I hope the springtime is treating you well. In this beautiful month of May we celebrate certain wonderful holidays. May 1st is Beltane, or perhaps better known as May Day. It was, and still remains, the celebration of fertility to our ancestors. They employed a maypole to weave colored ribbons around, by males and females, in search of love. I sure am glad we’re past that method of finding our mate. I prefer Match.com and E-Harmony. If we have to have a mating ritual, these are much better. As the traditions goes, May 1st was set aside as a day to burn either five or seven logs to celebrate the burning desire of fertility. The logs symbolized the tree of life. I can tell you that I always burn my fire log, giving thanks to the North, South, East, West, Earth and Sky. Sometimes I even dress for the occasion, but I can no longer get into my robe…well, that’s another issue all together. Anyway, I surely hope that you will take the time to celebrate those you love and appreciate this May Day!

May 10th is Mother’s Day. This day of celebration is as old as ancient Greece or maybe even older! During that time, a day was usually set aside to honor a female god ( you go, Girl)! In most places in Europe, this day goes back to the 1500’s, for the purpose of celebrating the “Mother Church”. But, for those of us alive today and living in the United States, Mother’s Day began in the late 1850s. Anne Marie Jarvis, the sister of a doctor, noticed that the cleanliness of the operating room greatly enhanced the survival rate of patients. After that, she spent most of her life creating women’s groups, on both sides of the Civil War, to teach sanitation and hygiene in the care of wounded soldiers. When the war ended, she continued to recruit and teach hygiene as a way to heal the wounds of war, both spiritually and physically. As we recognize this Mother’s Day, we are reminded that one of the greatest gifts Mothers offer is the art of care giving and compassion. Along with all the joy a day like this brings us, let’s make a conscious effort to learn to be more compassionate care givers, for ourselves, those we love and our great Mother Earth. Happy Mother’s Day!

Next, are two more holidays I simply adore. First, is my beautiful wife, Kathryn’s birthday. I never know what to give her! My mind is not capable of conceiving a gift that could ever balance all the love, insight, and joy she has brought into my life. If you know her, and have any suggestions as to what I could get her this year, please let me know. I been promising to take her to Paris for fourteen years now so, you’ll have to help me come up with something else! Kathryn and I also have a daughter who will be celebrating her birthday in May. In fact, Alysia Kathryn was born on Kathryn’s birthday, in 1986, and it just happened to be Mother’s Day! What an incredible, once in a lifetime, gift! Happy Birthday, Alysia, and to everyone born in May!

Last, but certainly not least of all, in the month of May we commemorate Memorial Day. This is a perfect day to reflect upon and bring back to life, the memory of those who have served our great country. As we keep in mind that our country is once again at war, we realize these memories are still being created everyday, by those who are currently serving. If you can visit a Veteran on Memorial Day, this will be the very best way to celebrate the memory of the valiant ones who have proudly protected our nation. If you can’t visit a Veteran, then please send a card to one at a local VA or nursing home. It is my prayer that this day brings you a greater sense of the stupidity of war, and our planet’s deep need for peace. So, there we have it, a month full of splendid opportunities to celebrate the gifts of life. I wish you abundant blessing and may everything you need grow within easy reach.

Oh, and by the way, if you happen to be in driving distance of Reno, Nevada on May 17th, please come by the Grand Sierra Resort to see me, Marianne Williamson, and Rabbi Shmuley at our all day event. For more information go to: www.quantummultimediaproductions.com .

With love and purpose, Dannion