The History and Celebration of St. Patrick’s Day

The History and Celebration of St. Patrick’s Day

Have you ever wondered who the real St. Patrick was?  Why do we celebrate with parades and big celebrations?  Each year millions of people around the world celebrate this patron saint of Ireland without any knowledge if his life or why he is so important to the Emerald Isle.

St. Patrick was not Irish.  He was born in Wales, a Roman territory at the time in 385 AD and was raised in a wealthy family.  His given name was Maewyn, though some say it was Succat, a Celtic word meaning “warlike”.  His father was a Roman official so Maewyn was also known as Patricus.  When he was 16 he was captured by a clan of Irish marauders and taken to Ireland as a slave.  Once in Ireland, he was sent to County Antrim to be a shepherd.  During this time, he worked outdoors away from people.  Lonely and afraid he turned to religion for solace becoming a devout Christian.

After six years as a slave, Patrick escaped and made his way back to his family.  He began studying in a monastery and there he heard the voice of God telling him to return to Ireland to convert the Pagans to Christianity.  This he did as Bishop to Ireland in 432.  His first church was in Saul in Northern Ireland. Patrick brought many monasteries to Ireland and was thought to have single-handedly responsible for bringing Christianity to Ireland.  Patrick explained that the shamrock with its stalk and three separate leaves represented the father, son and holy ghost, the three aspects of the Christian God.

March 17, 481 is considered to be the day St. Patrick died.  St. Patrick’s Day celebrations began in Ireland as a holy day.  The first parade was held in Boston in 1737 and in NYC in 1762 as a response to the prejudice against the Irish-Catholic people.  In an effort to promote cultural pride and acceptance, the Irish community banded together.

Today the Irish and the Irish-for-a-day around the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.  From wearing green, green beer, green bagels, and the traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner, St. Patrick’s Day has come far from the recognition of the patron saint of the Emerald Isle.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day and make safety a priority for your celebration.

Not a fan of the New Year Resolution? Try a New Year Intention

Not a fan of the New Year Resolution? Try a New Year Intention

Wellness Wednesday
 
Not a fan of the New Year Resolution? Try a New Year Intention
 
Happy New Year! Now that the festivities are over, the clean up begins. The decorations from the holidays are put away and now is the time for that fresh start. A clean slate. We can begin the year anyway we choose. New Year resolutions are popular, but are they for you?
 
The New Year resolution is often attached to that difficult to obtain goal or something that you know you will only stick with for a short period of time and then view as a failed attempt rather than a new beginning. Try something new this year. How about setting an intention for the new year that can grow and change with you as your needs change?
 
An intention is defined as a mental state that represents a commitment to carrying out an action or actions in the future. Intention involves mental activities such as planning and forethought.
 
The intention you choose is personal to you and can be viewed as a positive instead of the negative that is attached to the resolution. The act of setting this intention may take some quiet thought, meditation or even soul-searching. How you do this or what you choose is entirely up to you. Your in the driver’s seat on this one. There is no time limit to set one and the process of achieving it can take as long as you need.
 
Give it a try! Make this New Year the new beginning you always wanted.
 
The information shared in Wellness Wednesday is a format to offer suggestions and is not intended to replace the advice of a skilled professional.
 
by Denise Visco
 
For more information on Home, Auto, Business, Life or Flood Insurance visit www.chedwards.net
 
#WellnessWednesday #DeniseVisco #NewYearResolutions #NewYearIntentions #LongIslandInsurance #CHEdwardsInsurance #Farmingdale #ViscoFamilyInsurance #WadingRiver
Warm Holiday Wishes and Reflections

Warm Holiday Wishes and Reflections

Warm Holiday Wishes and Reflections

The holidays are just one week away and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our valued staff, customers and my family for the support that allows me to continue the legacy my father, Gerard Visco handed down to me.

Times are changing and the way we do business must change too.  By choice, our agency has undergone some changes this year in preparation for what will be an exciting, new model of our vision.  I have been at work to prepare for these changes and look forward to unveiling them shortly.

As you celebrate the holidays this year, please know that we appreciate the trust you put in us to protect the people and possessions you value the most. C.H. Edwards, Inc. will continue to improve on the quality of customer service that you have come to rely on and is the main focus of my planning.

From the C.H. Edwards, Inc. family to yours, we wish you Happy Holidays and our warmest wishes for a prosperous New Year!

For more information on C.H. Edwards, Inc. visit our website at www,chedwards.net

by Steven Visco

Having trouble staying happy this holiday season?  Try some happiness helpers.

Having trouble staying happy this holiday season? Try some happiness helpers.

Wellness Wednesday

Having some trouble staying happy this holiday season? Try some happiness helpers.

Are you having a tough time being truly happy this holiday season? You’re not alone. The holidays are often a difficult time for many. Try some of these research-based happiness helpers.

1. Set an intention to enjoy the holidays. When making a conscious decision to be open to happiness, you are more likely to be more aware of uplifting moments.

2. Take a break to regain focus. If you are feeling completely overwhelmed by your to-do list, stop and take a moment to do something you enjoy. Have a cup of tea, take a bath, go for a walk, try some yoga, talk to a friend or watch a movie. Leave the holiday mode for a bit and just relax.

3. Practice gratitude and generosity. Don’t take good fortune for granted. Reflect on your good blessings and let your loved ones know you appreciate them. Everyone feels the joy of a loving connection. Neuroscience research suggests that performing an act of generosity lights up the same pleasure centers in the brain as food. When an impulse to be generous arises, act on it and notice the feeling.

4. Lastly, play and have fun. The holidays give us a reason to let ourselves act and feel like we did when we were kids. Take time to be around kids. Take delight in their enthusiasm. Singing or dancing is a great way to get out of our head and open our hearts to really experience joy.

Happiness is contagious! If you are happy, family and friends around you are more likely to experience your happiness and be happy too.

This Wellness article offers suggestions and does not replace the advice of a trained professional. If you feel prolonged sadness or the inability to find happiness this holiday season, please contact a healthcare professional.

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season.

For more information on Home, Auto, Business or Life Insurance, contact C.H. Edwards, Inc. at www.chedwards.net.

by Denise Visco

#WellnessWednesday #SpiritRockMeditationCenter#NaturalAwakeningsMagazine #AwakeningJoy #generosity #gratitude#Happiness #LongIslandInsurance #CHEdwardsInsurance #Farmingdale#WadingRiver #DeniseVisco #StevenVisco

Why Washing Your Car In The Winter Is So Important

Why Washing Your Car In The Winter Is So Important

If you live in a snowy area like here in New York, chances are your car is looking pretty dirty these days.

Road salt, dirt, and snow can make your car unrecognizable.

Washing your car during the winter season may seem like a waste of time, but, it is worth it in the long run.

Road salt and moisture can cause rust on a car. Not only is rust hard to stop but it can truly do damage to your vehicle.

Taking care of your car now means that it will last longer and its overall value will remain high.

Be sure to give your vehicle a rough scrub and a waxing. Pay close attention to the areas behind the wheels, quarter panels and front grille. These are the main areas where salt and dirt are collected.

If you don’t want to do the work yourself, invest a few dollars at your local car wash. Chances are for the price you pay, your car will get an excellent wash and wax.

Winterizing your car doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. It just takes a little time.

How will you take care of your car this winter season?

Fire Place Safety

Fire Place Safety

The chilly months are here and there is no better way to warm up than next to your fire place.

It’s important to use extra precautions when burning wood in your fire place. Just a few simple safety tips will go a long way when it comes to protecting your home and family from a possible mishap.

Only burn dry, cured wood. Wood that has been split, stacked and dried for eight to twelve months is ideal.

Burn Firewood and only firewood! Other woods such as construction scraps, painted wood’s and treated woods release chemicals into your home. Not only does this compromise the air quality in your home but it can be deadly in some situations.

Have a chimney cap installed. This will prevent objects and critters from entering through and coming in your home.

Be sure to install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors near your fireplace as well as hallways and bedroom areas.

Do you have any fire place safety tips to share with us? Let us know!

Stay safe and warm this winter season.