Graduation Is A Rite Of Passage

Graduation is an event that takes place after hitting a milestone in school to indicate when a student is ready to transition into the next stage of learning. Graduation can take place during any stage of schooling, not necessarily only at the end of high school or college. It is a cultural tradition and is usually looked at as a rite of passage.

The term "rite of passage" was coined in 1909 by Arnold van Gennep. Van Gennep believed that the right of passage consisted of three main steps. Those steps are separation from society, inculcation-transformation, and the return to society with a new status.

Different Types Of Graduation Ceremonies And Achievements

There are two different ceremonies held for students and those are the commencement and the baccalaureate. The commencement is where the diplomas are received by all of the graduating students. The baccalaureate ceremony takes place in order to pay special attention to those that did an exemplary job in their schooling years.

The graduation, ceremony is one of the highlights of a person's life because it consists of a gathering of all graduating students, their families, and the important members of the school's staff. It will generally begin with a speech given by the principal, valedictorian, or a special guest speaker and then progress to a roll call of students. As each student is called one by one, they are provided with their hard-earned diploma and a handshake.

The students that are awarded special awards depending on their achievements are the baccalaureates. These achievements will help you when it comes to applying for your next stint in college or for a high-paying job. Nothing looks better on a resume than having one of these awards or achievements.

Graduation Honors:

cum laude: with honors
magna cum laude: with high honors
summa cum laude: with the highest honors

Graduation Ceremony Attire

During a graduation ceremony the students are to wear matching caps and gowns. The caps, or "hoods" as they once were called, used to be worn by the Druid priests to signify their higher intelligence. The tassel, which is connected to the cap, is generally designed to show the area of study that was achieved, however nowadays it is usually made of the school's colors. The gown is normally a color that will compliment the cap and tassel.

Mixture Of Emotions And Memories After Graduation

This is a basic description of the general concept of graduation. After the ceremony, there are usually generally people crying tears of joy and sorrow. There is a mixture of emotions that a graduate feels.

Students tend to think that their school years would never come to an end, but the day they graduate the realization that it's over hits them hard. They know that most of the people they had come into contact with and befriended will never be seen again. However, they are happy and proud that they survived the twelve plus years in school.

This ceremony is a very important and memorable time in a students life. Having a diploma should be respected and admired, especially in these times when so many drop out of school. It may require a lot of work, but in the end, it is worth it.

Graduation Gowns

Graduation Package

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Rites of Passage: Innocence Found

Our yard was toilet-papered last night. The sight greeted me as I opened the front door in my robe, on my way to retrieve the newspaper on this blustery Saturday morning. I had seen such displays before, but always from the road. From my secure vantage of hustling and busting I would look at the homes of parents of children older than my own, and shake my head with nave amusement as wearied dads with strange, bemused expressions raked the fluttering ribbons from their trees. It was just one of the things that teenagers did, I figured. I had no reason to take the point further, except to recognize that the scene was part off a world of parenting teenagers that I knew lay somewhere ahead.

Suddenly, I am there; the sight catching me unaware of an inevitable certainty, much like the first look at a snowy august morning. I suppose I should have seen it coming. Starting from the day when my youngest caught me skipping pages during reading at bedtime, changes seemingly beyond my control have become more frequent. All of a sudden I'm not privy to the details of the conflicts between my children and their friends at school. Telephone conversations between my children and unknown sources of information stall when I pass through the room. Suddenly my children don't miss the double entendre of PG-13 comedies; instead, they blush, or worse, laugh as if they have heard the joke before.

Initially I was honored to see the 'tribute in white'. My son must be popular if someone spent so much time to do this, I reasoned, as if by association his popularity reflected my parental achievements. But I also felt somewhat unsettled. I stood in the middle of a scene heretofore reserved for others, for those older families, and realized that I had been initiated into one more phase of my life. Once more I was being pushed into a new era of parenting, with little warning, and with no formal training. Such is the nature of parenting. In no other job are we expected to adapt, and to 'ad lib', to such an extent. We aren't told "Oh, there is a TV to fix in there- I know you haven't done it before, but we're expanding beyond widgets". My only preparation at this point is a vague recollection of hearing from those who have been here before me that I should make sure the mess is cleaned up before it rains. I'm not sure why that is important.

I am also touched by a melancholy memory, of the days of my youth and of innocent pranks. Sometime between then and now, pranks seem to have taken on a meaner quality; images of 'soaping windows' morphing to fears of tainted Halloween candy, or burning bags of dog droppings on porches changing to reports of bombs in mailboxes. The display in front of me this morning reminds me of those innocent days gone by, and I am again touched by the care that has been taken- the bench from the porch carefully balanced atop the basketball backboard, the avoidance of the small tree with the nest of baby birds, the placement of our 'security sign' neatly in the bushes, where it could easily be found. And nothing has been done to the mailbox, as if in recognition that a mailbox is no longer a thing of innocent pranks. The whole display does not suggest delinquency. Rather there is almost the suggestion of moral character, of knowing the difference between right and wrong, between old-fashioned youthful mischief and modern delinquency.

I wonder if the distinction between innocent pranks and delinquency is even possible in our 'modern world'. As we try to protect our children, we steer them from potentially mischievous activities lest innocence and evil be mistakenly confused. "You could be shot- or arrested!" we say. Pranks have always had an edge- but it seems that we used to know where that edge was, and more importantly, we genuinely knew that it shouldn't be crossed. Yes, we made mistakes- I think of the late night many years ago, when my friends and I left the mannequin lying on the porch of my parents' house, rang the doorbell, and ran away. I can still hear my mother scream as I think about it. Or I think of the prank phone calls made during a sleepover, and of the guilt I felt later as I read in the small town community newspaper about the elderly disabled woman who was frightened by them. But the stakes seem higher now, and so from the enlightened vantage of parents, we don't mourn the loss of innocent pranks. Their loss is a trade-off for safety, and we accept the loss as an inevitable casualty of the future. They are just another lost privilege, like the quick airport check in lines of the 20th century. By some bizarre progression of society, we can clone an embryo, but we can't find a way to allow trick-or-treating after dark.

But on this morning, my sweet melancholic memory will not be denied by adult pessimism. As the sun breaks the clouds and strikes the brilliant streamers, I realize that innocence is still everywhere, if I choose to look for it. I notice again that nothing is broken, and the baby birds in the nest in the small tree are still hungrily chirping. And then I see the toilet paper hanging on the trees for what it is; a sign that all is well. The world is very different now, yet some things, at least this morning, are the same. And I smile as I chase the kids outside to clean up the mess, quickly, before it rains.

Jeffrey T Junig lives with his wife and children in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He has worked as a neuroscientist and as an anesthesiologist, and currently is a psychiatrist in solo, independent practice. More articles can be found at his psychiatric practice web site, http://fdlpsychiatry.com.

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Entrepreneurship Is An Endangered Rite of Passage

Remember the 1980′s video game "Paperboy?" You moved your bicycling paperboy up the screen and used buttons to make him throw newspapers onto the porches of the correct houses. I just read a very insightful article by Dan Pallotta of the Harvard Business Review entitled "Is the Entrepreneur and Endangered Species?"

In his article, Dan talks about how kids today aren't doing things like running yard work businesses, snow blowing businesses, becoming paperboys, and building hot dog carts or lemonade stands. I realized that he was right. These training opportunities have becomes extinct rites of passage for the past couple generations of American youth.

As an entrepreneur myself, with experience in startup after startup, Dan's article made me think about my own upbringing. I grew up at the right time, but I never had the opportunity to be a paperboy - we moved around a lot growing up and it seemed you had to be well established as a kid in the community in order to crack the inner circle to get a coveted paperboy job.

By the time I was 12 or so, we had moved to a rural area - and no paperboy jobs existed. In fact, we lived so far in the country, that there was no RFD (home mail delivery) in our "town". We had to drive in to the post office every day to get out mail. It was very "Hooterville". We did live in a Country Club for a while, so my younger brother and I would go out early on Saturday mornings and retrieve golf balls from the streams and lakes on the course. The club pro would buy those balls back for either a dime or a quarter apiece, depending on how dinged up they were. He would then sell them as used balls for 50 cents, or paint a stripe on them and turn them into "range balls". It was the 1970′s - things were simpler then.

On a good Saturday, we could make nearly $20 that we would split. Ten bucks went a long way back then, if you remember. Not bad for a startup, board members were 13 and 9. In high school, I had a couple of jobs, but nothing entrepreneurial. I was working for the man. One of the saddest reasons that I believe these opportunities have disappeared is that the current culture makes it a much riskier proposition than ever. I don't think most parents are comfortable letting their 13 year olds run about unsupervised.

Where we live (suburb of Atlanta) there aren't any kids doing lawn work either - it's all done by landscaping companies who employee "people who will do the jobs Americans won't".

P. Todd Kelly is a nationally recognized expert in Sales and Use Taxation. Todd is President of Tax Traxx, located in Johns Creek, Georgia, and found on the web at http://taxtraxx.com. He is also the founder of Big Rock Publishing, found at http://bigrockpubs.com, and is excited about the upcoming release of the Centennial Edition Boy Scout Adventure Series.

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The Business Of Information and The Rites Of Passage Entrepreneur Society

Are you willing to take a new venture or enterprise and accept full responsibility for the outcome? This is the defining question (to the entrepreneur) for initiation into The Ropes. The meld of business and ropes (rites of passage entrepreneur society) creates marketing goals of continual abundance.

The common misconception is that big-business and government are the only ways to be successful in commerce. This has created many profitable secrets for the business of information. Many business models using Internet technology and multimedia platforms are affordable and profitable.

Global society is gaining leverage and moving in the direction of independence of information. Internet technology makes social contact a worldwide possibility. Digital technology makes it possible to send information quickly and inexpensively. Multimedia platforms use your individual personality to develop professional projects in audio, video and Ebook formats.

Be aware of the transition in business commerce for the new economy. The era of digital information remains a profitable secret. And like all secrets, there is an elite group having access to invaluable steps and procedures. As you grow into the identity of the business entrepreneur, a timely support system prepares you for growth in your area of expertise.

The evolution of science today has given access to tools that do more with less. From a business perspective, we create more affordable products to be mass produced to consumers. The undiscovered truth is that the individual entrepreneur can use this same information to start a business. You can now build client relations, increase profits and improve status.

Do you think of yourself as highly creative in the 21st century and looking for an opportunity of a lifetime? If you are willing to work (a little) and create revenue for yourself, I am willing to show you the ropes to the business of speaking and writing. The only thing more authenticating than starting your own business is having it on your own terms.

Starting a business is affordable, effective and contributes to yourself, your society and your environment. This is the direction and growth of the individual business entrepreneur. If you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced creator of information products, you can be a continual money maker knowing the ropes to the business of information.

My name is Gary B Wright and I am the Director of the Business Of Information For Speaking and writing. The use of information products which you learn to create can develop continual income and revenue. This is the opportunity of a lifetime that presents itself for a limited time.

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Your 4 Step Home Business Success Rite of Passage

It's probably a pretty safe bet to say that you have a desire to succeed in a home based business of your own. After all, there's a good reason why you're reading these words, right? It could be that you've already found your work from home business opportunity and now it's time for you to take action and turn that opportunity into a legitimate and profitable business.

Are you feeling a little bit frustrated though? Perhaps your desire for success is not the issue but rather knowing what to do in order to achieve success in your home business is the problem. Well, rest assured that, at this point, if you have only the desire to succeed but nothing else, congratulations, you're already well on your way to success in your home based business. There is still a fair amount of work which needs to be done but your desire does have you pointed in the right direction.

With a desire to succeed in business being your most important quality, the second most important quality you can possess is a willingness to fail. Failing or stinking at something is always the prerequisite to succeeding at it. As long as you're willing to get into the game, roll up your sleeves and make the necessary mistakes then your eventual success can become a reality.

To help you along in your journey to a successful home based business - or any type of business for that matter - there is an evolutionary rite of passage which all successful entrepreneurs must go through.

Understand that as long as you're willing to progress through the following four steps then you will see exactly how your own home based business development will unfold.

Step 1

Unconscious Incompetence - this is when you stink at something and you don't even know that you stink. This is where all business professionals begin. You can read all the books on business ever printed but you are never an entrepreneur until you begin the business building process for yourself. And when you do begin the process, be willing to make your mistakes. Expect to make many mistakes and be easy on yourself when you do. Nobody was born an expert at anything. Hang in and resist the temptation to throw in the towel at the first sign of trouble.

Step 2

Conscious Incompetence - this is when you still stink but at least you now know that you stink. Or, more importantly, you now know what it is you stink at. Once you begin to realize where your business building skills are deficient you can take the steps necessary to improve those skills. Maybe you have a natural gift for speaking with people but are not very adept at marketing or time management. Recognizing your shortcomings is the necessary first step to fixing those shortcomings.

Step 3

Conscious Competence - this is when you're getting good at business and you can feel and see yourself improving in the areas where you needed help. This is when you go through your business day recalling and applying the business building techniques and strategies you've been studying. Business success is coming easier for you as you can now efficiently apply the things you've been learning. The most important part of this step is the increase you'll experience in your self confidence. The higher the confidence you have in your abilities the easier your business building becomes.

Step 4

Unconscious Competence - this is it, when you've arrived at this step you've reached the entrepreneurial summit. This is when business success flows effortlessly. In this phase of being an entrepreneur your business building becomes second nature. You'll seem to always say the right things at the right time, you'll make the right decisions and success will just seem to flow naturally. Even when you reach this step it is still probable that you'll make an occasional mistake. But, because of the knowledge and experience gained, the mistakes made will most likely have a far less negative impact.

So let's now consolidate these 4 crucial steps: Do you want to become a great home based entrepreneur? You first have to work at becoming a good one. Do you want to become a good one? You first need a willingness to be a mediocre one. And in order to be a mediocre entrepreneur you need to jump into the game as a lousy one.

There are no shortcuts to success. Many a home business failure is the result of a well intentioned person searching for and taking shortcuts. However, and this is the reason why so many people fail in business, there are no shortcuts to success.

Do you desire long lasting success? It all starts with gaining knowledge. Applied knowledge becomes experience and experience eventually becomes success.

There is no better way to gain knowledge then through reading good, quality books. All it can take is just one good book on the topic of success to get your wheels in motion.

Do you need help getting your success wheels in motion? Save time and money now by gaining immediate, free access to the book A Plum In The Syrup written by Daniel Herzner, the author of this article. This new, success strategy book is available free but only for a limited time. Go grab your own copy now while you still can.

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Vision Quest - A Rite of Passage

In a time not so long ago young boys when through a"rite of passage" to signify the crossing over to manhood. This is something that most young people in America will never experience and do not really understand. As a father of four daughters and two grand-children I know for a fact that kids just grow up all of a sudden. There is very little teaching/learning that goes between parent and kids as in the past. It seems that most parents depend on other entities to raise their kids up in the ways of the world. Young girls in their early teens are dressing up like porn queens and young boys are involved with drug and gang activity just to fit in. No longer is there a set time in one's life when they went from a child to a grownup, they just come home from another party that went too far and their all grown up.

There comes a time when you must grow up and leave family, friends and work behind and go off alone, looking within to discover your changes in the wheel of life. The Hanbleceya, translated from Lakota means "Vision Quest" is the name of this rite of passage. The Vision Quest has been followed by humans for thousands of years. When you are brave enough o listen you can hear it calling to you. Life questions are pushing you to do something, "Who am I?", "Why am I here?" and "How can I heal my wounds?" Something's in life are required, this is one of them.

The first thing to do is found someone that will teach and guide you through this ceremony in a respectful manner for all the ones that have gone before and the thousands that gave their lives for us to continue. You begin by learning the simplest of ways to open your eyes and admit there is some kind of higher power out there that is in control. All the while, your group is becoming a community, offering support and love.

Vision Quests have been important by enabling individuals to negotiate their maturity/transitions with purpose and meaning, discovering gifts to be brought back for the whole community. Without them, people have no way to mark and celebrate their life-changes, unable to complete the old or begin the new. The Vision Quest allows a person to engage an age-old ceremonial pattern: completion of an old life, movement through the threshold of the unknown, and return to the world reborn. People in any life stage or transition can find meaning in this powerful process. Young people will find particular meaning in the challenges the program presents.

Your teacher and your group will serve to mirror and support visioneers by helping them first to prepare for their Vision Quest and then to understand and interpret their experience. The vision quester returns to the "real world" powerfully moved by having lived close to the source power and the Higher Power in their understanding.

During the four days and nights you will enact the Vision Quest, living by yourself in the wildness of nature holding your Chanupa and facing each direction to pray daily. In the weakness of fasting, you become more open and transparent. You live between the inner world of dreams, feelings, fantasies and the outer world of cold night air, the warming sun, the sound of a coyote howling, the sight of mole digging mounds just outside of your area. You will be visited by dragons, whose names are loneliness, boredom, fear, and regret--among others. You engage them with your heart and spirit, recognizing them as worthwhile opponents. They push you into your depths.

Time can slow down on a Vision Quest, and the stillness of being alone can be very powerful. As your thoughts begin to empty out, you can look into the pool of your own being, noticing how you are, what your dreams are made of, what you need to let go of. The medicine wheel is present there, and you can enter it naturally. It is possible to feel connected to everything, to the small fly dragonfly, to the giant oak tree, to the limitless expanse of the cosmos.

On the way in, just as on the way out you will enter the Inipi lodge to transition out from the spirit world back into reality. You have been witness to your own death and rebirth. What is important to carry into your new life, and what needs to be left behind? You ask the Spirit to help you find your way. Your prayers are answered as the first rays of sunlight pierce the darkness. It's time now to come down off the mountain and begin the journey back.

There are numerous things I left out about the ceremony in this article I just wanted to say certain things about the Hanbleceya. The Inipi Ceremony is critical in the Vision Quest, just like many other ceremonial rights are important, however one truly only needs a supporter and fire for a Vision Quest. One day in the future I might decide to write my story about the things that have gone on in the Vision Quest that I have been privileged to be a part of including my own.

Aho, Mitakuye Ayasin

Ricky Ellis

McKinney TX

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How to Spice Up Rite of Passage Parties

A rite of passage such as a bar mitzvah or a bat mitzvah, marks when a person reaches a certain time in his or her life when a significant change is taking place. Many cultures and religions have rite of passage occasions to celebrate a person's passage into a new and/or different stage of their lives. These rites of passage can include bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvah, graduations, birthdays, and more. These occasions are usually celebrated with large parties.

The single more important thing you can do to spice up your right of passage party is to hire the right entertainment. Since this is your son or daughter's party, let them choose the type of music. Ask them if they would like to have a DJ or a live band. Ask them if they would like a light show. Once you know what kind of music and light show your son or daughter would like, you can search for the DJ or entertainer. Ask friends and family members for recommendations. You can also ask local radio stations for a recommendation. Having the right music, whether it's a DJ or a live band, is essential to spicing up the party and throwing a party your son or daughter will remember.

Food is the next big decision. The best way to accommodate a large party crowd is to have a variety of foods available. Of course, this can be a little costly. If you do not want to spend a lot of money on food, you can always serve hors d'oeuvres instead of a complete meal. Depending on how much you want to spend, you can be creative with the foods. You can have professional caterer prepare your foods or, if you have the time, you can prepare the food yourself. One way to spice up the food is to have it presented in a way that attracts attentions. Do not simply put it on trays and serve it. You can have it arranged nicely into patterns, with little decorations, or in bowls and plates that represent a theme. Be creative with it.

In fact, using a theme at your right of passage party is a very effective way to spice up the event. If your child is into technology, you can have a "techie" party--using decorations that represent the areas of technology that interest your child. You could host a luau, a party with a country western, Broadway, nighttime, or ocean theme. There are hundreds of themes. Check your local party store for ideas and decorations for your theme.

There are a lot of easy ways to spice up a right of passage party. Find out what interests your son or daughter, get an idea about what generally interest your guests, and design your party around that theme. Choose the right entertainment and a variety of foods and drinks that everyone will enjoy; present the food in a way that gets everyone's immediate attention. By following these three simple steps, you are on your way to spicing up your next right of passage party.

Kamau Austin is publisher of

New York 411 and writes on the New York lifestyle and entertainment scene.

For more info on

DJ services for bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings and corporate events visit, [http://www.DJForYourPartyblog.com]

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Odin's Teenage Rites of Passage Vision Quest Ritual

A Mountain Vision Quest Alone

SUMMER SOLSTICE TEENAGE ODIN VISION QUEST

Here is a Rites of Passage for any teenage Viking who wants to make contact with Odin and the gods/goddesses of the North.

I was given this ritual 15 years ago and I, not being a teenager, performed it partially with great results.

Always keep in mind that I, Ragnar Storyteller, having been outlawed by the Asatru Alliance and the self imposed godis and leaders, have been given permission by Odin to place some very powerful rituals on my website.

He and I are in accord,

if not in actual physical contact, then in mental atunement.

I need to update Odin and the runes and the gods/goddesses of our ancestors into the 21st century. To free Odin from the limitations of the Viking Age.

I was given this ritual while I was writing my first book with and for Odin.

Have you ever woke in the middle of the night with the urge to write something? Took pen and paper in hand and wrote as fast as you could. Then, when you were finished, read it to see what you had written?

That book being Odin's Return.

So, the easiest way for me to present this ritual to you is to copy it, abridged from the book.

Here goes from Odin's Return:

"The summer solstice was fast approaching and Thorolfr had reached his thirteenth year. His year of manhood. The blood of his ancestors pumped furiously through his veins. His size though not yet full in stature, was bigger than any of the other boys in the village. He almost stood as tall as a full grown man. His muscles bulged pridefully through his thin clothes.

"... Thorolfr started towards the mountains the next morning to start his Odin ritual

"He must remember all the steps that the hooded-one had told him upon their last meeting.

"As he walked through the forest towards the mountains, his eyes scoured the area for a tree. It had to be a special tree. A tree that had been struck by lightening. He needed to gather wood from it for his Odin ritual.

"... there it was, a giant ash stripped of all branches and split in the middle.

"It had been hit by Thor's lightening. It was just what he needed for Odins ritual.

"He pulled some ropes from his backpack and tied the wood into a neat bundle.

"He could still feel the heat in the wood. But how could that be? There hadn't been a storm in a week.

"He smiled and recalled the stories told by his father around the campfire about how Odin and the other gods/goddesses could intervene and perform miraculous and magical things to prepare for certain rituals.

"... he started again towards the mountain and the words that Odin had spoke to him ringed through his head. '...like a god you must live and like a god you must die ...'"

"He climbed the mountain slowly and steadily. The weight of the bundle of wood on his back chafed him and he had to shift the load from time to time.

"It was getting towards late afternoon and he finally spotted what looked like an opening between a bunch of bushes.

"... he pushed the bushes aside and saw a small cave. It would be perfect for his three night Odin's vigil .

"That night he made a fire of the sacred wood and all alone with his thoughts he kept a vigil in the cave. He had nothing to eat nor drink except bread and water.

"The hooded-one had told him that he must purge himself by fasting with bread and water.

"That night as he sat by his fire he felt a strangeness that he never felt before. He felt the presence of beings, of higher ones, of gods.

"He could not see them but he felt them. He shuddered in fear as he thought of their closeness.

"... for three days and three nights Thorolfr remained in the cave sustaining himself on nothing but the bread and water.

"Then on midnight of the third day, Thorolfr rebuilt the fire with the last of the sacred wood.

"He sat in front of the fire in a trance-like state. The three days of silence and fasting had raised his level of consciousness and his mind was sharp and eager to learn.

"The fire in front of him danced back and forth and swayed to a hidden rhythm. He watched it in quiet fascination.

"Little faces appeared in the flames and Thorolfr instinctively knew that the fire was alive.

"... he stood up and looked deeply into the flames. The flames parted and he could see a god-like man standing at the entrance to a bridge. The bridge glowed with all the radiant colors of the rainbow.

"... the god-like man, in full battle dress and winged helm stared sternly at Thorolfr.

I did not perform the following part of the ritual farther than pricking my thumb with my dagger to draw a little blood. Any teenager performing this ritual can do the same. I only present it to you as it was given to me.)

Ragnar Storyteller

"... he remembered what the hooded-one told him he must do. He took his dagger from his waist band.

"... he then said 'may this sacrifice of my blood help bring forth the gods of my Fathers back into my world. May my blood help rejuvenate the ancestral soul of the kindred.

"... then using the dagger he made three incisions of his chest and let the blood flow freely.

"He held the tip of the dagger so that the blood flowed onto it.

"He said, 'with this blood, I devote myself to Odin and the gods/goddesses of my ancestors.

"... He let the blood drop into the flames.

"When he had finished he raised his hand into the air and said, 'in the name of Oidn, Thor and Tyr, I dedicate my life to the protection of our ancestral soul.

"... he waited till the last vestige of life went out of the fire. Then he gathered his things and started back down the mountain to the village."

This is indeed a very powerful teenage rites of passage.

One of the reasons we as a Northern European Peoples are losing our country and are being forced out of the cities is because the other cultures all have maintained rites of passages for their children.

The Native Americans have theirs; the Asians have theirs, the Jews have theirs, even the black gangs in the inner cities have theirs

Time for us to build independent one-on-one relationships with Odin and the gods/goddesses of our ancestors.

But most of all we must free them from the confining limits of the viking age, and bring them into the 21st century where we can empower them.

Ragnar Sroryteller

Ellis Peterson AKA Ragnar Storyteller (earned Viking name) is 72 and a skald and runemaster. He is a retired math professor and electrical engineer. He brings his scientific knowledge of Quantum Physics into his Runic Information Website. He offers a unique approach to Runes and Quantum Physcis. He offers free Runic and Quantum Physics essays and articles plus a free newsletter. To take advantage of his uniquely interesting stuff check out his website at http://www.runes-for-health-wealth-love-now.com

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A Wedding As a Rite of Passage

Most cultures support a bride as she goes from being a single woman to being a married woman. There are specific rituals, specific actions, and specific people who help her glide through this transition. Those cultures aren't so concerned with creating a gorgeous event as they are with helping a woman make an internal shift from one role to another.

That shift is of seismic proportions!

It automatically brings up every emotion you're capable of having, and those feelings are probably amplified. Our culture is so focused on the Special Day that the internal shift is often ignored.

The bride is the center of attention, but the irony of it is, her emotional self can be ignored. As she makes the shift from "me" to "we" the feelings that come up can end up being projected onto the details of the wedding.

What does that mean?

If you can't have the kind of flowers you wanted, you feel emotionally overwhelmed - that may stem from the grief, or other feelings you're encountering inside. Grief! Yes, grief. Whenever we make an internal shift, we lose something and we gain something. At a wedding, you lose being able to be only "you." From then on, you will be an essential partner focused on "we." Your old life is essentially dying as a new life takes root.

If you can't have your wedding in the place you wanted, you may feel angry - that can come up as a result of feeling powerless inside. Powerless! Yes, powerless. Again, from now on, you won't be in total control in terms of the choices you make in life. There will be a "we" to consider.

If your dress isn't exactly the way you wanted it to be, you may dissolve into tears - tears can come up because you're suddenly feeling small and uncertain with a low self-esteem. At any given moment, the child inside you may not be ready to leave home.

Emotions and weddings go together. That's a given. Almost every bride (and groom!) feels very emotional at some time during the process.

There are lots of people who can help you with the details of your wedding. Wedding coaches help you with your interior life that's represented by your wedding.

You've probably been dreaming of this day since you were a little girl. The first thing you need to do is pull all of your ideas into one radiant vision!

Put away the pictures from all the magazines. Just for a while, put your wedding planner down. Leave behind all of the advice you've received from your relatives, friends and shop-owners.

Want we want to do here is make sure you're clear about exactly what you want for yourself and your groom. Here is an exercise to help you focus on the aspects of your wedding that you would like to create:

Take a deep breath, and now another. In a moment, you'll close your eyes. When you do, imagine exactly the way you want your wedding to feel. What does your special day feel like for you? Can you see yourself getting dressed? What do you feel like? Can you see yourself at the beginning of the ceremony? How does that feel? Can you see your groom waiting for you? How are you feeling now? As you walk up to be with him, how are you feeling now? As you go through your ceremony, how does that feel?

Take a few moments, and imagine your wedding day from the very beginning until the very end. When you're through, write down what came to you.

Good job! Were there any surprises?

If you imagined yourself beautiful and relaxed, radiant and in love, you're very lucky. But many people can't see a vision at all. Or they see themselves as fearful and anxious.

It's important to envision your wedding as you would like it, with joy and love, then take a deep breath and relax.

The rite of passage has already begun, so enjoy the journey!

Summary

When planning marriage:

Make sure you are both on the same track
Start thinking of 'we' not just me
Everything doesn't have to be perfect
Have a spirit of play and joy
Emotions and your wedding go together - be aware of internal emotions through the transition
Imagine your dream wedding

Mitta Vicki Wise is an RN, Stress Management and Alternative Health Practitioner for over 15 years. She also is a Wedding coach for bride's stress management and to help brides be beautiful on the inside and the outside! She is the co-author of the book: "The Secret to a Fabulous Wedding"

http://www.bestweddingcoach.com
http://www.energylifesystems.com

Co-author for this article: Sandra Reid
Sandra has dressed hundreds of brides in beautiful wedding gowns and now works as a financial, life and wedding coach. She also has a background in Holistic Health and is the co-author of "The Secret to a Fabulous Wedding"

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Celebrate a Rite of Passage the Right Way!

An important birthday such as a bar mitzvah, a bat mitzvah or a quinceanera deserves to be noted not just by the acknowledgment of a young person finding his/her way to adulthood but also an opportunity to gather family and friends in one large celebration! A rite of passage certainly needs to be celebrated in a big way. Regardless of budget, you can definitely find a way to make this special occasion an event to remember!

As family and friends gather, make sure they have a beautiful venue to recognize the honoree! Your son/daughter will not only love this chance to pass through the rites of adulthood and new maturity and responsibility but what maturing tween doesn't love a terrific party? Reward them for a great childhood and wish them good luck with their other adventures by throwing a terrific event in a spectacular location!

As you approach this event and begin planning for your loved one's party, keep in mind your actual budget. Having realistic expectations and understanding what you can get for your money will make party planning not only easier on the wallet, but much less stressful. Converse with your loved one and make sure he/she understands the parameters of your budget and the expectations he/she ought to have. For example, if you have budgeted a modest amount, make sure the honoree understands that he/she shouldn't be expecting to ride into the party on the back of a live elephant or other elaborate gestures. Talk over the menu with him/her and see what tastes he/she has and what his/her vision is for their special day. Keep it realistic but also try to make it fun and exciting! After all, an event like this only comes once in a lifetime!

Throwing a party for a young person can be challenging. Take time to consult and have an honest conversation about food, decorations, music possibilities, etc. Although you may not have a pile of money to burn, it won't be hard to make this young honoree happy if you simply listen to their wishes and find ways to create a great atmosphere for him/her and all of your guests. Take him/her to various venues and see which one is preferred. You don't need to scout out every possible meeting place in Spokane, but it would certainly be advised to listen carefully as you decide on where to hold this special event. In the end, it's meant to make your loved one feel honored and happy about getting older, let them have a small say in what could go into their party.

Christian Heftel is a staff writer at The Lincoln Center. For meeting place Spokane information, please visit The Lincoln Center.

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Learning To Drive: A Rite Of Passage

In modern western society a common rite of passage most youth will engage in at some point or another is learning how to drive an automobile. Often times this can come at a time in a teen and their parent's life that is marked with all sorts of strange, unique, and sometimes beautiful changes in their life. For the person learning to drive, this may mark a transition into what they perceive as adulthood, the proverbial 'learning to fly'. For their parents this may be equally marked with fear and anxiety over their young driver and his or her abilities and the inherent dangers of the road and this newfound freedom. This is why finding a skilled, licensed, and most importantly, trustworthy instructor for your kids while they are learning to drive is a necessity.

Often time's parents want to teach their children how to drive on their own. It gives them a sense of security knowing they are in the car with them and gain the most knowledge in a safe environment as possible. This is a great tool in helping those that would learn how to drive learn the basic of the road, as well as what is expected of them from their guardian while they are behind the wheel. Unfortunately, many states in the US require the student to learn from a licensed Drivers Education Instructor. This way the state is able to keep track of those that are learning and who is teaching them.

So as a parent or guardian of a would be driving school student, the best possible thing you can do for them is make sure they are getting the best possible instruction for the best possible price. Sometimes long hours of research are required to do just this but it is always worth it in the end. A few options with their pros and cons are listed below:

Education Through The School District

Many school districts offer in school driver's education. This is usually the most economical option.

Pros: Cost effective, peace of mind, usually daily/weekly reports of how your child is doing, safe

Cons: Usually takes about twice the amount of time as a private school, instructors are usually teachers that have many other things going on i.e.. less flexibility, worry about influence from your children's friends while they are behind the wheel, large class sizes, age limits/school policies.

Private Driving School

A licensed and bonded driving instructor that teaches classes through a private business.

Pros: Usually very timely, safe, licensed and bonded, you can pick your child's plan, (sometimes, this is something you need to ask about) small class sizes, more flexibility, no age limit, usually an emphasis on safe and courteous driving

Cons: Usually more expensive than School District education, (sometimes, again, this is something you need to ask about) larger class sizes

Private One-on-One Instruction

Hiring a private instructor to teach your young would-be driver.

Pros: Safe, usually very fast, much flexibility, no age limit, one-on-one attention

Cons: usually very pricey, missed social interactions/ input from others

Whatever option you chose; make sure you do your research. Ask as many questions as you can and weight the answers against each other and the needs of your would-be driver. Most importantly find a place that is a safe environment that will teach your child not only how to drive, but how to drive with courteously and defensively. Happy hunting!

For more information on Driving School Classes you can visit Independent Driving School. Independent Driving School is an Utah Driving School located in Spanish Fork, Utah.

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The Rite of Passage

Writer Poet McCullough offers the reader a meandering poem beginning with "Translations from the writings of Iyouhesheit Weyoutheyme." McCullough provides insight into life: at any moment of the day there is life.

Our emotions are explored before the writer leads the reader into a glimpse into the life most of us share: "Born of a lineage of emigrants..." and McCullough guides us along a journey our ancestors chose.

"Religion" is investigated before McCullough steers our thinking to the present: "I add to my generation, but remain within my own life." Turning to new sentiments McCullough shows the reader how The planet where we live transforms. I especially enjoyed the refrain dealing with Conversation of weather. A conflict of values is presented in lines meant to be read, and then read again. While the notion that each Season is made for another. The lines delving into I: I of creatures, I of spirit, I of person I of myself, I of communities and farms and ... give the reader a peek into ourselves in ways we may not have thought to explore before. Predilection that Time has no emotion or that people while the same are all different at the same time is not an easy concept to grasp. Land, millions of acres is presented along with the poet's thoughts dealing with Personal commitment and inherent trust. A Love of being alive and simple pleasures of a day round out the work. "If" leads the reader into considering many thought provoking tenets. If there were no written words...

The Rite of Passage extends to the reader a touching, momentary view into one man's introspection as he investigates an abundance that life has to offer. Most of us never reach so deep within ourselves to bring forward what may be the foremost of what make us human. Writer/Poet McCullough adroitly captures matchless and bittersweet significance in this ardently written, thought provoking work. The measure and accustomed language used by the writer bestows magnificent cadence to the reading. Unassuming but puissant in significance and sentiment presented in an uncomplicated style; The Rite of Passage is enhanced by extension, showcasing a sequence of stirring reflections. The free verse format is excellent here and effect space for the reader to participate in the emotions stirred by the poet's muse. Charming verse with sweeping appeal. I like the fervent explicitness of this distinctively expressed, refreshing write. The flow is as the current running over a well worn riverbed in this eminent rhetoric.

A stimulating read offered by a talented writer/poet; The Rite of Passage is a reflective, perspicacious work with many messages imbedded in it. Happy to recommend.

Reviewed by: molly martin

http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mollymartin

http://www.AuthorsDen.com/mjhollingshead

Genre: Poetry

Author: . Joseph McCullough

Line/Publisher Six Gallery Press

http://www.sixgallerypress.com/ PO BOX 90145 Pittsburgh, PA 15224 USA

ISBN: 0-9746033-5-X

Available: Amazon

Available: Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/097460335X/qid%3D1090644212/sixgallerypress/102-6774491-6405712

Parent, writer, reviewer, educator

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The Last Rite of Passage - Old Age

"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live."

Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor, AD 121-180

Here is a reality check into what it means to be old in America, and it doesn't look good. According to the US Census Bureau, more of us are living longer. Our present life expectancy is 76 - 80, and by 2030, people 65 and older will make up 20% of the US population (71 million). When you reach 65, you will have an 80% chance of acquiring at least one chronic condition (most probably arthritis), and a 50% chance of having two. In addition to short term memory loss, there is the dreaded Alzheimer's, which affects 10% of us over 65 and 47% of us over 85. When you get old, you can expect unrelenting deterioration of your physical health, mental faculties and quality of life - and soaring medical expenses.

So, is there anything good about getting old? Based on my recent experience at age 73, my response is a resounding, "Yes!"

By 72 I fit the aging profile (arthritis, two hip replacements) and shared my displeasure with my friend, William, then 87. "I'm younger than you," I grumbled, "but now I have your symptoms: short term memory loss, can't concentrate and I'm depressed and preoccupied with death. All I do is read novels, watch Netflix movies and eat ice cream. Remember, when your mother was on her death bed and told you: 'Sonny, life is 'bullshit.' Well, she got that right. Do you think maybe we have Alzheimer's?"

Now a year later, I discovered that rather than Alzheimer's, I had been experiencing a normal life passage, one of several that occur throughout our adult lives. The first passage is adolescence, when, at about age 13, we begin to leave childhood behind. The second passage, which occurs around age 35, is the infamous midlife crisis, when we leave youth behind. The third passage occurs around age 50, when we confront the imminence of old age. When we actually reach old age, at around age 70, the challenge is to leave everything behind and confront death.

Each of these passages is a window of opportunity, which opens the way for us to progress to higher levels of maturity; when we do, we acquire new knowledge and abilities. When we successfully navigate "The Last Rite of Passage," we achieve the highest level of a mature, adult consciousness - peace.

Ideally, we should proceed through these four tumultuous stages of personal growth in a timely manner. Two things hold us back: unresolved childhood traumas and holding on to the beliefs and concepts we acquired from our cultural indoctrination. Until we overcome these impediments, we remain psychological children, compelled to repeat the past, acting out the roles assigned to us by our particular culture, unable to think for ourselves.

When I freed myself from the past and self-actualized myself during the late middle age passage (early fifties), I did not anticipate another psychological crisis. Consequently, twenty years later, when I began to experience The Last Rite of Passage, I had no idea what was happening. I spontaneously began to review my life, from childhood to the present, my successes and failures, times when I was happy and times when I despaired. I recalled the significant people in my life, the good guys and the bad guys. Most of all I grieved. When I looked in the mirror and saw the old woman looking back at me, I grieved for the loss of my youthful good looks and physical strength. I grieved the loss of my work with clients and that my brain was too old to come up with new insights. Most of all I grieved the loss of my daughters; whether they died first or I did, I would inevitably lose them. No wonder I was depressed.

The epiphany that caused my symptoms to disappear occurred when I was watching one of my Netflix films, an Argentinean movie, Common Ground, which is based on a novel by Lorenzo F. Aristarain. The main character is a university professor named Fernando, who is forced into early retirement. Throughout the movie, Fernando philosophizes about life. His soliloquy about death exactly described my state of mind for the past year. "A ha! It's not Alzheimer's! It's not a clinical depression! It's not even personal! It's just another life passage!" How silly of me not to realize that, of course, there must be a passage that marks the end stage of life!

Here is Fernando's soliloquy: "The lucid man can live as long as he has a drive for life. That dark instinctive force can be lost. Then it's necessary to call on something like faith, and to invent a reason, a goal, to replace that lost animal impulse with a cold, rational will. But that will is hard to keep up. Suddenly, for no reason, it burns out, it disappears. It's then when you go on or quit. When you can or you cannot. And if you can't, there is no guilt. The love of others, our love for others, it doesn't matter. If we can't go on, things go on without us. Everything passes, absence passes. We know death before we die. It's an ancient routine, a common end. A wish-for end awaited without fear, for we have experienced it many times before. Nothing matters."

My "depression" disappeared the instant I read Fernando's words translated in the movie's subtitles. My normal high-energy sense of well-being returned, deeper and stronger than before. Thoughts of death receded from the forefront of my mind into the background. My behavior changed. Instead of not purchasing anything because "I will be dead soon," I bought some new clothes and a new computer, became more physically active, began to write again, and hired a tech to upgrade my computer skills. The increased individual freedom and power that emerged produced subtle changes in my relationships. Emotionally, I felt at peace, a spiritual experience that I will not even attempt to describe.

You may think it strange that simply being able to make sense of an experience could have such a big effect. However, our brains are programmed to try to interpret our experiences in a way that makes sense. When we cannot, we acquire repressed memories that bind us to the past. After three years in Nazi concentration camps, Victor Frankl, an Austrian psychiatrist, instituted a new method of psychotherapy that is based on helping people make sense of their life experiences. You could say that Fernando was my therapist, who helped me make sense of the confusing experiences associated with The Final Rite of Passage.

We are born naked and, for sure, we take nothing with us when we die. When we let go of everything during The Final Rite of Passage, we prepare ourselves for death and before we die, we get to enjoy the new abilities that emerge. Having nothing to lose puts us in the most powerful position of all to deal with life's challenges. We acquire an empty mind, the Zen mind, which enables us to experience reality in a way that is beyond words - what is, is. Paradoxically, when we experience death, we enjoy life more than ever before, even though it consists of "sound and fury, signifying nothing." (There is more to "nothing" than meets the eye.) Of all my new experiences, the one that affects me the most is a new kind of love that emerged, which is deeper and more profound than I can possibly describe. Although I experienced this love first with my daughters, I notice it spilling over into other areas of my life.

When we make the last passage, like a ship that has cast off the last line that secures it to the dock, we are free to sail away.

Since childhood, Jean's quest has been the search for knowledge, which is synonymous with power. Her intent is to empower individuals looking to jump start their psychological evolution and achieve higher consciousness. Her book, The Greatest Escape: Travel the Quantum Path to Personal Freedom, providers readers with the theory underlying two quantum personal growth techniques, which produce immediate results, without talking about problems. Plenty of colorful pictures enhance the learning and make the book fun to read. More information can be found at http://www.quantumboyd.com

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Moist Juicy Barbecued Ribs Equals Rite of Passage

Yesterday I made the perfect batch of barbecued pork ribs. Accomplishing this was no less important than the first time I watched Rebecca Demornay in Risky Business, the first time I wrote a check to pay a credit card payment, or suffering through my first divorce.

At some point on that day, yes I wrote it on my calendar, I crossed over the line that took me from just being the guy with a spatula to a certified grill master.

I do consider myself a purist in that I choose to use charcoal instead of gas. This requires more skill and attentiveness. A minute spent going inside after the sauce could mean out of control flames and the difference between charcoal and charbroiled depending upon what you are preparing.

Anyone can throw hamburgers or steaks on the grill. If you overcook them kind thoughtful family members are likely to respond with something like this "no really, we like our burgers a little crispy." If you take a steak off too soon and it is red in the middle instead of a little pink these same people could respond, "you know if you overcook a steak you take away some of the flavor."

Ribs on the other hand require preparation. You have to know what you are doing before you actually do it. Barbecuing ribs is a thinking man's sport, much akin to chess.

No one can say that I do not have a flair for the melodramatic.

Fail at your task and you do not need confirmation from your guests. You know it. You see the sadness in their eyes. Shame and disappointment is what you are seeing.

Succeed and you receive the admiration of your loved ones. You will hear more "oohs" and "ahhs" than you do at the Fourth of July fireworks. If you are lucky more than one person will say, "If I eat another bite I think I'm going to throw up."

I shall reveal the most crucial steps in the process. I will not keep it a secret. Everyone shall know.

Keep in mind that this is my method for cooking country style pork ribs. Baby back ribs would require a little tweaking concerning the preparation of the meat.

Let us begin. You must use moistened hickory chips spread atop the charcoal. Duh.

You must boil the ribs for at least one hour before you even think about putting them on the grill. You can keep soaking the ribs in the water if you place them in the refrigerator. There are those who recommend this. I do not think this is necessary.

You must wrap the whole batch (not each individual rib) of ribs loosely in aluminum foil. It is a good idea to coat the aluminum foil with cooking spray. Yes they will stick to the aluminum foil if they are tender enough.

Place the ribs on the grill for ten minutes wrapped like this to encourage the meat to cook through without burning.

After ten minutes open the aluminum foil up and poke holes in the bottom to allow the hickory smoke to waft through the meat.

Slather the meat with your favorite sauce on all sides and continue cooking until done.

This should result in juicy, moist, fall-off-the-bone, mouth watering ribs that you can be proud of.

I could reveal my sauce recipe but that would be expecting a little too much. I am generous, not crazy.

Dan Bimrose is the creator of coffeeandprozac.com [http://www.coffeeandprozac.com] a website devoted to making people think, laugh or cry. Daily Opinions, Editorials, and Stories [http://www.coffeeandprozac.com] He suggests dropping bread crumbs so that you can find your way back on a daily basis.

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Surgery As A Rite of Passage

Every moment in life is precious. Every single one. Even the difficult ones. Even the one when your doctor says: "We have to operate". Never good news yet an important moment in our lives. I've been there - several times. A bout with cancer necessitated my having six surgeries in four years and then three years of chemotherapy.

Admittedly, this was a rough road. However, this journey through the labyrinth of critical illness and multiple surgeries truly transformed my life. It turns out that it was a great blessing to me. It was precious time. Therefore, I'm proffering a re- framing of this dreaded fate - surgery.

It's not a walk in the park, that's for sure. It's going to involve discomfort and probably pain, to say nothing of an abrupt interruption in life as usual. We're going to be weakened and not up to snuff. The anticipation of surgery is so daunting, that we almost always succumb to major resistance. There's fear - anger - sadness - "Why me?" - "Why now?" "What did I do to deserve this?"

We're aching for the answers to these questions. Nevertheless, once we've acknowledged all this upset, it behooves us to understand that resistance creates tension and a lot of suffering within the body/mind system. That's the last thing we need right now. There's a Zen koan that says: "in this life pain is inevitable- suffering is optional". So if we choose to have this situation be as easeful as possible, we have to let go of the suffering -- to let go of the resistance and surrender to the process. As hard as it is to fathom it, this surgery experience is here for a reason. This is not an accident. And, believe me, it's not simply here to adjust something in our bodies. It's a very well disguised gift with the potential to take us on a journey to the very essence of ourselves -- a journey for which we will be eternally grateful.

It seems to me that by the time our immune systems are sufficiently compromised to require someone taking a knife to our bodies, the Universe has surely been shouting to get our attention for a long time. Our lives for many and varied reasons have gotten unbalanced and we need to regroup in a major way. I find it very interesting in these days of miracle drugs, that we can be extremely unwell but kept going by super pills or injections that mask our symptoms and allow us to continue our relentless pace. How ridiculous. Our magnificent body/mind system is giving us the message to lie down and rest deeply, and we keep truckin'. Sooner or later the condition becomes so acute we're brought to our knees. And here we are in the hospital in this silly little cotton dress anticipating surgery.

And this is where my new perspective comes into play. I'm suggesting that we consider surgery a rite of passage . Furthermore, I m advocating that it (and all crises) be acknowledged as such. In this light, what is commonly considered an onerous situation can be acknowledged as a catalyst for wondrous transformation.

A definition of rite of passage is: a ritual or ceremony signifying an event in a person's life indicative of a transition from one stage to another. As in rituals of old, there s an interesting parallel to the surgical event in that it plucks us out of our daily routine; takes us to a foreign space where we have very little control of our comings and goings; introduces us to strange substances that alter the way our bodies feel and our minds perceive; and, compels us to surrender our fate to the prevailing leadership.

I contend that instead of grinding through all that the surgical process entails, kicking and screaming until the big drugs take over, that we relax and surrender to this arduous ritual, trusting its mysterious, sacred purpose in our lives and opening up to the magnificent transition that can provide us with entry into a whole new way of being. Even if we think our lives are just fine, I assure you, our capacity for feeling fabulous is boundless. It's all about love.

Our bodies are truly magnificent. They are marvels. They are healing machines. They are constantly renewing themselves, though admittedly not so effectively when we've gotten too far out of balance. And all they want is to be appropriately cared for. They want delicious and nutritious food and drink. They want fresh air and exercise. They want rewarding work and delightful play. They want deeply satisfying rest and relaxation. And they want to be loved. Not just by our parents, friends, colleagues and significant others - they want to be loved by us!

I understand that when our bodies are hurting and giving us a lot of grief, we're not feeling all that loving toward them. But this downtime is the perfect opportunity to begin a life-long loving relationship with our body. It's time! It's imperative!

Even if you're having problems with your physical heart right now - acknowledge it - the constant, vital service it provides to your body throughout your entire life. How fantastic! Say "thank you" to your miraculous beating heart. Say "thank you" to your breathing - even if it may be hampered at this time - say "thank you" for this totally natural function within your body/mind system - relax and let it be as easeful as the tides in the ocean. Every organ in our bodies is unceasingly performing its specific function to sustain our well-being. It's time to say, "thank you" - "I love you" - "I'm so grateful for all you do". Yes. Smile. Breathe. Your body is feeling better already.

Right this moment decide that this surgery is your personal, sacred "Rite of Passage". Decide that this challenging passage is here to totally enhance your life, ultimately providing you with a glorious sense of wholeness and connection and vibrant aliveness. Decide that this "Rite of Passage" is going to deliver you to a path of such great caring and love and gratitude for yourself and others and all of life that you and your life will bloom beyond your wildest dreams. Feel the gratitude. Life - it's all about Love. Every moment is precious.

Whenever in Doubt, Come Home to Your Heart, Elizabeth Hepburn http://www.elizabethhepburn.blogspot.com

http://www.elizabethhepburn.com

Elizabeth Hepburn's victory over cancer shifted her career from musical theater to the healing arts. She is now a Wellness Facilitator and through her programs, CDs and the Better & Better Series she sets the stage to invigorate the magnificent healing power within us all.

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Time to Be a Boy - A Son's Rite of Passage

When we found out, in 2004, that we were having a son I secretly freaked. Not because I didn't want a boy, I just couldn't help but visualize him terrorizing girls, racing cars on the backstreets of Atlanta, or burning down his high school gym. I had virtually convinced myself, before he was much larger than a golfball, that I'd have to send him off to a far away boarding school or juvenile detention center. Fortunately my anxiety waned after Bubba was born and as we celebrate his seventh birthday this weekend I couldn't imagine my life now without him in it.

For a lot of dads the thought of raising boys seem almost unnatural. That unless sports is involved, dads are challenged to find ways of connecting with their son, and with so much of parenting being about nurture and affection many men simply aren't able to give what they never received. Because so many of our fathers missed the parenting gold star with us, we weren't handed the necessary road map giving us proper directions on taking our own sons into manhood. And that isn't necessarily our dad's fault as most of their fathers didn't perform the task any better.

Then adding insult to injury is the contradiction in society about what a man ought to look like. Should the Marlboro Man, that rugged loner who wrangles steers and sits by camp-fires, personify the ideal man? (That same guy so many women are asking "where has he gone to"?) Or should men be like Will Truman (Will and Grace), docile and passive, eager to watch sappy chick flicks and express every plausible emotion that comes into their heads?

Men's locker rooms, the golf course, and biker rallies force each man to ratchet up the inner machismo; where hot chicks, homophobic jokes, and fast cars tend to dominate the conversation. Today's dads know that in these settings being a Pee Wee Herman will ensure your feelings get hurt and may land you an atomic wedgie. But we also understand that once everyone gets off the Isle of Man, being Maximus (Gladiator) might get you condemned for being insensitive, too assertive, overtly macho, and too ambitious. Not surprising, it's this same man who gets the blame for most of the world's ills.

Being faced with this quandary I decided early on to approach fathering my son in stages. The first, his infant and childhood stage, has been to simply protect, nurture, show affection, and keep him from running into traffic. To pour on the kisses, hugs and snuggles even if, at his young age, it felt strange to show that kind of tenderness to a boy; but as he responded and reciprocated it has become as natural as for his sister. This includes telling him how much I love him even if he is less than eager to respond in kind.

So it's been my job for the last seven years to ensure that he knows his place as the apple of my eye and treat him as that child that he has been. However with his seventh birthday comes a turning point in his life, in my view he has shed the clothing of a child and is ready to begin donning the garments that will carry him into adulthood. This birthday weekend will serve as an initiation ritual ushering in the next stage of his life - that of boyhood.

Virtually unheard of in the western world, male initiation rites have been conducted for centuries across civilizations. The most well-known in today's culture, the Bar Mitzvah requires boys of 13 to read from the Torah. From this point, they are officially considered men and are personally responsible for adherence to Jewish law and their own actions. But it was the movie 300 that brought a historical context to the male rite of passage. At the age of seven, a Spartan boy would be yanked from his family to live with other boys in a school called the Agoge until reaching the age of 29. There he would learn all that was needed to be a productive Spartan man and especially a warrior. Records show that the training was brutal and often included murder as a proof of manhood. While our civilized society would view this as despicable, some of today's more primitive cultures continue to practice male initiation rites which aren't recommended for those with weak constitutions.

In the Sambia tribe of New Guinea, boys are removed from female company at around the age of 7 to live only with men in the form of clubhouse until they are married. They are forced to have regular nosebleeds and consume semen which is considered essential to encouraging masculine growth and development.

With the Mardudjara Aborigines in Australia, between 10 and 12 years of age, a boy will have a front tooth knocked out and his septum will be pierced. At this point, they are symbolically dead. After which they are taken into the wilderness by other men, then circumcised and expected to ingest the foreskin without chewing. Then, covered in blood, they are considered reborn as adult males.

Fortunately for Bubba and I his ritual will be conducted in more hospitable surroundings. It will be just him and I, a tent, sleeping bags, hotdogs, marshmallows with chocolate, graham crackers and a new boy's bicycle. Because if self mutilation and drinking bodily fluid is what it takes to be a man, he's on his own

Kyle (aka ChopperPapa) is naive enough to believe he has something important to say. He's been a parent in the modern family since 2004, co-parenting his enchanting daughter (8) and rambunctious son (7) with the skill of a British nanny. With an itching to be a Hell's Angel he's far too metro sexual to actually get in; leaving him to direct his custom chopper towards the nearest martini lounge, but only if they serve buffalo wings and have hookahs. With a fondness for cold beer, loud engines, and fresh bed sheets it's clear he has an identity crisis. By day he's a banker which keeps the lights on and the child support paid, in his remaining 46 minutes he blogs, sleeps, works out, courts his Queen, and performs Academy worthy parenting feats.

http://ChopperPapa.com is home base for laying down his observations on single fatherhood, parenting, relationships, dating, and other intellectual roadkill. Blogging since late '10, he's amassed a loyal following of distant relatives and mental patients.

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Family-Nurturing Communication Topic - Kindergarten Graduate to First Grade - Rite of Passage

Prepare a Personal Family Event to celebrate this significant milestone in your family. The more personal and private the better as it is an occasion different than the public"one for each child. Let your Kindergarten graduate show what she or he has accomplished the following activities:

Know all capital and lower case letters. recognize
Know the days of the week and the months of the year
Know phone number, address, and birthday
Count from 1-30
Able to say the months of the year


During the summer break create ways to re-enforce that information with your Kindergarten graduate.

At this age summer is long, memory is short when not plugged in often. Your graduate couldn't wait to go from pre-school to Kindergarten now they can't wait for first grade which, to some children with older siblings, is "real" school because there is homework.


In preparing for first grade observe whether or not your child in comfortable in the following areas:

Use family-nurturing time to enhance communication skills, listening skills and follow-thru.
Create opportunities for dialogue and observe your child's comfort level in discussion.


Use the Bible to strengthen the Kindergarten graduate's relationship with the Lord, family, friends. Illustrations from Vacation Bible School can be used at this time. Most themes from VBS can be enhanced with further discussion at home. Here are a few examples from previous VBS summer's.

A series emphasis on the Truth about Jesus. Devote a time during family dialogue for your Kindergarten graduate to share the truth learned about Jesus Christ at VBS.
Help your child articulate the facts of Christ's life and teaching as well as His Deity. The summer between Kindergarten and First Grade can be an exciting one for your "Graduate."

Huldah Jones invites you learn more techniques to begin a Strategy for Family-Nurturing Communication at [http://www.jbhgroup.com]

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Leaving Your Kids Home Alone - A Scary Rite of Passage

Anyone with children surely realizes that the time will come when it's time to trust their children to stay home alone. This is always a nerve-wracking time for parents, and it can also be a very touchy subject- some parents find it acceptable to let their young children come home from school alone, while others wouldn't dream of leaving their high-school students home alone for an afternoon.

The decision to stop hiring a babysitter when you'll be out of the house is one that must involve careful consideration. There is no set age when a child becomes responsible enough - so you must consider your child's responsibility level. Then, too, is the responsibility level of his or her friends. Do you trust them to behave themselves when home alone, or will they pressure your son or daughter into bad behaviors? Do the parents of your child's friends already allow them to stay home alone? This might factor into your decision, too.

Making the choice to allow your child to stay home alone isn't just about your child. It's also about the neighborhood in which you live and the security of your home. If you live in a safe neighborhood where parents routinely entrust their kids with a lot of responsibility, you might feel better about leaving your kids home alone.

Of course, it's also a decision about money. Maybe you must work long hours, or can't afford daycare or a babysitter. In this situation, you might find yourself leaving the kids home alone more than you ordinarily would. While this is certainly understandable, it is also important to set aside the resources needed to make your home as safe as possible while you're away.

There's nothing wrong with worrying about your kids when they are home by themselves, but you can help yourself feel more at ease by installing simple home security devices. Outdoor lighting, door and window alarms, and surveillance cameras will all make your home safer, and not just when your kids are home alone. Consider a "nanny cam" or hidden camera, which can transmit a real-time view of your home over the internet to your computer when you're away from home.

Home security is as much about information as it is about security devices. Talk with your child to make sure they feel comfortable staying home by themselves. Make sure they know how to get inside, and what to do in case of an emergency- from an intruder to a fire. If your kids are coming home from school to an empty house, leave a spare key in a disguised rock or thermometer so that they can get inside if they've forgotten theirs. Leave the phone number of a trusted neighbor, and tell them how to contact you if they feel the need.

Finally, establish house rules with your child. Can they invite friends over? Throw a party while you're away? Watch TV and eat junk food all day? Besides outlining acceptable behaviors while they're home alone, make sure that you reinforce the importance of using door and window locks, and arming the alarm system.

Resist Attack has a full range of TASER devices to keep you and your family safe. Also check for current specials on a extendable baton

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Getting Pregnant: A Female Rite Of Passage

It is important for women in their child bearing years to have a healthy bodyweight. In case you are trying to get pregnant and you too thin, this might lower your chances. Women who are under a healthy weight often have irregular cycle which is a primary indication of a healthy woman. A woman body is intended to carry much more body fat compared to males. Men can keep healthy with just 5% body weight, but women require at least 10 to 12% to be healthy.

In case you are underweight or perhaps if you have below 10% body fat, you need to improve your body fat or weight to boost your chances of getting pregnant. Most female sports athletes lose their menstrual cycles temporarily. In case you need to improve your likelihood of getting pregnant, it is important to have a regular period. Make adjustments to your physical activities to avoid pressuring your body.

Eating a nutritious diet can help you sustain a healthy bodyweight and so improve your likelihood of having a baby. If you're eating too much or not eating enough, you will be lowering your chances. Too much bodyweight or fat in your blood stream could impede your likelihood of getting pregnant; the same can be said where there is not sufficient body fat.

In the event that you're having problems to conceive, you need to consult your medical doctor. The doctor can examine your menstrual period or deficiency of one; your lifestyle and bodyweight in order to see what adjustments you can in order to get pregnant.

When you take folic acid supplements this cannot improve your chances of becoming pregnant but it's suggested for all women in child bearing years, whether or not you intend to have a child. Folic acid will be essential in the first phases of pregnancy when nearly all women don't know that they are pregnant, for this reason, it is best to take it even before you get pregnant. Not enough Folic acid could cause birth defects.

Follow the link in this BIO box to watch a video on getting pregnant.

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Asking For a Raise is Your Career "Rite of Passage"

"Asking for a raise ... will help you break through to the next level of your career faster than any other single action."

When was the last time you asked for a raise? I don't know very many people who have actually asked for a raise. Many have talked about it but few have followed through. Is it fear? Mostly. Is it a sense of self-worth or lack thereof? Partly. Do they all deserve the raise? Usually. If you know you've earned one shouldn't you get it? Yes!

The thought of asking for a raise immediately conjures the fear of rejection, upsetting the boss, seeming ungrateful and even thoughts that you're not worth more. It is understandably terrifying for most people but forget those fears and negative thoughts. Asking for a raise (or promotion or more vacation time, etc) will help you break through to the next level of your career faster than any other single action. It's not about the money it's about establishing who you are in the eyes of your boss.

Asking for a raise will show your boss that:

1. You value yourself

2. You expect to grow and evolve

3. You want to be valued by the company

4. You are willing to go after what you want

A rite of passage results in a leap forward in maturity. Regardless of whether you get the raise, when you ask for one you are taking a leap to show who you are and what you think of yourself. The worst that's going to happen is your boss will say no and you'll be no better off financially. On the other hand you could get the raise AND your boss will now be forced to recognize your value to the company (because they probably don't want to lose you) and your sense of self-worth, which nobody can argue with. Assuming you work hard to prove your work ethic and performance before asking then you'll have everything to gain and little to lose.

In my next article I'll discuss how to ask for a raise.

Did you find this article helpful? If you did, then you can find more articles here:
http://www.EfficientCEO.com

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