Dear <<First Name>>,
Our last newsletter for 2022...how did that happen?! The novelist and columnist Anna Quindlen writes, "For the young the days go fast and the years go slow; for the old the days go slow and the years go fast." I know which category we're all leaning towards!
The last of the Christmas celebrations are behind us now. Mine included a mix of events, including Festivus for the first time in three years! We had a good turnout despite the huge snowfall earlier that day, and it was a pleasant time of sharing with each other the ups and downs of life, eating good food (did we all stick with the rule that you can eat anything at your Festivus meal as long as it never had feathers?), and simply being in each other's presence for an afternoon. Scroll down to see some of the photos, or click HERE to see them all.
The holiday season often brings with it heaviness, in many forms. As I write this a few days after Christmas, the first thing that pops into my mind is the eBus accident on December 24. Amidst all the tragedy, the horror, the sadness, the unfairness of it all, part of me just wants to be a kid again, when things like bus accidents and death and loss and grief were just brief phrases spoken on the radio. But there are dozens of families right now who can't forget, or ignore, or pretend it didn't happen. The heaviness can be overwhelming. There are also, in everyone's life to some extent, I'm sure, frustrating, painful, nerve-wracking circumstances that seem quite insurmountable at the moment. There are no easy answers or quick fixes for many of these; there's just this thing called "time." No, it doesn't heal all things. No, it doesn't erase a painful past. But it helps, slowly, eventually, at what might be slower than a snail's pace, make things more manageable.
The end of December especially makes me reflect on "time," the events of the past year, the changes that took place. There are certainly many sad occasions and arguments and sleepless nights in 2022 that I'd like to forget. On the flip side, the year also included a ton of joyful moments, some entertaining new experiences, a pile of text messages and emails that brought encouraging words or laughter or distraction at just the right moment, precious cuddles with the my nephews and my niece, distance ed courses that expanded my view of the world, road trips to places near and far, and many relaxing hours in the Room and Pillar salt cave.
How does 2023 look for you? Exciting? Scary? Hopeful? I like this quote by Sydney Smith: "In times of depression, take short views of human life -- not further than dinner or tea." The vague and often misused term "depression" doesn't sit quite right with me, but I do love the idea of taking life one small chunk at a time, not 365 days or even several days at a time! Of course, putting it into practice is a challenge, but it is doable! And for more of Smith's suggestions on dealing with "low spirits," as he calls them, click HERE. (The "rational religion" in #19 is vague enough that we can accommodate, maybe?)
Whatever you find yourself facing at the end of this year and heading into next year, best wishes to everyone for 2023!
Tania
think@askuskelowna.ca
KASHA - Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics & Humanists Association
Inquire with us at askuskelowna.ca
You can now become a member via our secure website payment system HERE
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Nerd Immunity - JOIN KASHA HERE
The state of immunity or process of becoming immune to misinformation, bullshit, fake news, crack pot theories & malicious manipulation by conducting thorough research, checking sources & applying critical thinking.
When the mind is vaccinated against bollocks, the mind's owner could be said to have nerd immunity.
Have you joined KASHA? It's a terrific way to build nerd immunity against unsubstantiated, baseless conspiracy theories.
During the Covid-19 pandemic some people spoke of building herd immunity, yet a lot of them were quickly infected by fake news and false information because they didn't build some nerd immunity first.
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A "Happy Belated Birthday" to KASHA member Guy King! He recently turned 90.
Besides reaching the ripe young age of 90, Guy during his youthful 70's to 80's could often be seen walking the streets of Kelowna wearing his 'Tax the Churches' shirt and recruiting members. He was our secular ' Mormon' of the streets, spreading good words and facts to all who would listen.
All of us at KASHA have always been inspired by Guy's t-shirt promotion of secularism and taxing the church; hence, the KASHA board has granted him lifetime KASHA membership.
Thanks Guy for all your work!
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Join us on Monday, January 23 (Part 1) and Monday, January 30 (Part 2) for our upcoming presentation on Advance Care Planning (also known as a Health Care Directive or Living Will).
Who will make medical decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself? Having an effective Health Care Directive helps ensure that your loved ones and medical staff will respect your personal values and choices.
This presentation by the Winnipeg chapter of DWDC will answer your questions and cover all the information you need to get started to write your Health Care Directive.
Topics addressed in the presentation include legal issues and patient rights, how to choose a substitute decision maker, how to make your wishes clear and understandable, types of ACP forms, what to do (and what NOT to do) with your ACP after it’s completed, issues around resuscitation, resources for those who want further information or guidance.
This 2-hour presentation has been split into two parts for Zoom. You must register for each part separately.
Click HERE to connect to the DWD webpage
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KASHA COVID Policy:
KASHA follows the COVID guidelines laid out by the BC health authorities and therefore will not require vaccination to attend events and activities after 7 April 2022. However, given that many KASHA members are at a higher risk than the general population, it is preferred that attendees be fully vaccinated against COVID 19.
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Please visit Janice Selbie's helpful sites:
- WEBSITE www.divorcing-religion.com For 1:1 religious recovery consulting and counselling, as well as the online Divorcing Religion Workshop
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Webinars & Town Halls on the KASHA website
Thanks to Darrel, we now have a page of interesting webinars and town hall meetings from BC Humanists, Center for Inquiry Canada, and Amnesty International that you can watch.
If you just can't watch another Netflix show or commercial TV, tune in here to see issues that are relevant to you. KASHA WEBINAR PAGE
You can also catch up on some of our previous newsletters HERE.
Thanks, Darrel, for all your work!
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We are officially an affliate local group member with BC Humanists. We receive support to help connect with humanists and atheists in our area. We become part of a larger network of non-religious people across the province by joining with other groups.