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T H S S S U E

A Guided Journeys Foundation Lethbridge will soon be home to a new level of palliative care thanks to the vision of Guided Journeys Foundation

Winter Light Festival

The 7th annual Winter Light Festival at Nikka Yuko Gardens will be even bigger and brighter this year

The Remarkable World of Insects Local photographer and writer, Lesley Roy, shares her fascination with nature’s often feared wonders

Once again, the Christmas season is upon us. I’m sure I’m not alone when wondering just where does the time goes? And it seems to go faster with each passing year Thankfully, it seems the worst of the pandemic is over as we cautiously navigate our way into the future of the “new normal” The Christmas season is always one that I’ve enjoyed; the traditions, the lights, the community. But I always find it brings with it a bit of melancholy as well.. I’m not sure why.

We’re pleased to bring you another Christmas edition of Quirk This November celebrates our eleventh anniversary bringing you the stories of our community, so it is very mixed emotions that I say, this anniversary issue will be the last of Quirk Magazine as we know it. In the future, we will look forward to bringing you special editions focussing on the arts and more about the amazing people who call Lethbridge home

This issue we introduce you to Leslie Roy, a local writer/photographer who shares a fascinating insight into the world of insects As much as we love to hate them, Lesley demonstrates just how integral they are in the balance of nature Lesley recently held an exhibit at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre that was very well received.

Trevor Potter gives us a lesson about the evolution of Christmas Trevor is the minister of McKillop United Church and has always provided us with insightful and poignant articles Thank you, Trevor for your engaging and thought provoking contribution, as always!

Guided Journeys Foundation is a non profit organization spear headed by Kinga Zentner and Celeste Ment These two women realized the need for hospice/palliative care in Southern Alberta and decided to make it their mission. This state of the art facility will be built on the outskirts of the city providing much needed end of life care and serve the over 300,000 people living in Southern Alberta It’s a monumental project that needs the support of everyone who is able to provide it They are off to a good start thanks to the generosity of those who have donated so far, but much more is needed to continue working towards bringing the facility to fruition. I know I would have appreciated this type of care when I had to say goodbye to loved ones, as I’m sure many of you would So, let’s help them get this built!

We hope you enjoy this edition of Quirk as much as we enjoy bringing it to you… and thanks to our readers and advertisers for your continued support!

Jean Van Kleek

Photo: Thomas Por ter

By: Jean Van Kleek

Our journey in this world begins at birth. Through subsequent years we experience many milestones. Each birthday, graduation, wedding, the birth of our children and many other important events are met with family gatherings and celebrations. The one part of our journey that is rarely talked about or made plans around is the final chapter. It happens to each and every one of us and is experienced several times in our lives with the loss of loved ones. It’s the one certainty we will all experience, yet it is the least talked about. We all know it’s real, but denying it somehow makes us feel better, like somehow then it won’t happen. Some cultures are comfortable with death and celebrate it as an integral part of life. Our culture is not one of them. We are uncomfortable with the topic and rarely discuss it until we are faced with the imminent passing of a loved one or ourselves. At this time, we often become overwhelmed with the practical and emotional process about to unfold because we are not prepared. Once we accept that dying is an undeniable part of living, we are able to open up the conversation surrounding it and perhaps make it less daunting when the time comes.

A monumental change in palliative care is on the way for Southern Alberta.

There are two women with deep roots in our community and a vast knowledge of end-of-life care who have recognized the need for palliative and hospice care in Southern Alberta. Currently, there is no hospice and while we do have palliative care, it is in a hospital environment. Kinga Zentner, President and Founder, along with board member, Celeste Ment, have launched Guided Journeys, a non-profit foundation geared to provide a wide range of services to assist families with every aspect of palliative and hospice care in a free-standing facility. This centre will be the first of its kind in our area and will serve the over 300,000 people living in Southern Alberta.

Kinga Zentner is a licensed funeral director and embalmer who has worked several years at Cornerstone Funeral Home. She has guided many families through the grieving process and helped them find ways to celebrate and honor the life of their loved one. She said that coming from a funeral directing and embalming background got her interested in doing more for the families and taking care of them before that final step and therefore hospice and palliative care was the logical transition. She says, “It felt unfinished because she wanted to take a step back and give support where people are passing away and to make sure their whole death experience, from the time of passing to the time of the funeral and aftercare, that they are on the right journey and properly taken care of”. It was through her work at Cornerstone that Kinga heard of Celeste Ment. Several families spoke to Kinga of the wonderful palliative care their loved one received from her. She decided she needed to meet Celeste, and it was through their connection that Guided Journeys came to fruition. They both knew there was a gap in care and Celeste says, despite an incredible palliative care team already existing

in Lethbridge, there is no free-standing centre. They decided to create plans for a holistically designed centre that will be on the outskirts of the city. The idea being the centre would be located in an environment surrounded by nature, but close to the city for ease of access.

Celeste Ment is a registered Palliative Care Nurse with over fifteen years experience. She currently works at S.t Michael’s Health Centre. Celeste finds her work deeply rewarding and meaningful and is looking forward to serving families in the new centre. Celeste feels blessed and honored to be able to help make the end-of-life journey more comfortable for patients and their families. Celeste says, “It takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village help walk us home”. She adds “There is often confusion over the difference between palliative and hospice care. People assume those in palliative care are near dying. Palliative care is ongoing and can be for life-limiting illness such as cancer or heart failure and includes ongoing medical care and treatment intended to cure illness so that requires a lot of education to let people know not to be afraid of talking about palliative care and not to be afraid of the dying process”. There are many steps, Celeste advises, that we can take in pre-planning to ease the stress on our loved ones when the time comes. By providing directives in advance, our caregivers can know what our wishes are should we not be able to express them.

When talking to Kinga and Celeste, it’s very clear they are excited and passionate about this project. They light up when describing what the centre will offer and how much it will mean to the families facing end of life circumstances. Kinga says, “The level of patient care that we want to provide is going to be second to none.” The design of the building is a U shape that will have each of the ten rooms facing a courtyard. There will be access to the courtyard from each room so residents can spend time outside in nature. She said there will be a home

feel in each room, where the patients can have their own pillows, blankets, and objects that may offer comfort and feel like home. The building has been designed by the world-renowned Alvin Reinhard Fritz Architect Inc. with every step being carefully thought out to bring as much nature, light and comfort as possible to residents and their families.

The goal in the design is to bring as much of the outdoors inside as possible to create a healing, peaceful and natural environment. There will be walking paths, ponds and many other natural elements incorporated into the design. The centre will have areas where families can relax, make some food, and even a playground for children so all members of the family have a place to unwind while caring for their loved one at the end of their journey. The building will also have a chapel and smudging room.

Celeste says, “Our motto is, every person should be able to have the absolute best care they can, to be in the most dignified and respectful place they can be, and that they can live every day until they die. It is a message of, I’m not dying of an illness, I’m living with an illness”. One of the main goals is to allow the caregivers to be family and spend quality time with their loved one instead of the caregiver. This time is very important for connection and allows the family to be present in the moment with their loved one.

Guided Journeys will be a culturally diverse centre available to everyone at no charge. In order to be able to offer their programs and services at no cost to the community, Guided Journeys requires help from everyone who can offer it. This Spring, Guided Journeys held the first annual “Walk to Remember” that was a huge success. The annual walk will be held in May moving forward, as May is Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month. The first annual “Frost & Flare” gala was recently

held November 26th at the Norland Historic Estate. At time of writing, it was still to be held, but set to be a wonderful blacktie event with a silent and live auction with a five-course dinner and dance. There will be a series of galas and fund-raising events leading up to the building of the facility. Kinga says, “The community has been amazingly generous so far and we are grateful for all of the support we have received”. Guided Journey’s Hospice will commence building in Spring 2024. providing a tranquil and caring space for people from all walks of life to spend their final days in the most dignified and loving manner.

There is still a long way to go to make this wonderful and much needed project a reality. There are many ways to help. You can support the galas and walks or donate funds through their website. There are also plans

Guided Journeys rendering by Alvin Reinhard Fritz Architect Inc

“The level of patient care that we want to provide is going to be second to none.”

also to sell flagstone pavers that will be used on the walking paths that will be engraved with the name and message of the donor. Donations of time will be equally as important as financial donations and they are looking for volunteers to assist in a wide variety of capacities.

Guided Journeys Foundation will be life changing for all of us here in Southern Alberta. They need our support, our time, and our generosity!

To find out more, or to find out how you can make a difference got to: www.guidedjourneys.ca

To submit a request for a presentation on palliative care, end of life care and advanced care planning to any individuals, groups or organizations email Celeste at: guidedjourneysyql@gmail.com

“Our motto is, every person should be able to have the absolute best care they can, to be in the most dignified and respectful place they can be, and that they can live every day until they die. It is a message of, I’m not dying of an illness, I’m living with an illness”.

Celeste graduated from nursing program at Foothills Hospital. She maintains she was fortunate enough to spend the early part of her career in rural nursing where she gained knowledge and experience in many varied fields-emergency, pediatrics, maternity, surgery, and geriatrics. In 2004, her mother Rose Marie Schoen passed away in St. Michaels Palliative Care Unit. That journey changed her life and her path. Her dad and 6 children were left to mourn this loss. At that time, she realized where her passion was. She was able to identify what would have made that journey with her mother and family a little easier. Her commitment to help loved ones and their families as they were on the “final phase of life” began. Celeste says, “it has been an honor to serve as a caregiver as a palliative care nurse the last 15 years. Being able to provide holistic care has been the most rewarding. Every day I continue to learn and appreciate how unique every individual and family is and I am so fortunate to be witness to such amazing legacies”. Educating the public is part of my professional and personal responsibility as a palliative care nurse. Historically death was a community event. Death is a social event with a medical component NOT a medical event with a social component.

About Kinga Zentner, Funeral Director & Embalmer

Kinga’s journey to becoming a funeral director came at her unexpectedly. She occasionally assisted the Cornerstone Funeral Home family by ushering or helping with flowers . At the time, she had an exceptionally successful career in finance. It was her mother-in-law, who has since passed, that suggested she train as a Funeral Director. Then later, her father-in-law, Ralph, asked her to join the team. Kinga’s approach to organizing a service is anything but traditional. Kinga embraces the opportunity to create a unique and memorable funeral, one that is respectful and reflective of the life that was lived. She says, ’A big goal of mine is to get people comfortable with death, you know, we don’t talk about it and people are afraid… and then there’s no value attached to it when there should be. Kinga opens the door to celebrating the life that has been lost rather than mourning. While there will still be grief, she encourages loved ones to remember what was so special and unique about the one who has passed and honor their time with them. She has a real gift for bringing peace and comfort to families.

About Celeste Ment RN CHPCN

Photos courtesy of Chris Yauck Photography

By:

Melanie Berdusco

Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden provides stunning and serene views in every season, from the pink and white blossoms in the spring, the luscious greens in summer, and the red and golds of autumn. But, when the leaves have fallen and the snow begins to fall, the garden really begins to shine as its features are expertly adorned with more than 170,000 brightly coloured lights for the winter season.

The Winter Light Festival, which will run from November 30 to February 26, has quickly become a tradition for friends and families across Southern Alberta and for good reason. The festival, now in its sixth season, has grown significantly in terms of light displays, special features, programming, and unique experiences visitors can enjoy in the garden. The number of visitors to the garden has also grown, with last year’s attendance of more than 20,000 guests in a two-month season – nearly double from the first year.

Visitors can expect dazzling light displays all throughout the garden, with trees, bushes, and bridges all adorned in colourful lights that have been meticulously arranged to enhance the natural esthetics of the garden. Crab apple trees come alive despite the snow with pink and purple lights and the orange trunks of the Scots pine trees are now covered in orange lights with their branches in green.

Nikka Yuko was designed using Japanese philosophies such as miegakure or hide and reveal. This technique means the garden never gives away everything with one view, instead guests will see different focal points that are hidden and then revealed as they stroll along the pathways. This technique carries over to the Winter Light Festival, with bright surprises around each corner. View the garden from the deck of the tea pavilion and see the waterfall front and centre or follow the path around the pond to see the stunning Russian Olive standing tall above the landscape and adorned in sparkling icicle lights – perfect for your next selfie.

Don’t forget to ring the Friendship Bell as you pass by, the distinct sound rings throughout the garden and carries across Henderson Lake. It’s said that the sound of the bell strengthens the relationship between Japan and Canada and sends a message of friendship to all who hear it.

The friendship between Japan and Canada is represented throughout the garden and highlighted through the celebration of Japanese winter holidays. On New Year’s Eve the garden celebrates Joya No Kane, a traditional ceremony of ringing bells to bring in the new year. In Japan, Monks and visitors strike a large bronze bell, typically at a temple, 108 times; 107 are tolled before midnight with the final bell ringing at midnight. In Buddhism the number 108 symbolizes passions and desires that corrupt the minds of humans, and this tradition serves as a type of purification.

This tradition is carried over to Nikka Yuko, with a ceremony typically hosted by Reverened Izumi from the Buddhist Temple Southern Alberta and guests are invited to attend to ring the Friendship Bell before midnight.

Another New Year’s tradition is to purchase a Daruma doll, a type of good luck charm in Japan.

These dolls are purchased with blank eyes so a person can paint one eye in for a goal or wish. Once the goal is achieved, or the wish comes true, the second eye can be painted in. For guests visiting in January, they’ll be able to see a larger-than-life Daruma ice sculpture displayed inside the garden.

Nikka Yuko also celebrates Seijin No Hi, or the Coming of Age Day, on the second Monday in January. This day is an important rite of passage for youth into adulthood as they turn 20. All those who turn 20 within that particular year celebrate through

ceremonies

formal

“The festival, now in its sixth season, has grown significantly in terms of light displays, special features, programming, and unique experiences visitors can enjoy in the garden.”

given by a mayor or other elected official and dressing in extravagant furisodes (a female kimono distinguished by long swinging sleeves) for women and formal suits for men. In Japan, youth are officially considered adults at the 20, meaning they are now legally allowed to drink, drive, smoke, and gamble. At Nikka Yuko, special discounts are given to those turning 20 and the garden displays a beautiful furisode for guests to view.

Although Christmas is a major part of the winter season across North America, it isn’t widely celebrated or celebrated to the same extent in Japan due to their largely Buddhist population. As such, Christmas-themed decorations or activities are not found at the Winter Light Festival because it instead celebrates Japanese culture and traditions that can be enjoyed by all denominations of guests.

Back this year are the talents of Lee Ross of Frozen Memories in the form of several spectacular ice sculptures located throughout the garden. The ice sculptures often feature parts of Japanese culture and in the past there have been sumo wrestlers, samurai, anime characters and more.

Ross creates the intricate displays well in advance before traveling from Calgary to assemble them piece by piece inside the garden. Ross has been carving ice since he was 16 years old worked with a Japanese carver who gave him the inspiration and advice to continue honing his skills. Ross has competed in several ice carving competitions throughout Canada and the United States, most memorably placing as the top Canadian team during a competition at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. Ross also works with the culinary students at Lethbridge College each year to pass along his knowledge and the sculptures done by the students were also featured at Nikka Yuko last winter.

This Winter Light Festival also marks the first full year since the Bunka Centre opened, Nikka Yuko’s new cultural centre. The Bunka Centre, bunka meaning culture, features a large event space, café, larger retail and gift shop, two programming classrooms, and an exhibit space. Guests can now book their private events throughout the winter season including staff and family celebrations, weddings, receptions, and meetings.

“Nikka Yuko was designed using Japanese philosophies such as miegakure or hide and reveal.”

The Winter Light Festival will open on November 30. Guests can visit the garden Wednesdays to Sundays and the garden is available for private bookings on Monday and Tuesday nights for larger groups. Find more information on the upcoming festival by visiting www.nikkayuko.com

the leaves have fallen and the snow begins to fall, the garden really begins to shine as its features are expertly adorned with more than 170,000 brightly coloured lights for the winter season”

“When

I've always been fascinated by insects and our other tiny neighbours buzzing or crawling about us. Unfortunately, when you mention insects, most people cringe and, upon seeing them, would react by swatting or, by some other means, killing these incredibly diverse, helpful, beautiful, Intelligent and complex creatures. Being around for over 350 million years means that they have had a lot of time to fine tune their makeup. To put it in perspective that might be easier to think about, they have been around since long, long before any dinosaur ever stepped foot on the earth. And unlike these prehistoric animals, insects survived. Today there are more insects than grains of sand on the earth.

And that's really good for us because without them we would have long since vanished. Insects, spiders and, let's be honest, other small creatures, even fungi and bacteria, help us in numerous ways. They help to keep our earth clean by recycling organic matter and some even eat

Writer/Photographer Lesley Roy B.Sc., M.Ed.(Psych)

Taking a Breather, a Western Tailed butterfly

Munching, a Ladybug eating an Aphid

plastics. They also pollinate our flowers and many things we grow to eat. They produce products like honey and silk. Some indicate time of death to a forensic scientist, clean festering wounds for patients or skeletons for museum technicians, provide other products for mankind such as bees wax and dyes. Fruit flies are used in genetic experiments. Others help to distribute seeds. Many help keep fellow insect populations in check. Besides all this, they are simply a joy to watch and try to understand.

There are relatively only a small number of insects that cause disease or are harmful to crops. And even then, some are not as bad as we like to think. The vast majority of insects are very beneficial. For instance, ladybugs which can consume many thousands of aphids over their life span. They also eat other pest insects such as scale mites, whiteflies and mealy bugs. Robber flies eat flying insects such as beetles, butterflies, and grasshoppers while various types of beetles consume harmful insects such as slugs, cutworms, snails, grasshopper eggs, and caterpillars. Yellow Dung flies will wait to ambush their bigger prey. The majestic Dragonflies eat mosquito larvae as well as the adults. The Parasitic wasps destroy the eggs of cabbage loopers and cutworms. These are only a few examples of the many insects that help to keep us from being buried alive because altogether they weigh 17 times more than the combined weight of all human beings.

Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson, a professor of conservation biology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, reported in her book about "Extraordinary Insects", a study that was conducted in Australia to determine the effect of ants and termites on wheat fields. The study showed a 36% increase in yield where no insecticides were used to eliminate these insects. Because of the dry earth and lack of earthworms, these insects created corridors that allowed water to penetrate the soil much more than otherwise. Their presence also increased the amount of nitrogen while ants reduced the number of weeds.

We continue to learn about insects and find there is much more to them then we previously understood. We know that the honey bee can communicate very effectively the location of nectar and pollen to other workers. They produce a surplice of this nectar of the gods to see them through hard winters and we have learned to harvest some of this. Most bees, though, are solitary and the vast majority of pollinators are the wild bees such as bumble bees, not honey bees. Honey bees are not actually native. They were introduced from Europe and Western Asia 400 years ago. The native bees generally find hollows in rotting wood or live underground where they overwinter. These are just two of the hundreds of species of bees.

Winter is upon us so you might be asking, "How do insects survive?".

Millions of Monarch butterfly, migrate 3,000 km south from parts of Canada to the forested Central Highlands in Mexico and some to parts of California. It takes one generation to fly south but 3 or 4 to return back to their breeding grounds in the spring.

A few insects survive as eggs in the soil or on trees but others as nymphs or larvae. Nymphs look very much like small versions of the adult and must molt their skin as they actively eat, grow and mature. Some, like Dragonflies and Mayflies survive the winter in ponds and streams under the ice. It can take years; kind of like how humans grow to adulthood. They climb out of the water for a final molt to emerge as adults in spring. Grasshoppers, which also go through this incomplete metamorphosis, lay eggs in clusters in the ground. Some species survive as nymphs.

Larvae go through complete metamorphosis where the change from egg to adult are drastic. Many young larvae will bury themselves in deep piles of leaf litter. Some, in the pupae stage of their development will overwinter attached to a branch of a tree next to their favourite food. Others produce a substance called glycerol, which acts similarly to antifreeze.

Watching You, a Crane Fly

Trapped, a Mayfly

Pretty in Pink, an immature Grasshopper

an immature Grasshopper Photo by Lanette LeMaitre Show off, a Syrphid

Fly

You might see adult ladybugs gathered together deep in leaf litter too. They will use fat reserves while they wait for winter to pass. If they survive the cold, ladybugs can live up to three years. Ladybugs were brought to North America to eat insects which were destroying our crops.

Many insects will seek shelter in hollows in trees, underground, in galls or nests in micro-climates. Honey bees may stay semi-active by generating enough heat with the oxidation of honey they consume to keep them alive. The workers fan their wings to circulate the heat throughout. Other insects may go into a state of diapause with a metabolic rate just high enough to keep them alive.

Yes, some insects really annoy us as they try to find shelter in our homes in the winter. Two that come to mind are Maple bugs and the Western Conifer Seed bug. It's not that they do any real harm because they don't bite or eat our food but we find them floating in our drinks or dead on the floor. Yuch! But we need them too.

It is important for the planet and all life to maintain a healthy environment consisting of a variety of living organisms, including insects. We are dependent upon it for our survival. Studies show that human health and happiness are linked to nature and the great outdoors. Biodiversity is what allows us to survive.

Insects don't live in solitude. They are intricately connected to all other living things. Having diverse and balanced ecosystems is crucial and climate change, along with our other destructive practices is really upsetting the balance.

Although insects are the most varied and abundant animals on earth, many have become endangered. According to the David Suzuki Foundation, there has been a 45% decline of invertebrates over the last

One of the most well-known migratory animals at risk of extinction is the Monarch butterfly. This popular marathon flier is an example of an animal that has lost habitat and its numbers decimated due to over use of insecticides and herbicides as well as climate change. Soon you may not be able to ever see these incredible animals again. These animals, with wingspans of three to five inches that can fly as many as 160 km a day, are running out of time.

In 1986 the Mexican government set aside five protected biospheres for the Monarchs but logging continues to destroy their habitat. Adults lay 500 eggs on the milkweed plant. The poisonous plant juices help protect the larvae from predators but not from humans' actions.

"Just Bee", a blog about bees, the Globe and Mail reported that 25% of all known species of bees have not been seen since 1990. They said that the trend was clear.

The six main reasons bees are dying is similar to why other insects are also vanishing at an alarming rate. They are:

I've Got a Hitchhiker, A Ground beetle with another small insect

Going for the Dill, An Asparagus Beetle

Getting Reenergized, A type of Hemophilus Fly

“There are relatively only a small number of insects that cause disease or are harmful to crops. And even then, some are not as bad as we like to think. The vast majority of insects are very beneficial”

“The native bees generally find hollows in rotting wood or live underground where they overwinter. These are just two of the hundreds of species of bees.”

Seeking Refreshment, a European Skipper

MONEY MATTERS

What’s the first thing you think about when you hear the word “investing”? Probably investing in stocks, real estate, or savings. But what about yourself? Whether that’s expanding your knowledge, developing positive new habits (while breaking negative ones), or getting your financial and personal affairs organized, it’s your responsibility to give back to yourself before you can give your time and energy to other people and things.

Investing in yourself is a sure-fire way to heap a return on investments. And we promise, after spending these next 12 months working on yourself, you’ll be glad you did.

Here are 12 great ways you can invest in yourself in the New Year:

1. Embrace lifelong learning Education doesn’t end once you leave the classroom, and you can build your skill set and feed your passions with lifelong learning. There’s still so much to learn in this world and there are so many ways to access new information. If you’re interested in enhancing your financial literacy this year, look no further. We offer lots of free online resources to help you get started on your financial journey―from online courses and money tips to resources and tools. Whether you’d like to learn more about budgeting, paying off debts, planning for retirement or credit, we have something for everyone.

2.

Prioritize your mental health

According to a 2018 study, at least 44% of Canadians believe their financial state impacts their mental health in a negative way. Are you one of them? This year make your mental health a priority by checking in with yourself regularly to manage stress levels and prevent burnout. Give yourself permission to take a break, make a mistake and set boundaries. Understand that you might not be where you thought you’d be right now (who is?) but that you’ll get there one day.

3. Set goals

We know it might feel pointless to set 2023 goals―considering how well everyone’s went last year―but hear us out. These goals don’t have to be sweeping, over-arching goals like paying off all your debts (especially as we don’t know how the economy is going to fare this year). They can be as simple as setting up auto payments with your financial institution, limiting eating out to only once per month, or updating your resumé. Whatever short-term and perhaps long-term goals you choose to focus on this year, make sure they’re obtainable and won’t leave you feeling worse off at the end of the year if you don’t accomplish all of them.

4. Find a mentor

We could all use a friend to talk to―especially about our finances. Find a financial mentor this year to help you navigate your money, so you can get closer to reaching your financial goals. We recommend starting here, at Money Mentors. Our accredited counsellors offer free, unbiased credit counselling and money coaching to Albertans, helping you see your financial worth and all that you are capable of.

5. Start a journal

We’ve already talked in the past about the importance of money diaries, so if you haven’t started one yet, now’s your chance. But your journal doesn’t have to solely be focused on money. It’s a great, safe space to reflect, plan, visualize and forgive. There are lots of benefits to journaling, like managing stress, identifying issues, and solving problems. It’s also a great place to practice gratitude and set goals.

6. Practice gratitude

You don’t need to wait until Thanksgiving to be grateful for everything that you have. Practice gratitude regularly to help you gain perspective and feel comfortable about where you are at in life. You might not be debt-free yet or have enough savings for a down payment, but we guarantee there are parts about your life that you’re thankful for. Whether it’s for your family, friends, pets, hobbies, habits, or coffee― cultivate gratitude for at least one person or thing each week to help keep you motivated.

7. Break a bad habit

What bad habit do you have that you tell yourself you’ll stop year after year? Whether it’s spending money emotionally, smoking, spending too much time on a device, etc., we know you have one. We all do! This year let’s work on finally breaking that bad habit. Make a list in your journal of all the reasons why you want to break this habit (like how it’s impacting your financial, mental, social or physical wellbeing) and all the steps you’re going to take to finally be rid of it (like replacing the negative habit with a positive one). It’ll take time and perseverance, but just think about how good you’ll feel by the end of the year!

8. Get organized

Do you know where your important papers are? Can you find your SIN card or passport in a pinch? Probably not. It’s okay to let yourself off the hook if you answered no to those questions because it’s natural to feel disorganized in a world that is very not organized. Take some time this year to establish an effective organizational system for your finances, office, house, etc. Everything should have a place, so when it comes time to tax season, you’re not running around your house looking for everything. This leads us to…

9. Procrastinate less

Whether it’s waiting until the last minute to do our taxes or not creating an RRSP/TFSA yet, we all procrastinate. But who suffers in the end? We do. Make a list of all the things you’ve been procrastinating starting or completing and then devise a plan to get them done. Start with the easier tasks first and then tackle the harder ones. Trust us, it’ll feel good ticking tasks off your to-do list!

10. Declutter

What’s one of the best tips for starting a new year fresh? Cut out the clutter in your life. No, we’re not talking about your paperwork or filing in this section. We’re talking about all the things in your life that no longer serve you or that bring you down. Go through all the social media accounts you follow and pare them down to only the ones that inspire you, make you laugh, educate you, etc. “Doom-scrolling” and “passive likes” are so 2022―fill your feeds with positivity and authenticity from now on! Do the same with the people, items, food, habits, etc. in your life to brighten and lighten your New Year.

11.

Make a budget

Chances are, if you’re reading this blog post on our website, you’re probably interested in personal finance. And if you’ve been here a while, you know that we’re big believers in creating and maintaining realistic, working budgets. If you haven’t made a budget yet, there’s no better time than the present. Spend a month tracking your finances in a money diary, list your expenses, and then develop a budget that is both attainable and will help you reach your financial goals. Luckily, we have lots of free resources to help you start―from our budgeting workbook and spending plan or our free online course, “Budget Boot Camp.”

12. Set boundaries

Did 2022 stretch you a little too thin? Do you have a hard time setting boundaries and saying no to others or to yourself? In your journal, write down all the things you wish you could have said no to last year and why you didn’t. Analyze that list and reflect on the emotions associated with those regrets. Next, practice saying no. If something truly doesn’t interest you or align with your values/goals (like weekly coffees with your co-worker), make a commitment to decline. It’ll be hard at first, feeling like you’re letting others down, but it’s so worth it! This year, prioritize protecting your time, energy, and money by only saying yes and no to the people and things that make you happy. Setting boundaries will help you prevent burnout, too!

“Investing in yourself is a sure-fire way to heap a return on investments. And we promise, after spending these next 12 months working on yourself, you’ll be glad you did.”

So This is Christmas

Written by: Trevor Potter

I hope I do not shock you with this statement. “I sort-a dislike Christmas.” I hope I have not offended you if you love this season! But I do not like the season that much. For those who know me, it might be quite surprising to hear this. I’m a minister of the United Church of Canada, so you would think I would love this time of year. Unfortunately, I do not. I would be quite content if we skipped right over the hoopla of the Christmas Season. There is so much bling around the season that it is hard not to get exhausted by it when all of it shows up in the retail stores before Halloween. Last year, our house was so exhausted from the pandemic that we put up our little fake Christmas tree on Christmas eve. It was the best we could do. This year, I’m feeling about the same level of exhaustion as we have so many struggles … inflation, finances, cost of groceries, food insecurities, the continuing pandemic that many are ignoring, effects of climate change, and war in Ukraine to name a few.

I don’t mean to be a humbug over this, and I suppose you can rightly judge me as one if you wish. I am not a radical yet. I am not the Puritans of Massachusetts who passed a law in 1659 making Christmas and Christmas celebrations illegal. I still see some value in Christmas, but it has been covered over by capitalism, consumption, and expectations. Personally, I would like to simplify the whole Christmas machine. If it is okay, I’d like to share some historical and sociological tidbits and facts about the evolution of Christmas so we can find our way back to a simpler Christmas. And just so you know, the conclusions may have nothing to do with going to church or conversion or such.

Whether you self-identify as a Christian or not, Christmas has its roots in the Christian tradition. The origins of Christmas are also connected to the winter solstice and other Indigenous religions of northern Europe too. The first obvious tidbit to tackle is this: Christmas Day, December 25th is not the birthday of Jesus of Nazareth. Historically, we have no idea what day Jesus was born on. Unfortunately, we don’t have Jesus’ baby scrapbook and none of the texts which mention the historical Jesus have a birth certificate from the Roman empire in them either. We do know that Jesus was born in the Roman province of Judea around 4 B.C.E. under the Roman Emperor Augustus and King Herod of Judea. For all we know, Jesus could have been born in May.

In the early Christian Communities, it was not Christmas that was the highlight of the year, but daily celebration of the resurrection of Jesus through communal meals and following the radical ethics of love to transform the world into a spiritual community of justice and peace. This even included loving one’s enemy. The early Christians were known to even feed their enemies - which were the Romans who persecuted them. Christians were perceived as radical and scandalous to many in the Greco-Roman world because of their behaviours.

Christmas of today would seem so incongruent to the earlier followers of the way of Jesus. I could even imagine the person of Jesus being perplexed beyond belief if he witnessed the mass consumption occurring around Christmas in his name today. For instance, one study documented that Canadians will send more than 2.6 billion cards and 540,000 tonnes of wrapping paper to the trash. For each kilogram of paper, 3.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide are produced. This is roughly the annual carbon dioxide emissions of approximately 32,000 middle class families in North America. Our practices of Christmas are directly tied to climate change, microplastic pollution, and food waste.

So, Christmas … when did it first appear? It wasn’t until the 4th century that the current cycle of Christmas came into being when Pope Julius I instituted the Feast of the Nativity on December 25. Before this, the early church was more interested in the resurrection of Jesus. There was the rise of a sect of Christians called Docetists who believed that Jesus did not have a real body during his lifetime but was only a phantom. The Feast of the Nativity was one way to counter these beliefs. Jesus was a flesh and blood human, born of a woman, went through the birth canal and nursed at his mother’s breast. And who cannot relate to the realness and messiness of the birth process and to the sacredness of babies once held in embrace of mothers and fathers?

At the same time, another major influence that factored into the birth of Christmas was Christianity becoming the official religion of the Roman Empire. After 313 C.E., Christianity became the religion of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine. This is a pivotal point in the evolution of Christianity. It went from Jesus being a peasant Jewish apocalyptic eschatological prophet and reformer of the Jewish religion who was crucified for following nonviolent love against a violent Roman empire, to the Hellenising Apostle Paul who helped create the Christian Church and was still persecuted by the violent Roman empire, to finally being the state empire religion that would now persecute other religions and heretics. All Empire religions need state festivals for social cohesion and unity. Before Christianity was the Empire’s new religion, the Romans celebrated the festival of Saturnalia (god of agriculture, Saturn) from December 17-25 and the Mithra’s birth (Roman sun god) on December 25th which was the actual day of the Winter Solstice in the old Julian calendar.

The final factor in the evolution and creation of Christmas is geography and the seasons. Jesus was born in a Mediterranean climate in which there are two distinct seasons: a cool, rainy winter and a hot, dry summer. The Jewish religion and early Christianity were more focused on the cycles of the moon in their religious traditions and practices (Easter follows this). It wasn’t until Christianity began to spread far north of the Tropic of Cancer into northern Europe that Christianity evolved into a Northern Hemisphere religion. The Indigenous religious festivals around the winter solstice, which was December 25th in the old Julian calendar were colonialized. The winter solstice is barely noticeable in Bethlehem with a 4-hour difference in light between the summer solstice compared to here in Lethbridge where the difference is approximately doubled. Live in the Southern Hemisphere and see if all the winter Christmas traditions work!

For us northern Hemisphere folks, the approaching decrease in sunlight around the winter solstice is a real biological and sociological phenomenon. Physiologically, all the winter solstice festivals were a response to the increasing darkness and coldness, and they helped relieve seasonal affective disorder, depression, sadness, restlessness, and share the hope of the light returning. It was a festival of the returning light coming from the darkness. Sociologically, the festivals were also a way to let off the steam of stress that built up over the year and often had a Mardi Gras like atmosphere in excess. Anthropologists suggest the real need behind all these traditions, including Christmas now, is to find a source of joy, happiness, hope, goodwill, and generosity in the midst of darkness and cold of winter.

And in the centuries since the start of the Feast of the Nativity, we have added the industrial revolution and the ‘age of the self’ to Christmas. Now, Christmas includes mass consumption that is to satisfy the identity of the self through the giving of personal and special gifts to each other. You must get the right gift or Christmas is a bust. Before the 19th century, if gifts were given at all, they were consumable food, beverages, and possibly warm clothes. We have added the stress of our modernday Christmas habits and consumption to the stress of darkness and coldness.

If I would claim anything about Christmas from its origins and evolution we have explored, it would be this: how do we simplify our Christmas traditions so that they once again help us find a source of joy, happiness, hope, goodwill, and generosity that doesn’t erode the health of the Earth or our own energies? This is what I am looking for … ways for us to cope with the challenges and fears of the darkness of our lives and society mirrored in the darkness and cold of winter. We are looking for the light that comes out of the dark as sure as the light will turn around

after the winter solstice. From a Christian perspective, celebrating the birth of Jesus on/near the darkest night of the year is a metaphor to talk about “a reality that happens every moment in us, especially when we’re in a dark place in our lives; when we’re in a nighttime, wintertime experience. It is in this darkness that we experience the fresh radiance burst forth like the turning of the seasons or being reborn,” says Alexander John Shaia, a cultural anthropologist, religious educator, psychologist, and spiritual director.

Christmas and the winter solstice are to remind us that in each of us, in our darkest nights there is an eternal light waiting to be birthed, waiting to burst forth in our lives and society. There is hope in the darkness and coldness – we are not alone. Christmas and the winter solstice at their simplest core ask us: Where do you notice the light in the darkness? Where is the eternal light and love alive for you right now? And when you answer those questions of this season, then go toward your answers, embrace them, and live them.

About McKillop United Church:

Potter

By Jean Van Kleek

Firstly, I’d like to take this moment to thank those who reached out and emailed or called me following the passing of my girls. I was very surprised that people I’ve never met would do this. It was very moving. I know it’s a very difficult time for those of us who love our furry families. After the girls left, I swore I couldn’t go through that again, but after a few months, the emptiness overshadowed the fear of being hurt again. I found myself unintentionally looking for another Bella. A very loving, vocal, demonstrative and friendly-type dog. The dog that came to me was nothing like Bella. But like Cesar Milan (the Dog Whisperer) says “We don’t get the dog we want, but the dog we need”. Ginny hadn’t been socialized and was very shy and anxietyridden. I knew I’d have to work with her and help her through these issues. She was afraid of everything. And I’m sure abandonment was at the top of her list. I’m sure I also projected on her my longing for her to be a Bella.

What I soon realized was that it wasn’t me helping Ginny through her issues, it was her helping me through mine. I was just as afraid as she was. Afraid to open my heart again and holding back when I thought I was there for her. Slowly we built trust and we both began opening up. Once I let Ginny be herself, instead of a shadow of what I’d lost, and with no expectations other than to be who she was, I saw her blossom into the wonderful little girl that she is. She’s very funny, smart and makes me laugh every day. She’s exceptionally intuitive and comprehends far more than a regular one year old dog should. It’s almost eerie what she understands instinctively. I often forget her age! We are on this journey together, she and I, and when she lays beside me, her eyes full of love and contentment, my heart melts. It was Ginny who rescued me. Bella and Shani have given their blessing.

Ginny

Michelle Zandstra

Digit & Luke

The Lethbridge & District Humane Society has been a no-kill haven since its inception in early 1970. It is their goal to take care of strays and abandoned pets until a home can be found for them to thrive and have a new start in life. Some animals stay for years before finding a family to love them.

With the support of Park Pet Hospital & Northside Veterinary Clinic, Quirk would like to introduce a few of the residents who have been waiting for quite some time. Rescued pets are exceptionally loving,

and very grateful for a chance to be with you. If you have room in your home and your heart, please give the Humane Society a call to give one of these furry friends a chance to belong, and be loved.

They are a gift!

Call: (403) 320-8991 Website: lethbridgehumanesociety.com

GenieThis beautiful boy was left outside over the winter, causing him to have severe frostbite where he lost part of his ear and tail. Does that make him less eye catching? Not at all! Genie has been known to like sleeping on top of the laundry in a basket.

Cinder

Cinder needs someone who has experience working with healers. She only likes a small circle of friends and getting to know more is a challenge. She needs someone who is dedicated to ongoing training and who will be very consistent in her life.

Aretha

Aretha was a little “wild” when she came in with her kittens. She had been on her own and knew that people meant food but wanted nothing to do with them otherwise. Aretha’s kittens have now grown up and she is better with people but still quite shy. She likes her safe place and sitting in the sunshine and when you take the time to get to know her, her purr is golden!

Ben

Ben is a sweet boy who was found out on his own and despite having some pretty good manners and wearing a harness no one ever claimed him. Ben looks like a husky cross and has been having fun going out for walks and getting to know the volunteers.

Murphy

Murphy is

loner! He likes people

is affectionate, he just doesn’t like to share space or anything else with other cats.