Christmas Holiday Special

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” - Mother Teresa

This is a 5-part series that was originally posted on LinkedIn. I posted these during the Christmas holidays. You may be wondering who the gentlemen are in the pictures. They are renditions of soccer players from North Macedonia and Albania celebrating the holidays with their own traditions.

-Igor Ristevski

Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Enjoy this time for yourself.

You may celebrate Christmas or you may not.

You may have loved ones or you may not not.

Whatever your situation is, you can give yourself peace for these holidays.

And 2024 will be a great new year if you want it to be.

Boxing Day

Today is Boxing Day in Canada. For my international followers who may not be familiar with this holiday, let me give you a brief history.

Firstly, Boxing Day is on December 26th, the day after Christmas Day and it is a statutory holiday for all Canadians. The holiday has no connection to the sport of boxing. The name comes from a long time ago in the Commonwealth when wealthy people used to give "Christmas boxes," kind of like small gifts or money, to their helpers and workers right after Christmas as a thank you for working for them on Christmas Day. This is why other Commonwealth countries also celebrate Boxing Day.

In Canada, Boxing Day is a fun day. Since most people have the day off from work, they get a chance to relax and spend more time with their families. Lots of people go shopping because there are big sales in stores. Sadly Boxing Day sales are not as spectacular as they used to be due to the popularity of Black Friday sales, but you can still get some deals. Some people also use this day to give back by volunteering at shelters and soup kitchens.

So, in short, Boxing Day in Canada is a day for relaxing, shopping, and doing good things for others, right after the excitement of Christmas.

How will you spend your Boxing Day?

P.S. The image above features a Christmas box and a tribute to my Macedonian ancestry and my people's passion for football.

New Year's Day

Happy New Year, everyone!

2024 is going to be a powerful year.

Here are some things that I've learned in 2023 that I will be applying in 2024:

1. Family is the most important relationship you will have in your life because you will receive their support during the most difficult times. But family is not defined by blood.

2. Very few people are actually toxic. Practice compassion and learn to give others the benefit of the doubt.

3. Don't underestimate your creative potential. It can manifest itself in surprising ways.

4. Practice charity without expecting anything in return to increase your happiness.

5. When you feel haven't done enough work in a day, remind yourself of the progress you have already made so you won't lose momentum.

6. Sometimes we are unaware of the impact we have made in the lives of others. Listen more, especially to non-verbal cues to heighten your awareness.

7. Mental and physical health are important, but don't neglect the spiritual. That's how you can achieve true balance.

8. Appreciate the beauty around you and within yourself.

9. Seek advice when you need it and don't be afraid to ask for help. But have enough wisdom to know that others cannot solve your problems if you don't do the self-work.

10. Try to help 3 people each day. A close relation, a warm relation, and a total stranger. What you put out, you will get back.

Which one of these resonated with you?

Epiphany

Do you know what holiday it is today?

It's Epiphany Day.

Epiphany Day, falling on January 6th, marks a special moment in Christian tradition - the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. To Christians, it's seen as a key event where Jesus was revealed as both human and divine.

Let's see how this holiday is celebrated in Albania.

Albania is a Muslim-majority country but there is a large Catholic and Orthodox Christian population as well. All three faiths are able to live in relative harmony in Albania which is very rare for the Balkans.

While I am not Albanian myself, I have a deep respect for the country, its people, and history. Also, I have relatives and friends who are Albanian.

In Albania, Epiphany is celebrated in a variety of ways depending on local traditions. One tradition is the 'Great Blessing of the Waters.' This ceremony involves a cross being thrown into a body of water to symbolize Jesus' baptism. It's not just a symbolic act; it's also a moment of community gathering and shared spirituality. Participants often jump into the water to retrieve the cross, a gesture reflecting their connection to the event being commemorated.

If you plan to visit Europe in 2024, please consider Albania. Tirana is a beautiful city and there are many beaches in Albania.

Christmas (Again)

Today is Orthodox Christmas.

Orthodox Albanian Christians observe it on January 7th as do their fellow Orthodox brothers and sisters in the East and MENA region. Christianity, though a minority, plays a significant role in the religious culture of Albania. It's a testament to the country's rich cultural diversity and history of religious coexistence. The Orthodox Church in Albania, after enduring years of religious suppression during the communist regime, has seen a remarkable revival, contributing significantly to the nation's cultural and spiritual life.

One of the unique traditions of Orthodox Albanian Christmas is the preparation of 'Pita e Vitit të Ri' or the New Year's Pie. This isn't just a culinary delight but a symbolic gesture as well. A coin is hidden inside the pie, and it's believed that whoever finds the coin in their slice will be blessed with luck for the upcoming year. There is a similar tradition in North Macedonia. I remember finding the coin 🪙 as a child.

As professionals, understanding and appreciating such cultural diversities can enrich our global perspectives and foster a more inclusive environment in our workplaces. Orthodox Albanian Christmas serves as a wonderful example of how traditions can flourish in a multifaith community. Let's use this example of tolerance from our Albanian friends and celebrate each other's traditions in our workplaces even if we don't belong to that community. This is allyship.

The Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral in Tirana stands as the largest Orthodox church in Albania. This architectural marvel, completed in 2012, symbolizes the resurrection of the Albanian Orthodox Church after decades of religious suppression under the communist regime. Its grandeur and modern design reflect Albania's commitment to religious freedom.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone. May your 2024 be full of love and light. What are your plans for 2024? Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and send me a DM by clicking here.

-Igor Ristevski