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Just For Fun – Happy Multicultural April Fool’s Day!

mindsvalley99 — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:49:40 +0000

Many of the world’s cultures have a traditional time of the year set aside just for fun and laughter, when tricks, comedy, pranks, and practical jokes prevail. That’s why April Fool’s Day has become a tradition.

Anthropologists call these holidays “renewal festivals,” because they purposely upend the established social order with hilarity, mayhem, and misrule.

This kind of intentional fun resonates for Baha’is all around the world, no matter what culture they come from. Abdu’l-Baha constantly encouraged happiness and laughter among the Baha’is, for example, saying that smiles and laughter are “a spiritual state:”

Laughter is caused by the slackening or relaxation of the nerves. It is an ideal condition and not physical. Laughter is the visible effect of an invisible cause. For example, happiness and misery are super-sensuous phenomena. One cannot hear them with the ears or touch them with his hands. Happiness is a spiritual state.

The Universal House of Justice, the democratically-elected global leadership body of the world’s Baha’is, has written that:

Humour, happiness, joy are characteristics of a true Baha’i life. Frivolity palls and eventually leads to boredom and emptiness, but true happiness and joy and humour that are parts of a balanced life that includes serious thought, compassion and humble servitude to God are characteristics that enrich life and add to its radiance.

So in the pursuit of some of that joy, let’s explore the multicultural origins of April Fool’s Day.

One of the oldest known renewal festival traditions came from ancient Persia. Modern-day Iranians and others still celebrate Sizdah Bedar on the 13^th day of the Persian Naw-Ruz or New Year, which (because of the lunar calendar) usually falls sometime around April 1^st. On that day, since 536 BC, Persians have celebrated the coming of spring by going outside for picnics and playing jokes and pranks on each other.

Sizdah Bedar may have emerged from the ancient Zoroastrian belief that laughter and joy symbolize the expelling or throwing away of all bad thoughts.

Similarly, the ancient Romans celebrated a festival on March 25^th called Hilaria, which they observed by wearing masks, holding masquerades, and promoting “general good cheer.”

The April Fool’s Day tradition in France and French-speaking Canada is called poisson d’avril, which means April’s fish. On April 1, pranksters try to secretly attach a paper fish to peoples’ backs. Italy and Belgium also celebrate April’s Fish, which historians believe emerged from the idea that a young, innocent fish was the easiest one to catch.

Poland celebrates prima aprilis (Latin for the first day of April) as their national day of jokes, when people concoct elaborate hoaxes and pranks – which can and do originate even from government and public institutions. For the Poles, not much that is serious happens on prima aprilis.

During March in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Hindus celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, with fun for children, general merrymaking, parades and public games. Holi celebrants mark the coming of spring with bonfires, throwing colored powder and perfume on each other, and generally ignoring, for a short period, any distinction of class and caste.

In late February the world’s Baha’is celebrate Ayyam-i-Ha, or Intercalary Days, the four or five days (in Leap years) before the last month of the year in the Baha’i calendar. The Baha’is rejoice during Intercalary Days, and their celebrations include parties, feasting, hospitality, the giving of gifts, and charity for the poor.

In the West, April Fool’s Day – sometimes called “All Fools Day” – probably evolved from many cultures at around the same time, all centered on vernal equinox celebrations and the giddy joy and excitement of the coming of spring.

The April Fool’s tradition probably began sometime around 1582 in the West, when France adopted Pope Gregory XIII’s Gregorian calendar and shifted their New Year’s celebration from the first days of spring to January 1^st. Without mass communication the new calendar didn’t reach everyone quickly, and even when it did many people refused to throw out the Julian calendar. Eventually those people were called fools, and were subject to ridicule, practical jokes, and “fool’s errands.” As time passed, the harassment turned into more gentle pranks, tricks, hoaxes, and practical jokes.

By the way, your shoe is untied. No, seriously.

One fun April Fool’s Day site – www.museumofhoaxes.com – reports that some of the best-known April Fool’s jokes have been mass media-perpetrated:

On 1 April 1957, the respected BBC news show Panorama announced that thanks to a very mild winter and the virtual elimination of the dreaded spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop. It accompanied this announcement with footage of Swiss peasants pulling strands of spaghetti down from trees. Huge numbers of viewers were taken in. Many called the BBC wanting to know how they could grow their own spaghetti tree. To this the BBC diplomatically replied, “place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best.”

The April 1998 issue of the New Mexicans for Science and Reason newsletter contained an article claiming that the Alabama state legislature had voted to change the value of the mathematical constant pi from 3.14159 to the ’Biblical value’ of 3.0. Soon the article made its way onto the internet, and then it rapidly spread around the world, forwarded by email. It only became apparent how far the article had spread when the Alabama legislature began receiving hundreds of calls from people protesting the legislation. The original article, which was intended as a parody of legislative attempts to circumscribe the teaching of evolution, was written by physicist Mark Boslough.

During an interview on BBC Radio 2, on the morning of April 1, 1976, the respected British astronomer Patrick Moore announced that an extraordinary astronomical event was about to occur. At exactly 9:47 am, the planet Pluto would pass directly behind Jupiter, in relation to the Earth. This rare alignment would mean that the combined gravitational force of the two planets would exert a stronger tidal pull, temporarily counteracting the Earth’s own gravity and making people weigh less. Moore called this the Jovian-Plutonian Gravitational Effect.
Moore told listeners that they could experience the phenomenon by jumping in the air at the precise moment the alignment occurred. If they did so, he promised, they would experience a strange floating sensation. At 9:47, Moore declared, “Jump now!” A minute passed, and then the BBC switchboard lit up with dozens of people calling in to report that the experiment had worked! A Dutch woman from Utrecht said that she and her husband had floated around the room together. Another caller claimed she had been seated around a table with eleven friends and that all of them, including the table, had begun to ascend. But not everyone was happy. One angry caller complained he had risen from the ground so rapidly that he hit his head on the ceiling, and he wanted compensation.

So today, on April Fool’s Day, go ahead, play a (gentle) joke on those around you, and create some joy.

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Horoscope Today: April 23, 2023 | Vogue India

mindsvalley99 — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 08:06:29 +0000

Apr 23, 2023 | 06:00:41 IST

See what the stars have in store for your sign

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Hand over the reins to the divine forces and see where it takes you, Pisces. Take a break if you feel the need to, hibernate to fully harness your energy today. Move your body and have some fun, my dear Scorpio. Go dancing, zumbaing, golfing, running or just let your hair lose in whatever way you like. Believe in yourself and get out of your own way, dear Taurus. The best way to handle things like a boss, is to allow yourself to feel all your emotions – sadness, anger, frustration, happiness, love, peace – the whole spectrum, without labelling any of it as good or bad. Explore what’s holding you back, love. You are free to go in whatever direction you choose, Aquarius, the question is what will you choose? Use gratitude as your magic wand to create what you so deeply desire, dear Capricorn. You have worked long and hard to get here, so savour every moment of this dream-time today.

Aries Horoscope Today: April 23, 2023

So, the good news is that you have truck loads of support in your life whether you notice it or not. If you have been asking for a sign Aries, Stay open to receiving whatever comes your way, hun. Perhaps, the signals all point in a direction you may not be completely at ease with, but nonetheless, it still is a sign from the Universe. Love yourself enough to only accept what is worthy of you – so if you have been settling for less, know that you deserve better and if you have been running away from something , trust that it won’t bite you. Ask the cosmos for help in lifting the mental fog, and wait it out. Ask for and accept what you want clearly without judgement.

Cosmic Wisdom: Take a deep breath and on the exhale ask the Universe to carry all your luggage for you, sweetie.

Taurus Horoscope Today: April 23, 2023

Believe in yourself and get out of your own way, dear Taurus. The best way to handle things like a boss, is to allow yourself to feel all your emotions – sadness, anger, frustration, happiness, love, peace – the whole spectrum, without labelling any of it as good or bad. It may be a good day to just see where your mind takes you and then choose to do something about it. You are not the only one that makes mistakes, so just take a chill pill today, will you? When life throws you too many plot twists, it may be best to wait it out and allow everything to unfold at its own time, even if it feels like a snail’s pace. It’s okay to jump back to the basics today.

Cosmic Wisdom: Get to know yourself once again, you magical being, you are not who you were yesterday. Cut yourself some slack, instead, try using a cheesy pick up line to break the ice with yourself again.

Gemini Horoscope Today: April 23, 2023

Whatever you do today, adding a softening dash of love may bring in some sparkle to your touch. So, if it is your exercise routine, skip the gym and try some yoga; if it is your diet, skip the supplements, try something natural; if it is your relationships, skip the perfection, try acceptance – you get the drift, Gemini? Detox in whatever way you can today, but gently. It feels like a day full of laughter with loved ones, if you allow it to be so. Make space and time for loved ones in your life, and if you are unable to, it may be a good day to ask yourself why?

Cosmic Wisdom: Busy and productive are often confused to be the same, darling. The tiny difference is that being productive keeps you sane, while being busy wrecks havoc. It may be a good day to prioritise your mental well being today, hun.

Cancer Horoscope Today: April 23, 2023

Have some fun today, Cancer. Ditch your phone and commitments, and just stay where you are a little longer? Life’s mad rush can make us feel like we are running out of time on the things that can wait – work, laundry, cleaning up. Today, try bringing your focus back to what really can’t wait perhaps – that new bloom on your plant, focussed time with your loved ones, or perhaps even some treasured time to yourself? You have so much going for you, and lately, things may have been such a blur that you may have not got the chance to catch a breather. Make today that day where you choose to do absolutely nothing. Before you go to bed, you will realise it has been the most productive day you’ve had in a while.

Cosmic Wisdom: Say a big thank you to yourself and your loved ones by sharing something that is truly priceless – your time, luv. And oh, if this seems impossible, ask your angels and guides to come to the rescue and allow some fairy dust to be blown your way, beautiful.

Leo Horoscope Today: April 23, 2023

Your magic works differently, Leo, and you know it. Today, try checking in with yourself to ask what weight are you carrying on your shoulders and why? You are living a good life, surrounded by love in different ways, so, try reaching out to an old friend and catch up for coffee perhaps? Get out of the slump, you braveheart. And remember that you can take it easy AND put yourself out there all at once. You have so much to share, now stop holding back and fall in love with life all over again, will you?

Cosmic Wisdom:. Make a wish from the bottom of your heart, the Universe may just be in the mood to grant you one today, lovely.

Virgo Horoscope Today: April 23, 2023

Love yourself enough to make wellness a part of your life, Virgo, please? Now, who’s talking about 6 pack abs? Focus on feeling flexible and healthy from within, hun? If you have been dealing with some mental or other health challenges, getting out in the sun for a simple walk may bring you truckloads of happiness and gut health. Perhaps reliving a story on loop in your head may be bringing you down, so today, literally, shake it off. Remember to go easy, and have full faith in yourself. You are free the minute you choose freedom, my love. So wake up and get a hold on yourself. You can do it.

Cosmic Wisdom: You are a powerhouse, so just flip that switch on already and allow life to take over slowly and steadily. Love can enter only if you leave that door open.

Libra Horoscope Today: April 23, 2023

For those struggling with health challenges (physical, mental, relationship and the like), good news is round the corner,s o a Big “Yay” on that Libra! For a few days in a row the cosmic forces have been letting you know that your plate has been FULL. So allow yourself some downtime and give yourself some time to soak it all in. Instead of going down the worry spiral or feeling stuck, try getting some more info on what can be done and how? All your prayers have been heard and responded to really well by the universe, now just sit back and relax. You have busy times ahead of you, so make sure your schedule is well balanced and clean as a salad, with only things that are absolutely necessary filling in. You are protected by leaps and bounds, my love. So, hold on and stay golden.

Cosmic Wisdom: You already know what to do, now go on and do it, you are 100% safe. The Universe has got your back, hun. Specific message for some : Ask and it will appear before your eyes.

Scorpio Horoscope Today: April 23, 2023

Move your body and have some fun, my dear Scorpio. Go dancing, zumba-ing, golf-ing, running or just let your hair lose in whatever way you like. Life hasn’t felt easy, no? But here’s the thing, Maybe you’ve fallen out of love with it? You are driven by passion, Scorpio, and when you do things like a task, it shows and guess what, it amplifies. So, consciously, bring back some fun in your life today – even if it means scheduling fun times during the week ahead. Your life is waiting to fall in love with you, but the trick is that you need to fall for it first.

Cosmic Wisdom: Nothing will go past you if you stop to have some fun, sweetie. Trust and dive in, head first. Allow your heart to stay wide open.

Sagittarius Horoscope Today: April 23, 2023

Today try looking past where you are, Sag, and think of what you want to create in the future. You are not late and won’t be, so don’t worry. Make time to write about your dreams and goals, trust that niggle in your gut to let you know what is truly meant for you. Decide to move forward in a balanced manner, almost like life is a well choreographed dance and you are the curator. Remember to add a dash of self-care in the mix of your perfectly balanced act as your secret ingredient to avoid feeling lost, confused or stuck in the future.

Cosmic Wisdom: Shuffle your feet, feel the new rhythm of life and move along in style.

Capricorn Horoscope Today: April 23, 2023

Use gratitude like your magic wand to create what you so deeply desire, dear Capricorn. You have worked long and hard to get here, so savour every moment of this dream-time today. If you have the luxury of time, you are more blessed than most others, so see it as it is. Recenter yourself today, with love in your heart and allow it to seep into everything you touch, everyone you meet and everything you think of today. Take this time off, get off the racetrack because firstly, it’s not a race at all, and secondly, you are safe and golden. You may have a busy week coming up ahead of you, so make the most of this slow-paced day.

Cosmic Wisdom: Strength, beauty, independence and a piercing perception are your USPs. Use them as such – add a dash of beauty to whatever you think and do and go forward with strength and faith. Trust your intuition to be your guide, honey.

Aquarius Horoscope Today: April 23, 2023

Explore what’s holding you back, love. You are free to go in whatever direction you choose, Aquarius, the question is what will you choose? Sometimes, we fear making changes, because, well, that’s how things have been for a while. But remember, what comes so easy for you now hasn’t really come easy – it has years of hard work, persistence, grit, sweat and blood that has gone in the mix. Stop playing it small in your dreams and ask yourself why you can’t have what someone else does. Here’s a reality check for you, my dear lovelies, No one will value you until You value You. So, go on, polish that diamond ring a bit and bring that bling on.

Cosmic Wisdom: Enough with the jam-packed one way streets, get on the highway now and blare that horn while you are at it.

Pisces Horoscope Today: April 23, 2023

Hand over the reins to the divine forces and see where it takes you, Pisces. Take a break if you feel the need to, hibernate to fully harness your energy today. And then, once your wings are sparkly again, blow some magic dust in the direction of your desires. Accept that apology, already, it may be the very thing that isn’t allowing you to see clearly. Each day brings something new our way, so keep your eyes and heart open and pick on the subtle nuances that come your way. If you have asked for a sign, this is it. Green lights ahead.

Cosmic Wisdom: If you need to ask yourself, is this a sign, remember it is one, sweetie.

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Tribune Throwback: April 1984

mindsvalley99 — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 13:37:12 +0000

News // Tribune ThrowbackConnor Veenstra, Staff writer

April 21, 2023Updated: April 21, 2023 1:17 p.m.

Since 1876, the Huron Daily Tribune and the Huron County News have been key historians in the area by documenting the happenings in Huron County, the Upper Thumb, and beyond.

The Tribune is delving into its extensive archives to share with its readers a glimpse of the past to reminisce and be mindful of history as they decide the future.

Since 1876, the Huron Daily Tribune and the Huron County News have been key historians in the area by documenting the happenings in Huron County, the Upper Thumb and beyond. The Tribune is delving into its extensive archives to share with its readers a glimpse of the past to reminisce, and be mindful of history as they decide the future. In this gallery, you will find photos, stories, and advertisements from the Huron Daily Tribune in April 1984.

Tribune File Photo

In this gallery, you will find photos, stories, and advertisements from the Huron Daily Tribune in April of 1975.

Tribune File Photo

Connor Veenstra is a staff reporter for the Huron Daily Tribune.

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