The <a href="https://productive.fish/blog/wheel-of-life/">Wheel of Life</a> is a useful tool for tracking your progress over time. By revisiting the tool periodically and adjusting your ratings, you can see how your life has changed and where you have made progress.

Life Balance Wheel

To use the <a href="https://productive.fish/blog/wheel-of-life/">life balance wheel</a>, you can start by rating each area on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. This will give you a sense of where you may be struggling or where you are excelling. You can then use this information to identify areas that you want to work on or improve.

How to Use the Wheel of Life

<ol><li>Business and Career</li><li>Finances</li><li>Family and Friends</li><li>Health</li><li>Romance</li><li>Fun and Recreation</li><li>Personal Growth</li><li>Physical Environment</li></ol>The life balance wheel is divided into 10 slots (from one to ten) and ranks each region by placing a dot on the appropriate number for each category.

Wheel of Life Categories

Take the time to think on your life in general so that you can understand how the many aspects of your life interact and effect the overall quality of your life. You may utilize this to find balance and focus on achieving your goals.

The Wheel of Life is a tool to help you identify and clarify your personal values and find a balance between work and the rest of life.

productivity

Productivity

career

Career

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

habits

Habits

travel

Travel

What Is The Wheel of Life and How to Use It

<ul><li>You’re getting away from old routines that keep you in a loop</li><li>You’re moving away from unhealthy relationships (hopefully)</li><li>You’re setting life in motion to experience new positive events</li><li>You will activate new parts of your brain because a new place, new people, and new things to learn will come about</li><li>You open up for unexpected good things, because you set the flow of life in motion instead of being stuck in the same habits</li><li>Your money can become worth a lot more than it is now</li><li>You can connect with like-minded people and finally focus on your true values in life and start a new career.</li></ul>

Moving to another country to start over

If your everyday life and career are at a standstill, you’re in a slow-paced routine carousel doing the same thing day after day, you’re on repeat and it can make you unhappy and unhealthy. Consider this reality when it comes to your current job, your education, where you live, and your relationships. These are common areas to be stuck.

Staying still and being stuck in the old is bad energy

Consider these values and benefits to figure out if it’s worth it for you<ul><li>The energy of the place and the people could match your lifestyle better</li><li>You can afford a much better lifestyle and do more of what you love</li><li>You set things in motion and become unstuck</li><li>You create a change to start over in life and figure things out.</li></ul>In the times we are living in now, It can be a good option to move to a country for the following three main reasons:<ul><li>Live more minimalist and have fewer things</li><li>Use it to reset your life, find your purpose, and focus on your goals</li><li>Live somewhere your money is worth a lot more.</li></ul>

Start over: Is moving to another country worth it?

It's never too late to start over and build the life you want

problemsolving

Problem Solving

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

How To Start Over: Reboot Your Life

Consider these ideas if you want to move abroad to start over your life.

Your life may be changing. Maybe even feel out of control. Or you desperately need change. This is all part of the shift of times we are in. Consider these 7 benefits of moving to another country to start over and simplify your life. I just did and got rid of 80% of my belongings.

Benefits of Moving to Another Country to Start Over

Tea started as a medicine and ended up being a drink.In China in VIII, tea emerged as one of the most educated entertainments.Teaism originated in Japan and is the cult for the adoration of beauty in cotidianity, inculcating purity and harmony. It is a cult to the imperfect, it's an aim of achieving an impossible along the vast inmensity of impossibles thorughout life.Philosophy surrounding tea is not just aesthetic, it also expresses oriental values on:<ul><li>Ethic and Religion</li><li>Point of view of human being and nature</li><li>Hygiene</li><li>Economy</li><li>Moral geometry</li><li>Spirit of democracy</li></ul>

The cup of humanity

Teaism originated in Japan and is the cult for the adoration of beauty in cotidianity, inculcating purity and harmony.It is a cult to the imperfect, it's an aim of achieving an impossible along the vast inmensity of impossibles thorughout life.

Teaism

Discover the idea of Teaism, captured in the classical work The Book of Tea.

Written in English by a Japanese scholar in 1906, ""The Book of Tea"" is an elegant attempt to explain the philosophy of the Japanese Tea Ceremony, with its Taoist and Zen Buddhist roots, to a Western audience in clear and simple terms. One of the most widely-read English works about Japan, it had a profound influence on western undertsanding of East Asian tradition.

philosophy

Philosophy

books

Books

Kakuzo Okakura

The Book of Tea

1. Men have always felt pleased with themselves if they could arouse laughter from an audience2. For every one bad person who could potentially hurt or rob you, there would be 200 good people too.3. It is important to be able to be happy around yourself, when there is nobody around, can you be happy?

Ideas that resonated with me (part 1)

If you want to know a person travel with them. If you want to know them in and out, climb a mountain with them. Go up a mountain with them for seven days. See how they speak of the skies and the earth. See if they help those who are not as strong or fit as them. See their eyes when you see something beautiful. By the time you come down, you might love each other a lot more or might never want to know each other again. The mountains teach you a lot.

Ideas that resonated with me (Part 2)

"Why climb Everest?" A reporter asked George Mallory's reply is considered the greatest mountaineering quote ever."Because it is there!"

Ideas that resonated with me (part 3)

For more interesting ideas and inspirational thoughts, I recommend you read this book yourself.

Grab It And read It!

What you read below is my brainchild -One who stays longer in the race wins. At times, the decision to change tracks does not mean you are out of the race, it simply signifies you decided a better move on a more meaningful path. The passion to explore continues.

Final Thought That The Book Triggered In Me -

"This Guy's on his own trip", is a must-read book. I came across some cool language and ideas which resonated with me big time. Sharing those below. Also, towards the end I have shared a thought it triggered in me.

The fear of the unknown bothers most of us, even if it comes at the cost of chasing our dreams. How many of us want to drop everything that we are doing and travel the world? How many of us do? Neeraj Narayanan just did that, quitting his job one day and flying to Barcelona. Join him on his journey as he takes you rollicking across some countries in Europe and South East Asia, motoring up high mountain passes, hiding in jungles and being part of crazy festivals, hoping to find pretty girls in pursuit but only ending up with furious bulls, bears, and gypsies on his tail. At some point, he has almost no money left but his resolve to build a life out of travel doesn’t ebb. This is a witty yet heart-warming tale of one man’s solo journey for a year. While he goes to find beautiful places, he ends up finding trust, compassion, and a universe conspiring to make all his dreams come true. This guy’s really on his own trip and promises to take you on one too!

The fear of the unknown bothers most of us, even if it comes at the cost of chasing our dreams. How many of us want to drop everything that we are doing and travel the world? How many of us do? Neeraj Narayanan just did that, quitting his job one day and flying to Barcelona. Join him on his journey as he takes you rollicking across some countries in Europe and South East Asia, motoring up high mountain passes, hiding in jungles and being part of crazy festivals, hoping to find pretty girls in pursuit but only ending up with furious bulls, bears, and gypsies on his tail. At some point, he has almost no money left but his resolve to build a life out of travel doesn’t ebb. This is a witty yet heart-warming tale of one man’s solo journey for a year. While he goes to find beautiful places, he ends up finding trust, compassion, and a universe conspiring to make all his dreams come true. This guy’s really on his own trip and promises to take you on one too!

Neeraj Narayanan

THIS GUY’S ON HIS OWN TRIP

This country home in England may be gorgeous, but it also has a dark past. The mysterious "Brown Lady," rumored to be Lady Dorothy Walpole, was reported to be one of Raynham Hall's apparitions captured on film in the December 1936 edition of Country Life. Guests can visit the home on Open Days throughout the year.

Raynham Hall, Norfolk, England

A short trip from Venice, the beautiful island of Poveglia was once a quarantine zone for people suffering from the plague. In addition, the island was used as a psychiatric hospital in the early 20th century. Ghost hunters claim this spot is now a hotbed of paranormal activity.

Poveglia, Venice, Italy

Two hundred miles from Delhi, this abandoned fortress sticks out in the middle of the wilderness. Legend has it that a sorcerer cast a curse on the area after being rejected by a local princess. Guests can still visit the fort's impressive ruins today.

Bhangarh Fort, India

This 12th-century inn is one of the oldest in the Western world. It is believed to have once been a pagan burial ground and is now haunted by more than 20 spirits, including ghost children and a monk. Fearless travelers can book a ghost hunt at the inn in hopes of experiencing the spirits themselves.

Ancient Ram Inn, Wotton-under-Edge, England

There are many spooky tours around Port Arthur to satisfy worldly ghost hunters. The Tasmanian town is filled with reports of paranormal activity, which makes sense, given its creepy past.The spot originally served as a penal colony in the 19th century, where prisoners were forced to endure solitary confinement and mandatory church services to correct bad behavior.

Port Arthur, Australia

This beautiful ocean liner spent 30 years at sea before permanently docking in Long Beach and becoming a tourist attraction. During her tenure, the ship logged more than 50 deaths, which makes her reputation as a haunted vessel even more believable.

The Queen Mary, Long Beach, California

This 800-year-old castle in the municipality of Wolfsegg, Germany, is apparently haunted by a woman who scares off any visitors who pass. She is rumored to be the ghost of Klara von Helfenstein, who was reportedly murdered by her jealous husband. The castle is open for visitors on weekends and holidays from May through early October.

Burg Wolfsegg, Germany

This allegedly haunted bed-and-breakfast is the sight of a gruesome and highly publicized murder. Although she was eventually acquitted, Lizzie Borden was suspected of killing her father and stepmother with a hatchet in the unassuming home in 1892. Since then, guests have reported all kinds of strange sightings in the house. Ghost tours and overnight stays are available for intrepid travelers who want to experience the notorious residence for themselves.

Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, Massachusetts

This famous Rocky Mountain destination is known as one of the inspirations for Stephen King's "The Shining," but it also has its own spooky past. Allegedly, staff members have encountered ghosts like the maid from Room 217, who is known to pack away guests' clothing when they aren't looking. The hotel now offers four different styles of accommodations, and it's a great home base if you want to explore Rocky Mountain National Park.

The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado

Ever since it was completed in 1888, this hotel has been associated with paranormal activity. One of the most famous legends is of the "Ghost Bride," a woman who reportedly awaits people in the hotel ballroom. The postcard-perfect hotel continues to welcome guests to the heart of Banff National Park.

Fairmont Banff Springs, Canada

This lighthouse became infamous during the Civil War when the light was removed to disrupt Union shipping — just part of the structure's long, and sometimes tragic, history. However, visitors have reported seeing the ghost of a lighthouse keeper there who is always quite friendly. During your next trip to St. Augustine, you can visit the site during the day or take a ghost tour at night.

St. Augustine Lighthouse, St. Augustine, Florida

This spot in northwestern Romania is considered the most haunted forest in the world. Visitors often report intense feelings of anxiety and the sense of being watched while traveling amongst the trees. Some of the most common sightings include ghosts, unexplained apparitions, faces appearing in photographs that were not visible to the naked eye, and even some UFOs.

Hoia Baciu Forest, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

This towering building is famously known as the place where Charlotte de Brézé was murdered. According to legend, Charlotte, the illegitimate daughter of King Charles VII, was killed by her husband after discovering she was having an affair. Visitors claim to have seen a "Green Lady," named for the color of her dress, roaming the halls. You can visit the stately castle to try to spot her yourself, but honestly, the stunning architecture alone is worth the trip.

Château de Brissac, Brissac-Quincé, France

Many historic people have claimed the Tower of London as their final resting place. The infamous fortress has been steeped in tragedy for over 900 years, and it's home to many ghostly sightings of English royalty, including Anne Boleyn and Arbella Stuart, cousin to Elizabeth I. This tower is a must for anyone visiting London, but ghost hunters will also want to look out for any apparitions during their visit.

Tower of London, England

Borgvattnet is a small village in northern Sweden, known for having one of the most haunted houses in the country — the old vicarage. Inhabitants of the home have reported multiple sightings, including a lady in gray as well as unexplained sounds and moving objects. The house now serves as an inn and restaurant.

The Old Vicarage, Borgvattnet, Sweden

After the death of her husband, rifle magnate William Wirt Winchester, Sarah Winchester commissioned this dizzying labyrinth of a house in order to stay safe from vengeful spirits killed by her husband's guns. The home has seven stories, 160 rooms, 10,000 panes of glass, and 47 stairways — some of which go nowhere at all. There are several house tours available, including a spooky Walk With Spirits tour.

Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California

Many big-name celebrities have stayed at this old hotel since 1886, but few are as famous as the ghosts haunting the hallways. One of the most notorious tales surrounding the property includes two honeymooning women who took their own lives in the same room 20 years apart. The downtown Austin hotel still welcomes guests today.

The Driskill, Austin, Texas

The Paris Catacombs are truly spooky, with the remains of more than six million people located in the underground tunnels. You can tour some of the tunnels today, but be warned, as they're not for the faint of heart.

The Catacombs of Paris, France

Many people would not assume the Forbidden City, located in the center of modern Beijing, is haunted, but ghost hunters who are interested in local lore know better. One apparition that was first reported in the 1940s is of a woman in white who can be heard sobbing in the halls of the palace. The impressive Forbidden City is a must-visit for travelers in Beijing, whether or not you believe in ghosts.

Forbidden City, Beijing, China

This beautiful home was completed in 1892 by William and Anne Kehoe, who lived in the house with their ten children. Since the home was turned into a bed-and-breakfast, guests have noted mysterious sounds of children playing. Ghost-chasing guests visiting Savannah — a notoriously haunted city — might want to make this hotel their home base.

Kehoe House, Savannah, Georgia

health

Health

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

The Halloween Collection

Consider this your ultimate spooky travel guide.

Across the globe, ghost sightings and UFO experiences draw paranormal seekers to the spookiest destinations. Here are the 30 most haunted places in the world.

The Most Haunted Places in the World

<ul><li>One of the most interesting Halloween traditions around the world is practiced in Ireland. In fact, Halloween originated from Samhain or “All Hallowtide”, a pagan Irish festival that marks the end of summer. </li><li>A long-held Halloween custom is the baking and eating of Barmbrack, a dense cake loaded with currants, raisins, and candied citrus. </li><li>It is tradition for bakers at Halloween to mix a ring, small rag, and a coin into a Barmbrack. Whoever gets the ring will marry or find happiness, whoever gets the rag will join the clergy or have an uncertain financial future, and whoever receives the coin wi<warningtag>ll have a prosperous year.</warningtag></li></ul>

Samhain: Ireland

<ul><li>The Hungry Ghost Festival is not strictly a Halloween custom. Rather, it is an old Daoist tradition that guides the spirits that walk the earth. </li><li>On the 15th day of the 7th lunar month (Ghost Month), at dusk, people lay out incense, food, and water in front of photos of deceased family members. The spirits might then bestow blessings or punishments upon their living relatives. </li><li>Many see this tradition as a way of appeasing the hungry ghosts who have been errant since the beginning of Ghost Month. Later that same night, a feast is typically held where families leave an open setting at the table f<warningtag>or a departed ancestor.</warningtag></li></ul>

Teng Chieh: China

<ul><li>The Day of the Dead is a culturally rich tradition akin to Halloween that takes place on November 1 and 2.</li><li> The Day of the Dead is all about celebrating life, joy, and color. Its essence is to demonstrate love and respect for the spirits of departed family members.</li><li>The celebrations include activities like dressing in bright makeup and dazzling costumes, throwing parades, singing, and dancing. </li><li>What marks this holiday as especially unique is the custom of making offerings to loved ones. Families build temporary altars as a tribute to deceased ancestors. The altars are laid with c<warningtag>onfections like sugar skulls and bottles of tequila, as well as marigolds and photographs of the lost. </warningtag></li></ul>

Día de Los Muertos: Mexico

<ul><li>Halloween customs are rooted in ancient traditions like La Festa di Ognissanti, or Hallowmas, in Italy.</li><li> November 1 is All Saints Day, the first day of Hallowmas, which celebrates the Catholic saints. </li><li>On this holiday, Italians will spend time with their families and even exchange gifts.</li><li>November 2 is All Souls Day, a commemoration of deceased loved ones. Families will leave chrysanthemums on loved ones’ graves, attend a requiem mass for the dead, and eat lots of food. </li><li>It is believed that spirits share in the celebrations. Hence, cookies called Fave dei morti, or beans of the dead, are offered to<warningtag> the deceased. </warningtag></li></ul>

La Festa di Ognissanti: Italy

<ul><li>The Festival of the Dead has all the verve of Halloween tradition, but with a completely different cultural backdrop. </li><li>On November 1 and 2, Haitian practitioners of Voodoo, Vodouisants, pay their respects to Baron Samedi, father of the deceased spirits. </li><li>Vodouisants dance in the streets to commune with their dead and walk through graveyards where they ‘feed’ their ancestors with food from their own tables.</li><li> Fet Gede is occasionally described as the Voodoo equivalent of Mardi Gras, Día de Los Muertos, and Halloween because of its explosive celebratory atmosphere, vibrant cultural traditions, and c<warningtag>ommemoration of deceased family.</warningtag></li></ul>

Fet Gede: Haiti

In France, Halloween is often outshone by La Toussaint, All Saints Day, on November 1. The tradition in France is marked by the laying of Chrysanthemums at the graves of relatives.The French reserve little fanfare for Halloween as it is seen as an imported American tradition. All Saints Day, however, is a national public holiday following Halloween. On this day, the French visit special church services and cemeteries to lay flowers on deceased relatives’ graves.

La Toussaint: France

<ul><li>Hong Kong has gradually begun to embrace Halloween, despite its colonialist origins. For the whole American Halloween experience, Halloween Time in Hong Kong Disneyland is the place to go. </li><li>The event includes an interactive performance by Disney Villains, who sing original songs crafted for the performance. </li><li>For Halloween with local flavor, visit Hong Kong’s largest theme park, Ocean Park Hong Kong. This oceanarium and zoological attraction hold Asia’s biggest Halloween celebrations. The night’s roster of events includes haunted houses, street shows with gory costumes, etc.</li></ul>

Hallowmas Eve: Hong Kong

<ul><li>Halloween in Japan has taken on a life of its own since it was first celebrated at Tokyo Disneyland in 2000. The Japanese place little importance on American Halloween traditions like trick-or-treating. </li><li>Where Americans might wear basic costumes from a party store, the Japanese will go all out with quality cosplay (costume play) that ranges from cute to terrifying. </li><li>In Japan, Halloween celebrations burst out onto the streets in manic zombie runs, flash mobs, and street parties. </li></ul>

Halloween: Japan

Halloween in The Netherlands is a small affair, seen as evidence of Americanisation and commercialism rather than as a cultural institution. Despite this, shades of Halloween can be seen in the wild parties dotted around Amsterdam. <ul><li>However, on November 11, the Dutch hold Sint-Maarten, a children’s feast day that resembles American Halloween yet is more widely practiced. On the evening of the 11th, children can be spotted on the streets, carrying lanterns that resemble sugar beet or turnips, reminiscent of the American jack o’lantern. </li><li>As they wander the streets, the children will knock on door<warningtag>s and sing songs to their neighbors in the hope of receiving candies. </warningtag></li></ul>

Sint-Maarten: the Netherlands

<ul><li>Dia das Bruxas, or Day of the Witches, is the equivalent of Halloween in Portugal. The holiday shares many of its traditional roots with Halloween. </li><li>Trick-or-treating is a staple of Dia das Bruxas, but children ask for bread, fruits, or nuts instead of candy.</li><li> Families also visit the graves of deceased relatives on the Day of the Witches. They adorn the graves with flowers and candles to honor their ancestors.</li></ul>

Dia das Bruxas: Portugal

It's easy to find the beauty that ties together different Halloween traditions around the world. Read on to find out how it's celebrated!

artsandculture

Society, Arts & Culture

10 Halloween traditions from around the world

<ul><li>Legend has it that Stingy Jack tricked and convinced the devil to not claim his soul.</li><li>When Jack died, God didn't want such a conniving person in heaven and the devil, true to his word, would not allow him into hell.</li><li>Jack was sent off into the night with only a burning coal to light his path. He placed the coal inside a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the earth ever since.</li><li>People in Ireland and Scotland began creating their own creations of Jack's lanterns out of turnips, beets, and potatoes. The tradition traveled to the United States along with the immigrants and people began to use pumpk<warningtag>ins, native to North America, for the lanterns instead.</warningtag></li></ul>

 "Jack o'lantern" comes from the Irish legend of Stingy Jack

Created in the 1880s by George Renninger, it was sold to the masses by Goelitz Confectionery Company (now Jelly Belly Co.) at the turn of the century.Because corn is what was used to feed chickens, the creation was called "Chicken Feed" and the box was marked with a colorful rooster.

Candy corn was originally called Chicken Feed

<ul><li>Like several other Halloween activities, the tradition can be traced back to the Middle Ages and the rituals of Samhain.</li><li>It was believed that phantoms walked the earth on the night of Samhain, so people would dress up in costumes in an effort to repel the spirits.</li><li>As the Catholic Church started supplanting pagan festivals with their own holidays (like All Souls' Day), the act of souling became popular, and poor children and adults would go door-to-door dressed as spirits accepting food in exchange for prayers.</li></ul>

Trick-or-treating comes from "souling"

According to Guinness World Records, the highest number of lit jack o'lanterns on display is 30,581 by the City of Keene, New Hampshire in 2013. Keene, represented by Let it Shine, has broken the record 8 times over since the original attempt. That's a whole lot of pumpkins!

The most lit jack o'lanterns on display is 30,581

Old English folklore about Halloween is full of superstition and fortune-telling that still lingers today, like bobbing for apples or avoiding black cats. One piece of folklore says that if a young unmarried person walks down the stairs backwards at midnight while holding a mirror, the face that appears in the mirror will be their next lover.

Halloween folklore is full of fortune-telling and magic

<ul><li>The Day of the Dead, or Dia de Los Muertos, takes place from October 31 through November 2 in Mexico and a few other Hispanic countries. </li><li>November 1st, Dia de Los Inocentes, honors children that died, and family members decorate graves with baby's breath and white orchids. </li><li>On November 2nd, Dia de Los Muertos, families honor adults who have died and place orange marigolds on grave sites.</li><li>The original Aztec celebration actually lasted a month-long, but when Spanish conquistadors came over to Mexico in the 16th century, they merged the festival with the Catholic All Saints' Day. </li></ul>

Day of the Dead should really be called Days of the Dead

The classic 1978 horror film "Halloween" can be easily recognized in just one image: the psychotic Michael Myers in his iconic pale-faced mask. The movie was actually filmed on such a tight budget that the crew used the cheapest mask they could find: a $2 Star Trek Captain James Kirk mask. They spray-painted it white and reshaped the eye holes, making William Shatner look incredibly creepy.

Michael Myers' mask is actually a William Shatner mask

<ul><li>The Halloween we know today can trace its roots back to the ancient Celtic end-of-harvest festival of Samhain. During Samhain, people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off evil spirits.</li><li>In the eighth century, in an effort to spread Christianity, Pope Gregory III decreed November 1 as All Saints' Day and incorporated some of the rituals of Samhain. </li><li>All Saints' Day was also called All Hallows and the night before, when the traditional Samhain festival used to take place in Celtic regions, was called All Hallows' Eve.</li></ul>

Halloween originated from an ancient Celtic festival

The night before Halloween, young children in Des Moines hit the streets for Beggars' Night. According to an article in the Des Moines Register, the event began around 1938 as a way to prevent vandalism and give younger children a safer way to enjoy Halloween.Beggars' Night is very similar to regular trick-or-treating, except kids are required to tell a joke, poem or perform a "trick" for a treat. The best part? The jokes are notoriously groan-worthy like, "If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? Pilgrims."

Des Moines has a hilarious tradition called Beggars' Night

The United States' most famous address has had several reports of ghostly appearances and eerie sounds – and that's not even including election years! The most common ghost sighting is of Abraham Lincoln who has been spotted by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and Sir Winston Churchill. Other paranormal guests include Andrew Jackson, David Burns and Abigail Adams.

The haunting of the White House 

Halloween as we know it is an odd tradition where children dress up in costume and go door-to-door begging for free candy. Here are some fun facts...

Fun Halloween facts

<ul><li>A jack-o’-lantern is, as the name might suggest, a lantern—one made out of a root vegetable. </li><li>Their origin comes from an Irish myth about Stingy Jack, who tricked the Devil for his own monetary gain.</li><li> When Jack died, God didn’t allow him into heaven, and the Devil didn’t let him into hell, so Jack was sentenced to roam the earth for eternity. </li><li>In Ireland, people started to carve demonic faces out of turnips to frighten away Jack’s wandering soul. </li><li>When Irish immigrants moved to the U.S., they began carving jack-o’-lanterns from pumpkins, as these were native to the region.</li></ul>

The history of jack-o’-lanterns

The pumpkin aspect of the tradition is uniquely American. When Europeans came to America, they discovered pumpkins, a Native American crop that, besides being tasty, they recognized would make fabulous jack-o’-lanterns.The spooky history behind this family tradition has been lost as years go by. So now carving pumpkins is synonymous with family and fun instead of spooky spirits.

How jack-o’-lanterns have changed throughout history

<ul><li> Halloween is based on the Celtic festival Samhain. It was believed that during Samhain the souls of those who had died that year traveled to the otherworld and that other souls would return to visit their homes.</li><li>In the 8th century CE, the Roman Catholic Church moved All Saints’ Day, a day celebrating the church’s saints, to November 1. This meant that All Hallows’ Eve (or Halloween) fell on October 31. </li><li>Traditions from Samhain remained, such as wearing disguises to hide from the souls wandering around your home. </li><li>The folklore about Stingy Jack was quickly incorporated into Halloween, and we’ve b<warningtag>een carving pumpkins—or turnips—ever since.</warningtag></li></ul>

How jack-o’-lanterns become associated with Halloween

<ul><li>Lighting candles is a near-universal way to beckon the dead in cultures that still call them to return for one night. For instance, you can see this custom in the Mexican Día de Muertos. </li><li>But only the Celtic culture uses imitation skulls called jack-o’-lanterns to welcome some and banish others. </li><li>Japan has a similar tradition: The Japanese light four-sided paper lanterns on small wooden rafts and send them down rivers to guide their beloved spirits back home on a stream of light on their day of the dead, which they call Obon.</li></ul>

Jack-o’-lanterns in other cultures

Why do we carve pumpkins on Halloween? This fun tradition, and jack-o'-lantern history, dates way, way back.

history

History

Why Do We Carve Pumpkins at Halloween?

Princess Elizabeth was on a tour of South Africa, part of the British Empire at the time, when she turned 21 and made one of her earliest public addresses: “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.” The speech was broadcast on the radio from Cape Town.

1947: ELIZABETH DEDICATES HER LIFE TO PUBLIC SERVICE

Elizabeth’s path to the throne was hastened by the abdication of her uncle and the early death of her father, King George VI. She became queen in February 1952, at age 25, and was 27 at the time of her official coronation in June 1953.The event was televised for the first time — a decision encouraged by her husband, Philip, that would catapult the royal family into people’s homes for decades to come. Millions in Britain and around the world watched the BBC broadcast from Westminster Abbey.

1953: CORONATION

Elizabeth visited President Harry S. Truman in 1951 when she was a princess, but she made her first state visit to the United States as queen in 1957, meeting with President Dwight D. Eisenhower.Queen Elizabeth has made more than 90 state visits, in addition to traveling widely in the British Commonwealth. While projecting the symbolism of the crown, she has helped to strengthen ties with allies and smooth fraught relationships in places such as India, Russia, South Africa and Ireland.

1957: FIRST STATE VISIT TO AMERICA

Queen Elizabeth II has never given an interview. But she has found ways to connect with her subjects, including through her annual Christmas address, a central part of British holiday traditions.As both head of state and head of the Church of England, she has mixed words of wisdom, faith and occasionally personal reflections.

 1957: FIRST TELEVISED CHRISTMAS ADDRESS

Thousands of adoring fans pressed past policemen and climbed onto palace gates and lampposts as John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr arrived to meet the queen.Wearing a pale gold gown, she bestowed medals of honor on the British pop culture icons.Four years later, Lennon would return his medal, in protest of Britain’s support of the U.S. war in Vietnam and its involvement in the Nigerian Civil War.

1965: BEATLEMANIA COMES TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Space exploration ranks high among the scientific and technological advances during Elizabeth’s reign. After becoming the first people to land on the moon, Americans Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin undertook a global goodwill tour, stopping at Buckingham Palace on Oct. 14, 1969.Armstrong later revealed that he was so sick that day he considered skipping the event; instead he went and ended up coughing on the queen.

1969: A VISIT FROM THE APOLLO 11 ASTRONAUTS

Queen Elizabeth II broke centuries of tradition when, instead of waving from afar, she greeted people up close on a royal tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1970. Since then, the “walkabout” has become a regular practice for many members of the royal family.

1970: THE FIRST ROYAL WALKABOUT

One of the rockier periods of the queen’s family life began with the fairy-tale wedding of her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, to Diana Spencer on July 29, 1981. Up to a million people sought to get a glimpse of the procession in central London, while the BBC estimated that 750 million people around the world watched on television.Although Diana was beloved as “the people’s princess,” the couple had a troubled marriage, with mutual accusations of infidelity. They separated in 1992.

1981: CHARLES AND DIANA’S MARRIAGE

South African President Nelson Mandela arrived in Britain in July 1996 for a four-day state visit to his country’s former colonizer. On that trip, Mandela and the queen developed a lasting fondness for each other. She hosted him at Buckingham Palace and took him on a carriage ride through central London.

1996: HOSTING NELSON MANDELA

The queen faced criticism for a slow response after the news of Diana's death in Paris. Days later, she spoke to the nation live from Buckingham Palace and said: “No one who knew Diana will ever forget her. Millions of others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her...We have all been trying in our different ways to cope.”

1997: DIANA’S DEATH

The famously staid queen surprised audiences at the 2012 London Olympic Games by appearing in a dramatic opening segment alongside Britain’s most famous spy, James Bond, played by actor Daniel Craig.The real queen, poker-faced as always, entered her box seat with a familiar yet cheeky wave.

2012: LONDON OLYMPICS

Elizabeth had been married to Philip for 73 years when Buckingham Palace announced his death on April 9, 2021.His funeral, in the midst of the pandemic, was attended only by close family members and friends. The queen sat alone in a pew, wearing a black face mask, in keeping with national restrictions.

2021: PRINCE PHILIP’S DEATH

Parades, parties and a public holiday marked the queen’s Platinum Jubilee, which celebrated Elizabeth as the first and only British monarch to reach 70 years on the throne.The queen, smiling in a light blue ensemble and white gloves emerged on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as thousands reflected on her long life and reign. It would be one of her last major public appearances.

2022: PLATINUM JUBILEE

Queen Elizabeth II: A visual timeline of her 70 years on the throne

Blue is associated with the positive qualities of trust, efficiency, serenity, coolness, reflection, and calm.The aim is to create a home-like relaxing feel, so airlines tend to use muted colors that feel domestic, natural, and earthy for that reason.

Why plane seats are generally blue

There is a science behind getting the right lighting on board, looking at the mix of colors used on board and how the light will reflect off the thread of the fabric.Once all of the fabrics, textiles, and finishes have been chosen, several color workshops are held on aircraft interior mock-ups to trial the settings across a range of different lighting scenarios, from boarding and when meals are served, to the sleeping hours.

The science behind plane lighting

New technology has revealed ways that aircraft noise could be reduced.Insulating the plane fuselage with a thin membrane can reduce the relentless hum of plane engines and make flying less noisy.

Noise-canceling walls

Ever wonder why nearly all planes have blue seats?

The real reason why most plane seats are blue – and other curious facts about plane cabins

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