feet.

Dear Diary Day – This is a day to write in your diary, or if you don't have one then you can start one today. Writing down what happens to you and how you feel about it can be very therapeutic. It is something that was very common place once upon a time. These days it's a little harder to find someone who keeps a diary.

Hobbit Day – Begun in 1978 by the American Tolkien Society, this is the birthday of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. If you don't know who they are, you need to read more. Specifically, you need to read the books written by J.R.R. Tolkien. 

National Ice Cream Cone Day – Ice cream cones are commonly believed to have been invented on this day in 1903. I have seen others who have the opinion that cones are older than that, but it doesn't really matter. All that really matters is that everyone loves an ice cream cone. I do too and now that I have found gluten free cones, I plan have it again at my first opportunity.....just as soon as I find a soft ice cream that is dairy free.

International Day of Radiant Peace – There are lots of ideas at http://www.radiantpeace.org/idrp.html to help you decide how best to celebrate this day. The idea is basically to spread your peace around the world.

National Centenarian's Day – This is a day to recognize and celebrate people who have lived for a hundred or more years. It would be a great opportunity to listen to their stories of what life was like back in the day. Maybe you could encourage them to write down their memories.

Puppy Mill Awareness Day – This is a day to protest puppy mills and the deplorable way animals are treated at these places.

Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving Day – I had never heard of the Schwenkfelders so I found their brief history on this page very interesting: http://www.schwenkfelder.com/museum/SchwenkfelderGallery.htm You might want to read it as well. This day is celebrated on the Sunday closest to September 24^th which is the anniversary of the first Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving that took place in 1734, two days after they arrived in Philadelphia. The Schwenkfelders are named after their founder, Caspar Schwenkfeld who was born in 1489, had a different idea about the Lord's Supper, split from Martin Luther and went his own way in 1526. His followers suffered nearly 200 years of persecution but were a stubborn bunch and refused to give in and convert to Catholicism or Lutheranism and finally snuck away from their homes and journeyed for several years until they all finally settled in Philadelphia.

To celebrate today, write in your diary all about how grateful you are for business women, elephants, peace and puppies. If you can eat and write at the same time, feel free to eat white chocolate and ice cream cones while you write. Then leave your car at home and walk around your neighborhood looking for a centenarian to talk to, enjoy the first day of autumn while you walk and keep your eyes peeled for a hobbit wandering around looking for Bilbo and Frodo's birthday party. Finish up your day by reading up on the trials and tribulations of the Schwenkfelders.