It is bitterly cold across Ireland at the moment. I took this photo of the frozen leaf at Altamount, Millstreet and there have been some heavy frosts in recent nights.
On This Day
On January 15th a US Airways flight, piloted by Captain Chesley Sully landed in the Hudson River after the plane flew into a flock of Canadian geese shortly after take off. It resulted in severe damage to the planes engines and miraculously there were no fatalities.
Birthdays Today
Claudia Winkleman, (TV host and best known with Strictly Come Dancing) is 52
Chloe Kelly (English Footballer) is 26
Significance Of Today
Today January 15th is known as Blue Monday. Many find January a difficult month for many reasons and today Monday is often known as Blue Monday. I hope and pray that today is not too difficult for you and if it is just to know you are not on your own. No matter how dark today may seem, there is always some beam of light somewhere near you. It may be narrow, it may seem insignificant but it is there.
Interesting Quote For Today
“I’m no longer religious, but the Bible fascinates me. Hardly anyone reads it anymore, but it’s got everything: it’s a book of poetry, it’s a book of principle, it’s a book of stories, and of myths and of epic tales, a book of histories and a book of fictions, of riddles, fables, parables and allegories.” ~ Tara Westover
Did You Know
Mental health experts say there’s no such thing as Blue Monday. They say it’s pointless trying to identify the most depressing day of the year as it would be different for each one of us. But it does give us an opportunity to discuss mental health and how we can take steps to alleviate our mood.
Video For The Week🎥
The video for this week is called ‘Salt and finding your Spiritual Balance’ (The video for the week is updated every Wednesday morning)
Thought For The Week
We all know in talking about climate change, how important a tree is, in its ability to give out oxygen and pull in carbon dioxide. But there is also something beautiful and graceful having a tree growing in your garden, in a local park, in a wood or wherever.
There is a fable told about a beautiful tree that was tall, graceful and mature. Everyone who saw it could only admire it. During the spring it would burst into life, in the summer its leaves were a sight to behold, in the autumn it shone brighter than gold and in winter it stood solid and firm withstanding the cold and wind. And the tree chirped “I am so graceful and beautiful.” But its roots burst into conversation: “Although no one sees us we give you strength to be as tall as you are. Although we seem barren and hidden, we pull up water and nutrients. You as a tree are only as good as your roots.”
At this the soil interrupted: “My dear tree and dear roots, do you not realise that it is the soil which is so often taken for granted and the least praised, which gives you all you have and makes you what you are. Without me, you would not exist. I give you nourishment, security and strength. I am the one who holds you firm. Without me the soil you are nothing.”
And so the story goes on to say that all three of them argued it out. Eventually all of them realised that to find the balance, all three of them had to work together with each one as important as the next. The same can be said of life. Are we sometimes like the tree forgetting about the soil and roots? Do we sometimes feel off balance, without depth or meaning? Or do we strive for balance? For us this might be drawing strength and nourishment from what we believe in, from our family and friends, from love filled moments, from accepting each day as God’s precious gift to us, from enjoying the simple moments and treasuring the good news to be found in our daily lives. 2024 will provide lots of opportunities to help us find the balance.
The Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
