Do Something Good This Weekend

Today is Halloween. As children in North America and around the world go trick or treating, maybe we adults can indulge in some ourselves.

Here are some suggestions for treating yourself or others to something good this weekend.

1. Learn some history

History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.

- David C McCullough

Today we associate Halloween with pumpkins and candy. I was fascinated to learn that Halloween is the modern abbreviation of All Hallow’s Even, meaning the eve of All Saints Day. I’d always thought Halloween was a pagan festival and was humbled to discover its religious association.

Traced back even further, All Hallow’s Even itself is a descendant of the Celtic Samhain (pronounced “sowwen”). This was the word for ‘end of summer’ and indicated the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the new year. On this day, it was believed, the dead roam the earth freely.

To protect themselves from harm, the living would use horrible images, lights and food to scare away the spirits. Hence today’s Jack O Lantern pumpkins.

You can find out more about Halloween trivia at 2WitchesBlog.

2. Find connections

As I read about the origins of Halloween, I was struck by the similarities with the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival. This too, is a ritual of appeasing the spirits of the dead which return to earth once a year to visit their living relatives.

The more I learn about different cultures and religions, the more I realise how much they have in common. And the more I learn about people from different countries and backgrounds, the more I realise that we all have much in common too.

While it is easy and sometimes tempting to pick on the differences and judge people as somehow wrong because they are not like us, you could make an effort this weekend to find something in common with those whose paths you cross.

Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you.

- Augustine of Hippo

3. Perform a random act of kindness

Part of the charm of Halloween is the trick or treating that children do. What we love about children is their innocent persistence in asking for what they want until they get it. As we grow up, we develop a reserve that prevents many of us from asking explicitly for what we want.

When you see a chance to help someone this weekend, jump at it. Give someone a treat this weekend without their having to ask for it. I came across a lovely story of a random act of kindness called a JoyDrop. You too can drop some joy into somebody’s life.

Perform random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.

- Anne Herbert

4. Make the world more beautiful

Anne Herbert’s beloved quote points out that beauty is senseless. In our fast-paced, practical world where something must serve a purpose to have value, it is well to remember that beauty has its own value.

This weekend, work on a piece of art or craft and give it to someone or display it for others to enjoy. Play the piano or guitar just to make music. Watch a play or concert. Support your local symphony orchestra. Write a letter to someone you care about telling how much you love and appreciate them.

When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other.

- Chinese proverb

Happy Halloween everyone!

And the blessing of All Saints be upon you!

5 Responses to “Do Something Good This Weekend”

• Great Blogs

• Attraction Mind Map
• Create A Balance
• I Take Off The Mask
• Imperfect Action
• Inspiration & Motivation Blog
• Jungle Of Life
• Let It Flow
• Mom Grind
• Original Faith
• Out of Stress
• PlugIn ID
• Quantum Learning
• The Bold Life
• The Write Shots

• Get Free Updates via:

• RSS Email Twitter

• Most Popular Posts

• Let Go of Expectations
• How to Find Happiness That Lasts
• Your 24 Possible Personal Strengths
• 17 Inspiring Examples of Personal Creeds
• Parallel Universes: You May Be Everything You Ever Wanted To Be
• 7 Proven Ways to Live A Happy Life

• Recent Posts

• “I Want To Change My Life!”
• Setting Boundaries
• 206 Reasons To Be Grateful
• Making Peace with Criticism
• When Big Egos Collide
• Fundamental Nature Of Man – Good or Bad?
• Personal Integrity (Staying Sane in the Midst of Chaos)
• Seven Proven Ways to Live A Happy Life
• Pruning the Grapevine: Good vs Bad Gossip
• The Gift of Forgiveness
• Can You Pack Your Life Into Two Suitcases?
• Is 85 the New 65?
• No More Crappy Days
• What Makes A Good Relationship
• What are Your Relationship Expectations?