Feb 22
Owen JonesUncategorized belief, catholicism, family, gold, grief, happiness, humanities, inspirational, motivation, other, relationships, self help, spirituality, Uncategorized, unknown
Have you ever seen a golden rosary? They are not items you see every day, but they are very striking and they can be found if you look around. A rosary is a symbol of your faith, a method of doing penance and even a way of remembering who gave you your faith.
Because of the symbolic character of a rosary, it does not matter at all what it is made from. However, if you like beautiful things, a golden rosary could be a luxury item for you, even though there is more risk of it being stolen.
You certainly would not want to have it stolen of course, but a valuable rosary is a beautiful thing to possess, like a golden business card case or an luxurious fountain pen. It is not so much that it demonstrates that you can afford one, it is more that it shows that it is an important item to you. Something of significance. If you like writing, you want a decent pen, if you want to give a good impression, you can have a good business card case and if you love God, you can have a good-looking rosary.
However, you do not have to take it to church with you, if you are worried about being flash. You could only use it at home, if that made you feel easier. After all, you are not buying a golden rosary to show off to the world’s population, just to illustrate your commitment to yourself. The weight of a golden rosary seems to add gravity to the proceedings, but that might be a private thing.
However, you do not necessarily have to buy a gold rosary for yourself. You might buy one for a child or godchild in order to show how much you hope that they will discover or uphold the faith.
You will have to go to a professional dealer who knows about gold rosaries. This is because if the beads are too heavy for the chain, the chain might not last long. The constant moving of the beads could either wear the gold chain thin too swiftly or just snap it.
That would be a real shame, because you might lose one or more of your beads too and the beads on a gold rosary would necessarily be quite classy too. Replacing one or more beads might be difficult or even impossible years down the line.
A gold rosary would almost certainly become a family heirloom and be passed down for generations or even hundreds of years. It would be a great inducement for a young person to consider the important things in life.
Your church could give you pointers about where to buy a gold rosary from someone that really knows what the proportions of the beads to the chain should be. They will also offer you different purities of gold, usually 9, 14 or 18 carat gold and the beads could be anything from glass to pearls.
If you do go in for a gold rosary, get the retailer to attest to the materials used in its manufacture and the various weights so that if you have a problem, you have proof to show the insurance company.
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with Clogau Welsh gold. If you have an interest in gold rings, please go to our website now at White Gold Claddagh Ring
Dec 10
Howie HolbenTravel Tips fitness, gay, health, inspirational, metaphysical, motivation, recreation, self-improvement, spirituality, tourism, tours, travel, Travel Tips, Vacations
Vacations are something that everyone takes in order to get themselves out of the hustle and bustle of the real world for a little bit of relaxation and rejuvenation. This time away is very important to both our physical and mental health. There are many different types of vacations that one can take in order to fill these needs.
There are solo vacations, or vacations that include family or a small group of friends. Travelling with people that share your interests and life experience, is another way to go. This is where gay spirituality exploration becomes important for the gay community.
On gay vacations, our gayness is one thing we all have in common. This shared life experience can only add to our vacation experience. Bonds are quickly formed in the group due to our shared experiences in life.
People that were at first strangers, become friends quickly and easily. This is one reason gay vacations are great way to travel. Knowing that we are understood by those around us adds an immediate sense of comfort to the group.
This understanding helps us to relax and open ourselves up and allows us to be a little more vulnerable. When we’re relaxed and open, we’re able to go a little deeper into the vacation experience. This allows us recover from life’s stresses more quickly and more fully.
A vacation with men and women that also share our intentions for the vacation deepens our sense of recovery. Spiritually connecting to the world around us and to ourselves is one shared intention. Now we share two important things, our gay spirit and a desire to grow spiritually.
Exploring our spirituality while on gay tours visiting special places throughout the world is a wonderful combination. With the other group members by our side, we are encouraged to step outside our box and live free. Living freer is the main goal of all vacations, is it not?
Essay penned by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys provides gay retreats and gay romantic packages.
categories: metaphysical,spirituality,self improvement,motivation,inspirational,gay,travel,vacations,tours,tourism,health,fitness,recreation
Dec 10
Howie HolbenTravel Tips fitness, gay, health, inspirational, metaphysical, motivation, recreation, self-improvement, spirituality, tourism, tours, travel, Travel Tips, Vacations
South Africa has long been a gay tours destination, even before it became a human rights frontrunner with the abolition of apartheid, having the first constitution in the world that outlaws discrimination based on sexual orientation and becoming the fifth country worldwide to legalize same-sex marriage. Of course, after these landmark events, the interest in traveling to South Africa significantly increased in both the gay and straight communities. Today South Africa is the most accepting and gay-friendly country on the African continent with a growing gay culture that stretches from the pristine beaches of the Western Cape Province to the exciting, fast-paced lifestyle of Gauteng and is an increasingly popular gay vacation destination.
Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town are must-see stops on gay vacations to South Africa and offer a variety of establishments, events and activities that are gay-centered or gay-friendly. Gay men will find a plethora of establishments that cater exclusively to them from lodging options that include gay-owned exclusively male guest houses, Pretoria’s Camp David, which is a private nude bar exclusively for gay men, and Cape Towns bathhouses, which are generally referred to as steam saunas or steam baths. While South Africa’s gay scene is mostly geared towards men, lesbians and families will also find plenty of activities to enjoy on gay vacations in this historically- and culturally-rich country, including many tour options offered by gay-friendly tour companies committed to providing a great gay vacation for gay travelers.
Gay travelers interested in designing a gay tour around pride celebrations and gay events may want to plan their trip for September, which is South Africa’s gay pride month and offers a full calendar with multiple gay pride events, as well as the Out in Africa South African Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, which draws over 16,000 attendees from around the world. Those visiting in December will have the opportunity to experience Cape Towns Mother City Queer Project annual costume party, which draws more than 10,000 visitors. Gay men who enjoy a beach lifestyle will also want to check out Clifton’s Third Beach and Sandy Bay nudist beach, which are very popular spots among gay men in Cape Town. There is also a gay area in Cape Towns Green Point where travelers will find a selection of gay-owned and gay-friendly eateries and establishments, as well as local gay publications like Outright and Exit, which list events and goings on in the area.
No gay vacations would be complete without experiencing authentic South African cuisine and taking the opportunity to dine in some of South Africa’s many welcoming restaurants. When visiting Johannesburg, travelers will not want to miss Bellgables Country Restaurant offering delicious meals in a renovated farmhouse sitting on 21 acres of farmland. In Cape Town there are many dining options, including Lola’s, a gay-owned vegetarian restaurant, and Emily’s an award winning fine dining restaurant featuring South African cuisine, a wine bar and a beer bar.
Working with a travel agency that is accustomed to planning gay tours to South Africa will help ensure that you get the most from your gay travel experience and that you have the information you need regarding where to go, what to see and which areas may have certain safety concerns for gay travelers.
Info post about South Africa originated by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys suggests gay vacation spots and is a place for gay spiritual singles.
categories: metaphysical,spirituality,self improvement,motivation,inspirational,gay,travel,vacations,tours,tourism,health,fitness,recreation
Dec 08
Howie HolbenTravel Tips fitness, gay, health, inspirational, metaphysical, motivation, recreation, self-improvement, spirituality, tourism, tours, travel, Travel Tips, Vacations
Tucked between Tibet and India in a remote region of the Himalayan Mountains, lies a tiny Buddhist kingdom called Bhutan. Visitors to this spiritually and culturally-rich country will find a simpler way of life that is largely unaltered by Western culture and modern attitudes. Every aspect of life in Bhutanese villages and towns is steeped in the age-old traditions, beliefs, customs and practices of Buddhism, which is the basis of this country’s conservative, traditional way of life.
However, while Bhutanese culture may be traditional and conservative in many ways, the people of Bhutan warmly welcome tourists on gay travel tours, just as they do any other guest. The number of tour groups and tourists allowed to enter Bhutan each year is restricted by the government as part of an overall effort to preserve the cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty of this long-isolated country, so those who have the opportunity to venture into this mystical land as part of an organized tour group should take advantage of the chance to experience all that Bhutan has to offer.
Bhutan has no LGBT scene to speak of; therefore, a gay vacation planned to this magnificent mountain kingdom would certainly not be planned with the intent of experiencing a distinct LGBT community or visiting LGBT establishments. Of course, this is not to say that same-gender behaviors and relationships do not occur. These activities are actually common and accepted and there is a significant amount of bisexual sexual behavior practiced among Bhutanese men.
There is a noted level of bisexual behavior among men, most of who are either married to women or monastic monks, and this is not considered taboo. There is technically a very old law on the books in Bhutan that states that homosexual activity is punishable by imprisonment with the possibility of a life sentence; however, most residents are not even aware of this law and there are no records of it ever being enforced.
Choosing gay vacation destinations in Bhutan opens visitors up to a chance to fully experience a culture that has been isolated from the outside world until just three decades ago. From hiking in the majestic Himalayas to visiting mountainside Buddhist monasteries and exploring the valleys below, Bhutan is an ideal atmosphere for spiritual travel or awakening.
To fully enjoy all that Bhutan offers, it is recommended that you plan your gay adventure travel tours to Bhutan very well. This will help to ensure that you are given the opportunity to discover the beauty and spirituality of this magnificent country, while respecting Bhutan’s natural and cultural richness.
Advice about Bhutan initiated by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys puts forth gay adventure travel and has resources for gay spirituality.
categories: metaphysical,spirituality,self improvement,motivation,inspirational,gay,travel,vacations,tours,tourism,health,fitness,recreation
Dec 06
Howie HolbenTravel Tips fitness, gay, health, inspirational, metaphysical, motivation, recreation, self-improvement, spirituality, tourism, tours, travel, Travel Tips, Vacations
The Pacific paradise of Hawaii has long held an exotic allure that draws travelers from all corners of the globe to its picturesque shores. With a population that is warm and welcoming and comprised of a remarkable blend of white European, Polynesian and Asian cultures, Hawaii is popular for both straight and gay vacations. Hawaii’s LGBT community is low-key and not necessarily highly visible, but those who take part in a Hawaii gay travel experience will find a higher level of acceptance than many places in the U.S., due in large part to an overall welcoming and accepting atmosphere created from generations of several cultures living together without one dominant culture or religion imposing its will.
Oahu is the third largest island in size, but is home to 70% of the states population, as well as the state capitol, Honolulu, and the popular tourist area, Waikiki. When visiting Oahu on gay holidays, travelers will not want to miss the LGBT-friendly La Cucaracha where authentic Mexican food, great music and delicious margaritas are always on the menu. Those who want to check out Oahus scene should check out 80% Straight Inc., a community clothing, book and novelty store located in the Waikiki Grand, and the handful of bars and clubs on the island, including Angles Waikiki, Fusion Waikiki, In-Between and Hulas Bar & Lei Stand. Beach goers will find a warm welcome at Queens Surf beach and near the lighthouse at Diamond Head.
Those who choose a gay tour to Maui might not find a vibrant scene, other than a small area of Little Beach in Makena, but exploring quaint villages, watching the sunset atop Mount Haleakala and sunbathing near waterfalls all make Maui an enticing locale for gay tours. If exploring what is considered the most tropical and scenic island of them all is part of your plans, Kauai is sure to deliver no matter what time of year you visit. Kauai is home to a clothing optional LGBT-friendly bed and breakfast, as well as an LGBT-owned villa with a Japanese flair and a clothing optional lagoon pool, and is an ideal setting for exploring waterfalls, amazing cliffs and vast canyons.
The Big Island is also a welcoming vacation option and offers several LGBT-friendly accommodations, restaurants and business, as well as one bar. Gay vacations to the Big Island provide opportunities to visit an active volcano, black sand beaches, a rain forest or the snow-capped Mauna Kea.
There are many reasons to travel to Hawaii, which is the most remote island chain in the world and a must-see paradise. In a single trip to the islands you can scuba dive or snorkel among coral reefs, explore a volcano, visit a pineapple farm, ride horses on black sand beaches, learn the hula and attend an authentic luau. To make sure you do not miss anything that Hawaii has to offer, use a gay holidays tour, or enlist the assistance of a travel agency well-versed in planning gay vacation tours.
Discussion on Hawaii by Howie Holben with info on gay spiritual groups and gay weekend breaks.
categories: metaphysical,spirituality,self improvement,motivation,inspirational,gay,travel,vacations,tours,tourism,health,fitness,recreation
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