28 • December 2015 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC. WORDPLAY: AJAMODA/DELIGHT Weird Facts & Fun Trivia - 9 by Marcia Singer • lovearts@att.net SANTA ROSA, plea- CA. ~


(ah-jah-mow-dah) Hello, cher- ished readers all. I just watched the autumn sun setting. It is a healthy


sure, and I’ve made it a newly adopted tual


spiri- practice.


A few minutes before it ‘sinks’ below the hori- zon, if you peer at


the sun di-


rectly (it’s safe to do a half hour before


it appears to ra- diate.


I


sunset), like to


look through a canopy of trees, easier on my eyes. You can see all the colors of the spectrum, dancing in front of you. It’s so beautiful, this ethereal last light of the day. I fi nd it deeply heal-


ing. This month, I’m following the word “light” as it wants to guide my journey to a new home and teach me about what itself.


Many


years ago, af- ter learning a lot from focus- ing on ‘light- ening up” – I realized I would rather de-lighten-up: hey, why not? Delight has a way of color- ing the prop- erties of light all its own…


It is a true companion of joy and pleasures, of being truly engaged with living and giving our unique gifts of self to our world.


The word ajamoda from the


Indian Sanscrit language is just one of 210 different word ex- pressions for delight: how mar- velous! Ajamoda refers to the sparkle and radiance light can bring. It seems that yogis over the centuries found delight in so many ways, and wanted to name each one. We can delight- en up through each of our sens- es –eyes, ears, nose, tastebuds, tactile feelings–the possibili- ties are endless. Sheer delight happens when love awakens our hearts, and through the ele- ments of surprise and wonder. Just watch the faces of lit- tle children discovering their world through creative play! And I still recall the heady laughter of seasoned senior theatrical improvisers ing


a comedy routine, all asparkle. We have Positive Solutions to


Unforeseen Interruptions! From time to time mini fender benders and accidents occur when you least expect them. And they do happen. We are a positive solution to these annoying interruptions. We hope you don’t have to call us. But if you do... We’ll be ready!


invent- eyes


And anybody, at any age, singing and mov-


ing to a rhythmic beat, knows all about delight. “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…” This month may be lit up with delights.


There’s


Chanukah menorahs for the Jewish festival of Lights, and the welcoming of Christmas (and Kwanza!) with open arms. Our streets and stores are lit up again for all to enjoy and for most, homes and hearths will be decorated with light. While I enjoy year round


‘fairy lights’ in my house, soft- ening, comforting or inspiring me to Dream, this is the month to take delight in the glow of seasonal candles, resounding traditional songs, the tastes and smells of specially prepared holiday meals, and the lovely hugs and kisses from those who adore you. Whenever and wherever we


bring presence to the moment; when we are mindful of life’s bounty; when we open to the magic of life –syncronicity, serendipity and unexpected blessings show up to utterly delight and touch us. T’is the season to give with all our hearts, and receive in kind. So, here I am, sailing into the sunset of 2015, wishing you and yours an infi nite universe of


possibilities to Shine de-


Light in 2016 and beyond. You have my heart, Marcia


proving that there is no need to do so, almost


5800 Guerneville Rd Sebastopol • 829-2477


28 • December 2015 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC.


busy on the proof. John Kenneth Galbraith


Growth is the only evidence of life. ~John Henry Newman everyone gets


Faced with the choice between changing one’s mind and


tree; Two turtle doves; Three French hens; Four calling birds; Five golden rings; Six geese a-laying; Seven swans a-swimming; Eight maids a-milking; Nine ladies


dancing; Ten lords a-leaping; Eleven pipers piping; Twelve drummers drumming.


Christmas.’ The song has sold more than 100 million copies world wide and is the best sell- ing Christmas song of all time.


Sugar Plums ... continued from page 5


December


on local KQED, especially when his daughter and granddaughter join in. There are also re-runs of Pepin cooking with Julia Child that are downright funny in the most charming ways—especially when they “argue” about whether or not to add “more garlic.” Pepin is also an alum of Columbia U Grad School and holds an M.A. in French Literature. A great talent- -incredibly skillful, knowledge- able and modest all at once. Hopelessly romantic? Look for


Edna Ferber’s “Saratoga Trunk” or better still give the 1941 fi lm version starring Ingrid Bergman and Gary Cooper in their shining youth having a romp. For a more contemporary story, exceptional for the grasp of simple humanity and the true drama of a young boy blessed with an enormous talent for dancing that catches him and his still grieving family of miners in Manchester, England off guard, select the moving fi lm: “Billy El- liott.” Owning it is a true gift. “Amor” is what I wish my fam- ily and friends! I also wish you Peace, Joy, Hope, and good health in 2016! ~Ellie


The song ‘White Christmas’ was written by Irving Berlin and sung by Bing Crosby in the 1942 movie ‘Holiday Inn.’ Crosby also sang it in the 1954 movie ‘White


The 12 Days of Christmas Gifts from the Christmas song: A partridge in a pear


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