The Cake Has a Baby in it?? Purple, Green, and Gold Beads??
….
Must be a King Cake!!
A favorite Mardi Gras tradition is the King Cake! It comes in a number of styles. The most simple, said to be the most traditional, is a ring of twisted bread similar to that used in brioche topped with icing or sugar, usually colored purple, green and gold (the traditional Mardi Gras colors) with food coloring. They are traditionally deep-fat-fried as a doughnut would be, and there are many variants, some in more recent years featuring a filling – the most common being cream cheese, praline, cinnamon, or strawberry. A so-called “Zulu King Cake” has chocolate icing with a coconut filing, because the krewe of Zulu parade’s most celebrated throw is a coconut. And the special surprise in the cake is a small plastic baby! You’ll have a lucky and prosperous year if you get the slice with the baby in it. But all the luck comes with an obligation…you have to proved next year’s King Cake!!
While Mardi Gras means many things to many people, one item that is incorporated into almost every Mardi Gras celebration is beads of every size, shape, and color.
But how did this tradition come to be? And more importantly what do those beads stand for? The bead phenomena is a relatively new one considering that while the first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans occurred in the 1830s, it wasn’t until the Rex parade threw inexpensive handmade glass necklaces sometime in the 1920s that the tradition was born.
Since that time the Mardi Gras bead industry has grown larger with each year and the cries of “throw me something, Mister!” that parade goers yell to catch the attention of the floats passing by gets louder along with more creative ideas to secure those precious trinkets.
However, many people don’t know that the traditional Mardi Gras bead color scheme: purple, green, and gold holds special meaning as well. The Purple, represents justice; the Green symbolizes faith; and the Gold exemplifies power. Though as the celebrations grow larger with each year that passes, beads and necklaces now come in every shape and color imaginable.
Dance, Dance, Dance
“Live your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action towards your dreams. Walk your talk. Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering.”
― Steve Maraboli
Treat Everyone As If…..(thought from Kirk Weisler)
This reminded me of something I was taught years ago…
“Treat everyone you meet as if they are going through a major personal crisis and at least half of the time you will be right.”
Sadly … the math seems to work. People are dealing with stuff…lots of people with lots of stuff. You know this is true because you have, you are or you know someone else who is.
Kindness… it’s a wonderful thing.
Frustration and the Silent Expectation (thought from Kirk Weisler)
“Silent expectations are the quickest way to destroy a relationship.” Seleh Stivers
I’ve always said, “One proven method to ensure personal frustration is to expect things from people without telling them.” (It works great on an organizational level as well.) It’s easier to be frustrated with your kids, your family or someone at work than it is to communicate with clarity, seek mutual understanding, and obtain commitment. That is why there is often more frustration than fruit in relationships.
Kirk out
YOU
Appreciation for where you have been….basking in the glory of what you have become, and focusing on all the future holds for you. Look in the mirror and take a bow as you show appreciation for getting you to where you are today.
~ Gigi Bocci Galluzzo
(Thank you Gigi for sharing)
Pink Elephanst & Freedom (post by Kirk Weisler)
Most people are not really free. They are confined by the niche in the world that they carve out for themselves. They limit themselves to fewer possibilities by the narrowness of their vision. –V. S. Naipaul, 2001 Nobel Laureate
Let’s not be “most people” let’s increase our vision by increasing our commitment to personal and professional growth…so that we, like the elephant in the picture can see better and be better.
Kirk out
Laws for Life (post from Kirk Weisler)
“The Law of Learning. – The only difference between the truly successful, great, or wise, and those who aren’t, is the gap of ability which is widened or narrowed due to our ability to learn from anyone, anything, anytime. (Thank you Daniel Burns)
The Law of Gratitude. – We are blessed with so many things in our lives, but the speed in which we live often hinders us from pausing just a moment to reflect on these blessings. How great is it to wake up and feel good… to have an assortment of fresh fruit on our
countertops ready for us to enjoy… to have access to any type of information our minds desire… to be so easily and quickly connected with friends and family on a daily basis. How cool is all of this! Personally, this law is at the top of my list because it fuels all of the other laws listed in this T4D. (Thank you Teresa Mount)
The Law of Smiles – -Don’t go through life with a sour look on your face. When the server at a fast food restaurant gives you your
meal and change, give them a smile. When you have a conversation with a co-worker, smile. Even the tensest situations lose some of their edge if the people engaged are smiling. Life’s too short to go through it as a miserable person or causing misery to others. A simple please and thank you accompanied by a genuine smile will brighten anyone’s day. And, when you start doing it, people will reciprocate and give you the same response. And, then your day will be brightened too. (Thank you Dave Collins)
The Law of Wellness- Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Don’t cut your life short by making unhealthy decisions that will affect your physical, mental, and social well being. Lead a
healthy lifestyle and allow yourself to truly enjoy everything life has to offer. (Thank you KATE )
The Law of Action – I would add the Law of Action – life is so very short. We don’t have time to procrastinate. Don’t put off tomorrow what you have the ability to do/try today. We don’t want to leave this world regretting we waited too long to make a move. This includes
something as “small” as telling someone you love them, to something as grand as changing careers, buying a house, or taking a trip.
