It’s easy (for me, at least) to get distracted with information/education/entertainment that swirls about 24/7. That being said, there are never-ending delights in secret tools and special apps that allow work to be done better, faster, and more creatively.
Having trained at the Celebrant Foundation USA and now midway through One Spirit, an inter-faith seminary in New York City, I am keen on recognizing every possible opportunity to celebrate and create ritual, honoring all religious and cultural perspectives. So, imagine my glee when I found an app HolidaysUS that downloads every conceivable holiday onto my IPhone and IPad. Guided by the user’s instructions, the app will dump US (national and state holidays), along with celebrations from around the globe. Thanks to this new app, I have a seemingly endless set of religious holidays (Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and beyond) at my fingertips.
I must confess that I don’t always make time to review the holiday listings that appear on my phone on a daily business, but it is a helpful—and fun—reminder of all that goes on around the world. Just today, I was reminded that it is “Australia Day,” the annual date honoring the arrival, in 1788, of the first British Ships in the Sydney Harbor. I understand that Australia Day celebrations, have the flavor of American Independence Day. Australians enjoy typical outdoor fun, given that it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere. And, based on Facebook posting of friends, I see that ex-pats around the world have special events to commemorate the holiday. Personally, I used the occasion to recollect on all of the terrific Australian couples I married last year!