Category Archives: National Days

Read | Listen | Reflect

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Today is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day set aside to honour the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

This day was established by the Canadian federal government in 2021, in response to Call to Action #80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). This Call recommended a statutory holiday for public commemoration.

People across the country will wear orange, participate in healing walks, attend ceremonies, and listen to the voices of Indigenous peoples. It is a day of truth-telling, but also one of commitment—to learn, to support, and to walk alongside Indigenous communities in the ongoing journey of reconciliation.

Today, take time to read, listen, and reflect.

Every voice matters. Every action counts. Every child matters.

This visual brings together symbols of the three Indigenous groups across Canada: the eagle for First Nations, the narwhal for Inuit, and the beaded flower for the Métis. At the centre is a circle which symbolizes unity and the spirit of reconciliation. The pathway running through it represents the journey of reconciliation. The stars symbolize the children who never returned home from residential schools. The orange colour represents truth-telling and healing.

Happy National Day of Encouragement!

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

The first proclamation for the Day of Encouragement was made by Mayor Belinda LaForce of Searcy, Arkansas on August 22, 2007. In September, Governor Mike Beebe of Arkansas signed a proclamation making September 12, 2007 the “State Day of Encouragement” for Arkansas. Later, President George W. Bush also signed a message making September 12 the official “National Day of Encouragement.”

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Here are ten of my favorite quotes about encouragement…

“When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” Alexander Graham Bell

“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” Harriet Beecher Stowe

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” William James

Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment. Stephen Covey

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Theodore Roosevelt

“If you dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse.” Walt Disney

“Everything will be okay in the end.
If it’s not okay, then it’s not the end.”
Ed Sheeran


All About Pi (π)

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Today is Pi Day, a celebration of one of the most fascinating mathematical constants: π (3.14159265358979…). Defined as the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, pi has intrigued mathematicians and scientists for thousands of years.

Pi Day is observed on March 14 (the 3rd month) since 3, 1, and 4 are the first three significant figures of π.

Ten Fascinating Facts About Pi:

1. The first recorded estimate of pi dates back to around 1650 BC, when the ancient Egyptians approximated it as 3.16. The Babylonians had a similar value, while the Greek mathematician Archimedes (c. 250 BC) was the first to accurately calculate pi using a geometric method.

2. Pi plays a crucial role in physics, astronomy, and mathematics. It is also essential in architecture and construction, influencing designs from bridges and arches to the Pyramids of Giza.

3. Welsh mathematician William Jones introduced the π symbol in 1706, though it wasn’t widely adopted until Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler popularized it in the 18th century.

4. Albert Einstein, one of history’s greatest physicists, was born on March 14, 1879—making Pi Day even more special!

5. Physicist Larry Shaw organized the first official Pi Day in 1988 at the San Francisco Exploratorium, where it has been celebrated ever since. The holiday has since gained worldwide popularity among math enthusiasts.

6. During World War II, the Allies used pi to encode secret messages between the U.S. and the U.K., replacing letters and numbers with digits from pi.

7. The world record for reciting pi’s decimal places belongs to Rajveer Meena of India, who recited 70,000 digits on March 21, 2015. Wearing a blindfold, he maintained perfect recall for 10 hours!

8. Givenchy sells a men’s cologne called “Pi,” marketing it as a fragrance for intelligent and visionary men.

9. In 2014, 589 students at a German elementary school formed the largest human pi symbol. In 2017, 520 teachers and students in Todi, Italy, created the longest human representation of pi’s digits, with the city’s mayor holding up the number three at the start.

10. Eating pie on Pi Day is a beloved tradition! Whether it’s pizza pie, pot pie, shepherd’s pie, or a classic dessert pie, the key is to keep it round—just like pi itself.



All About Cheesecakes

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Yesterday was National Cheesecake Day, a day set aside to indulge in the most decadent of desserts. While the original day was first celebrated in 1985, cheesecakes didn’t really take off until 2001. With the help of the Internet, cheesecakes became worldwide sensations!

Continue reading on the Soul Mate Authors blog.

Sharing Earth Day Humor

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

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Q: Why are Tree Huggers bad at playing cards?
A: They like to avoid the flush.

Q: What did Obi Wan Kenobi say to the tree?
A: May the Forest be with you.

Q: Why did the leaf go to the doctor?
A: It was feeling green!

Q: How many climate skeptics does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. It’s too early to say if the light bulb needs changing.

Q: How do oil companies deal with oil spills?
A: Slick lawyers.

Q: Why did the dog bury himself in the back yard on Earth Day?
A: Cause you can’t grow a tree without bark.

Q: How do trees get on the Internet?
A: They log in.

Happy Earth Day!

In Praise of Napping

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Today is National Napping Day, a day created by Camille and Dr. William Anthony in 1999 to spotlight the healthy benefits of catching up on quality sleep. Dr. Anthony noted: “We chose this particular Monday because Americans (and Canadians) are more ‘nap-ready’ than usual after losing an hour of sleep to daylight saving time.”

The benefits of napping are many, among them improvements in mental health and working memory (the ability to focus on one task while retaining others in memory) and reduction of coronary mortality. In a recent Greek study, researchers discovered that participants taking daily naps had a 37% less chance of contracting a fatal heart condition.

Continue reading on the Soul Mate Authors blog.

Beyond Spilled Milk

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Today is National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day, a day set aside to move beyond past disappointments and setbacks.

In its oldest form, the proverb was “No weeping for shed milk,” first coined by James Howell in 1659. While the proverb has evolved, it still retains its original intent: One cannot change what is done and crying over it serves no purpose.

Here are my Go-To quotations whenever I encounter setbacks:

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. Aristotle

When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in. Kristin Armstrong

Life is all about setbacks. A life lived without disappointment is a life lived in a cocoon. People have recovered from far worse setbacks. Tony Clark

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. Thomas Edison

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.
Martin Luther King

The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire, the size of your dream, and how you handle disappointment along the way. Robert Kiyosaki

What do you do when disappointment comes? When it weighs on you like a rock, you can either let it press you down until you become discouraged, even devastated, or you can use it as a stepping-stone to better things. Joyce Meyer

The beauty is that through disappointment you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality. Conan O’Brien

You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.
Beverly Sills

Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it. Eliza Tabor

Do you have a Go-To quotation? Please share in the comments.

Happy National Cut Your Energy Costs Day!

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Today is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day, a day set aside to re-examine our daily habits and improve the overall efficiency of our lives.

Here are ten easy-to-implement tips:

1. Use daylight as much as possible. Remember, it’s free, and it doesn’t pollute.

2. Turn off all lights, even if you leave a room for a few minutes.

3. Switch all light bulbs to CFLs—the curly-looking ones. While they are more expensive, they can last up to ten times longer than the traditional incandescent bulbs.

4. Turn the heat down one degree in the winter, and set the air conditioner one degree higher in the summer. You probably won’t notice and could easily go up/down an extra degree or two.

5. Use the refrigerator wisely. Decide what you want before you open the door, clean the coils periodically with a vacuum cleaner, don’t set the temperature any colder than necessary, and keep it full.

6. Eliminate vampire power. When televisions, computers, DVD players, microwave ovens, and appliances are turned off, they continue to suck the energy out of the wall and out of your wallet. Where possible, use smart power strips with on/off switches that can be turned off when you are away for an extended period.

7. Unplug the charger as soon as your digital device is charged. When plugged in, a charger continues to draw energy.

8. Turn the water off while brushing your teeth or shaving. On average, a faucet can use anywhere from one to three gallons (four to eight litres) per minute. If you take the dentist-recommended two minutes, twice a day, that could add up to 12 gallons a day—4,380 gallons a year. Note: Newer faucets tend to have lower flow rates than older ones.

9. Fix those leaks. In North America, the average household leaks nearly 10,000 gallons of water each year…a staggering amount of money literally pouring down the drain.

10. Wait until you have a full load of laundry before using the washing machine. Half loads use twice as much water. Consider setting the temperature to warm rather than hot. This cleans just as well and uses half the energy.

Any more tips to share?

Honoring St. Nicholas

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

St. Nicholas Day is celebrated worldwide on the anniversary of his death, December 6th. Raised as a devout Christian, the third-century saint dedicated his life to serving the sick and suffering.

Later, he became part of the inspiration for the modern-day Santa Claus.

Here are ten interesting facts about St. Nicholas:

1. Born in the village of Patar on the southeastern coast of modern-day Turkey, Nicholas was inspired by the philanthropy of his parents. During their short lifetimes, they were devoted to serving the sick. Nicholas decided to continue their legacy. He began delivering gifts anonymously to needy people.

2. According to legend, three falsely accused men were about to be beheaded when Bishop Nicholas took the sword from the executioner’s hand. He then ordered the men to be freed. Afterward, the city’s ruler came forward and confessed to the crime.

3. Another well-known story…He saved three impoverished sisters from being sold into prostitution by paying their marriage dowries with three bags of gold.

4. During the Middle Ages, a group of French nuns started the tradition of bringing anonymous gifts to needy families on December 5th (St. Nicholas Eve). When the families awoke the following day and inquired about their benefactor, they received the following answer: “It must have been St. Nicholas.”

5. In Germany and Austria, children left out a boot for St. Nicholas and received small toys, coins, or candy.

6. After the Reformation, St. Nicholas was largely forgotten in Protestant Europe. Still, his memory was kept alive in Holland as Sinterklaas. On his feast day, St. Nicholas arrives on horseback, dressed in a bishop’s red robe, accompanied by a companion. The two men distributed sweets and gifts to good children and lumps of coal to bad ones.

7. The Dutch brought the tradition of “Sinterklaas” to North America when they founded New Amsterdam on the tip of Manhattan in 1621. English-speaking settlers corrupted the name, which evolved into Santa Claus.

8. After he was buried in a tomb near Myra, water believed to have healing powers formed in his grave. It is called the Manna of St. Nicholas.

9. He is the patron saint of many causes, among them sailors, travelers, clergy, school children, and thieves.

10. St. Nicholas Day traditions can be easily incorporated into the contemporary holiday season. Why not slip a small gift or surprise into a friend’s shoe or boot. Some suggestions: wrapped chocolate, a tree ornament, a stress ball, or a new pair of socks.

Happy National Live Creative Day!

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Today is National Live Creative Day, a day set aside to dream, discover, and invent. Consider resurrecting an old hobby, participating in a favorite pastime, or exploring a new passion.

If you’re feeling stuck, here are ten quotes to spark your imagination:

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use the more you have.”
Maya Angelou

“What keeps life fascinating is the constant creativity of the soul.”
Deepak Chopra

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Albert Einstein

“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.” Erich Fromm

“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while.” Steve Jobs

“The creative adult is the child who survived.” Ursula Leguin

“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.” Jack London

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” Sophia Loren

“Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.” Pablo Picasso

“The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” Sylvia Plath