I took this photo yesterday at Altamount, Millstreet, Co.Cork (Irl)
The cyclamen is always a lovely addition to a garden at this time of year producing some lovely colours, when most other flowers have finished flowering for the year
I have just posted my new video below
On This Day
On October 18th 1961 The acclaimed musical film ‘West Side Story’ was released and it won 10 Academy Awards.
On October 18th 2019 the first all female spacewalk by NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir took place outside the International Space Station.
Birthdays Today
Simon Harris (Taoiseach of Ireland) is 38
Martina Navratilova (former tennis champion) is 68
Paddy Reilly (folk singer) is 85
Saint For Today
Today October 18th is the feast day of Saint Luke who is one of the gospel writers and he also wrote the Acts of the Apostles. He was trained as a doctor. His gospel is considered the most poetic and beautiful of all. He writes beautifully about the compassion and the forgiveness of Jesus. He had a high regard for the dignity of women for they played an important part of his writings. He is also the patron of the medical profession. He was reported to be a fine painter and is also patron of artists, painters, sculptors, craft workers and lacemakers. His symbol is the ox.
Significance of Today
Today October 18th is World Menopause Day. Menopause has been part of the lives of women since time began. Over time and depending on the culture, a great deal of mystery, confusion and misunderstanding has encircled this season of a woman’s life. As women’s health changes so significantly in midlife, World Menopause Day seeks to inform and educate about menopause, raising awareness about what women should expect and encouraging them to get the help they need from health care providers and other support workers.
Today October 18th is also Global Dignity Day. It is an initiative to educate and inspire young people and help them to understand their self-worth and goals, as well as reminding them about the value of inclusion and shared humanity of every single person who lives on the planet.
Quote For Today
“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.” ~ Nelson Mandela
Did You Know
Did you know that humans are the only animals that blush. Apparently, we’re also the only animals that experience embarrassment, too.
My Latest Video 🎥
This is my latest video and it is called ‘Crows in Song – United Together’. A new video is posted here every Wednesday morning
The video below I had up last week and it is called – ‘A Circle Celebrates You’. If you would like to see a selection of my other videos on Youtube you can click this link here. https://www.youtube.com/@JamesMcSweeneyFr/videos
Thought For The Week
‘Come out of the circle of time and into the circle of love.’ ~Rumi
We are surrounded by circles but of course we take them for granted. Our universe and our planet earth rotate in circles. The sun and the moon are circular in shape. Our ancestors built beautiful monuments in circular shapes from Stonehenge to Newgrange. Whether it is a ring, a coin or an orange, circles are never too far from us.
A circle is safe, gentle and its beautiful shape lends to calmness, peacefulness, and relaxation. The circle stands for totality, the infinite, timelessness and God whose centre is everywhere. The circle will always represent our journeys from beginning to end.
While a circle may have no sides, don’t forget it has an inner side and an outer side. Our world puts the focus on externals and on the outer side. But it’s what is inside that is most important, especially love, kindness, peace and goodness. You have all these within you which means a circle is always a celebration of the beautiful you.
You are invited to step into God’s circle of love. It is a good place and a safe place. The beauty of a spiritual circle is that it’s easy to step in or step out. All of our Christian tradition and the stories of our ancestors would indicate that the best and safest place to be is within the circle, where there is always healing, growth and love.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
