"Kaisparitu - The Gift of Seeing God in the Face of Another"
?...Kathleen Kasper-Kat Armstrong
? Content Writing ?? Sales ??Training ? Community Support & Office Assistance ? Recruiting & Team Building
"Kaisparitu - The Gift of Seeing God in the Face of Another"
From the notes of Kathleen (Kasper-Kat) Armstrong, (w)Holy Ghostwriter
?2024 (posted on November 10, 2024)
Kaisparitu, what a strange name you may say. I imagine most names sounded strange when they first came into being. The name originated with a few thoughts that are related to this foreign belief: people are more connected than they see.
If a scientist told you today that you are 25% African American, 40% Irish, 20%Czech and 15% Jamaican, chances are you'd believe them. Somehow, our understanding of what makes people tick has changed over the course of time. Most scientists were considered crazy, when they first tried to convince people of connections they could see that others failed to see.
Chai-though many of you may know this as the tea you purchase at your local Safeway, is what's known as the transliteration of the Hebrew word meaning "life," this is also one letter found in the Hebrew alphabet, the fifth letter to be precise. What's more, this is also the symbol connected with how blood was applied to one's door frame of their home during the Passover, to save the life of the Jewish people. If you haven't heard this before, I'd say it's "high" time you do. Yet, there is much more to this name than that.
At the end of this article, you will see links to a few things connected with this portion of the new brand name (Kaisparitu). At Blue Letter Bible you can learn more about the pronunciation of this term, and hear it within the website. The introduction of both the brand name and the game that was introduced are also found within the informational notes for today's article below. The book "Chai, Chaat & Chutney" is a book that shows readers how to make a number of Indian food items including "chai" tea. Though the book doesn't specifically mention the pronunciation of the word "chai" (tea) -- most people are aware that the word is said using a "ch" sound (as in "church") rather than the "kh" sound (as is "kite" ) in the Hebrew word "hay" -- often written as "chai" also. A picture of the chai symbol is found on the right side the bracelet shown in the article "Piecing Together Memories of My Life" that I wrote in honor of Mother's Day.
Tis the season
I had planned to include a story about this idea of gift-giving in a recent post about Halloween, and yet changed my mind at the last minute. I'm thankful I waited to do so now. Though the United States will be celebrating Thanksgiving as we near then end of November, today is one day away from another important holiday, a holiday connected to honoring others: Veterans Day. Honoring those who have served the country is the point of the observance, and this happens to be the point of what came to mind for me today also. Although there is a remarkable difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day, the connection between the two may catch you off guard. I first mentioned the biblical connection to both Veterans Day and Memorial Day within the article "A Memorial's Purpose" and for this reason the link to this Linkedin article has been included in the informational notes for today's article also.
Specifically, both Veterans Day and Memorial Day in some sense reveal the purpose of a country's military: to protect people from harm. To get a glimpse into why memorials are made and how this is connected to maintaining right relations with others, I'd encourage you to read Genesis 31:51-52 along with Genesis 35 of the "Holy Bible." Here you will see two (of many) ways stones were used to remind people of an important point--often related to change that is needed, and honoring others.
That's when it hit me; there was a specific gift I had been given that turned up missing--yet was never forgotten: a fire opal. A great aunt who had traveled to Australia had brought the stone back with her-- and with the pendant came her stories about her experiences when traveling abroad. When remembering the missing stone, I realized an amazing point in always cherishing this gift. It was rounded much like the eye, and whenever I see an iridescent opal, I think back to our conversation that day. She found out that she preferred one animal over another--and she shared with me why. This didn't change my perspective--what the convesation did, was give me an appreciation for getting a chance to see the perspective of another. My aunt had good reasons to prefer one animal over another--and that's another point of this story.
I believe God is good; and sometimes it helps to connect with others -- by remembering this point, before I attempt to change them.
Of late, I've struggled over this idea of gift giving. It's not a new struggle--it's one that often comes to mind during the holidays. There is a part of me that loves to give good gifts to those I know and love, and at the same time I see how this becomes an expectation rather than purposeful. A great example of this is found in the day I found precisely two perfect gifts at the same place for two different people I love. We had just gotten out of church, and a flea market of sorts had been set up in the parking lot of the nearby shopping center. Christmas was coming, so my mom and I wandered the aisles to look for some gifts. One of the problems that happens in our family, is that we often see something WE love also when shopping for others. My mother, after eying a sweet container she loved, convinced herself that she could live without the gift, despite the low cost. She reminded herself "I'm here to get gifts for others, not myself." As we continued on, I somehow managed to sneak back, purchase the gift and stash it in my purse without her seeing this.
The amazing connection in this story may lead you to believe this is made up; however, this is a true story.
Sure enough, after having time to think about it, my mother inched her way back to the stall where the item she loved was for sale and was exasperated. "I knew I should have gotten it when I first saw it!" she said to me. I am the worst at keeping gifts a surprise until they are meant to be given--so that fact that I was able to keep this a secret when she went on and on about how frustrated she was -- is quite remarkable. It just so happens that this is also the same place I had found a gift for my mother's mother, that matched something she did for a living at one point in her life: an antique box that was used in banks to keep important items safe. When I first learned about the teller's box and found that the price was something I could afford, I scooped that up also.
Now, when you read the recent Halloween post about a "Grandpa's Favorite" candy -- and the story about a boy scout and a bank teller --the connectedness of these gifts (I hope) will be appreciated. The gift my mother had found was none other than a small glass dish that could hold items such as candy, and the bank teller (found in the introduction of the short story series) is about the grandmother for whom I had gotten this antique banker's box.
Maybe you've struggled with gift giving too.
When we see what seems to be a "good and perfect gift," for someone, most of us would love to scoop it up and present it to the person who came to mind. Yet, how often do we find ourselves wanting to show others we love and care about their wellbeing, only to end up buying gifts that may not be perfectly suited for them, or helpful for our own wellbeing either? Families get bigger and our expectations do too. That doesn't mean expectations are entirely wrong. Expectations are hope in disguise.
Many people are now opting to donate money to a worthy cause, in lieu of gift giving during the holidays, others may suggest "pulling names" for family gift exchanges, and some may simply send a card to loved ones to express their love during the holidays. Whatever you choose, today's post is a reminder--whatever you do, let it be done in love -- for this is good.
This also reveals HOW the "world version" of the game I began creating is changed, so that people from various walks of life can connect with others (and with God). In the world version, rather than "praying" specifically to God, character traits associated to what one believes to be good, is linked to what is being created. If you didn't read the introduction to the game and the new brand name, I'd encourage you to do so now, if you are interested in learning more about this game that is also connected to creating something that can be worn for the purpose of remembering good character you hope to build throughout the course of your life.
For those who have read about the new brand that is connected with this new game, the following notes are to help you envision the way this is put into practice.
Rules For the Game Kaisparitu -- Rings and Strings For Change (Continued):
5. Each person should have a set of their own. Athough I have not been in talks with anyone regarding an official set of character pieces, rings, strings and chains for this game, information about this will be pinned to both the Facebook and Linkedin pages for the creator of the game Kathleen (Kasper-Kat) Armstrong, (w)Holy Ghostwriter when any updates about this are made. That noted, many of the items are things you may have already and/or can purchase, such as a beading kit, and/or a set of chains that can have various "character pieces" (aka: charms) placed on the chain during the game. Furthermore, it is helpful for those who want to introduce the new game to others, to purchase a small set that can be "loaned" or "gifted" to someone who you offer to connect with.
6. Although you can "connect" with this good idea on your own, and can do so remotely with others, in fact this is something you could also do with someone who doesn't have the pieces on them -- this is meant to done with actual chains, strings, rings, and such. Here is one example of how this can be done. Say you are driving in your car, and a family member says "Dad, can we connect with Kaisparitu Linkedin with Westgate Church?" Dad may say, how is Kaisparitu connected with Westgate Church. The other family member can show someone else in the car (by way of their smartphone that Kathleen Kasper-Kat Armstrong is "friends" with Steve Clifford in San Jose, who works at Westgate Church at Facebook.) Dad may want to play; however, because he is driving, it wouldn't be wise for him to take his hands off the wheel to connect with others. In this case, a "team-mate" can help put the chain links together for dad.
7. The rules for the game (called "connection") is meant to be finite -- even though "prayer" is meant to be ongoing. The purpose of this "rule" is for good reason. Although the "rules" for this are meant to encourage good relations between people, it's also important for people to know what is being expected of them, when they are connecting with others. Innuendos are rarely helpful when it comes to connecting with others in our everyday lives. Being clear about our intentions helps to build honest and respectful connections, and for that reason people not only need to know what's being expected, they also need to be afforded the ability to decline an offer being made to them. One great example of this is when one person wants to connect by way of the "church" version, and another prefers to connect via the "world version," the rules of asking (found in the first and the second rule of the new game) was created to encourage people learning to be clear in what they hope to do with others, by way of actual conversations.
8. How the game begins: After participants who wish to connect agree to do so, the person who suggested connecting begins with the first task. Before beginning the first task, this person needs to think of the trait they want to work on in their life. Let's say the trait they wish to work on is "Patience." The first person must then use the word "patience" in a sentence that professes praise. In the church version the person may say "Lord, I love the patience you have for me." In the world version, someone may say "I love the way my father (or big sister) is always has so much patience when we play together."
The next person is then to do the same; however, they will say something using the word that they want more of in their life. Maybe the word they choose is "abundance." In the church version, someone may say "Lord, I love the abundance of love you have given to me throughout my lifetime." In the world version, someone may say "I love the way my friend Jill always seems to have an abundance mind-set." Here is a key way to make extra points. Because this is also based on the Ten Commandments found in the "Holy Bible," people get to place extra items on their chains for "bonus points" they make. One way to get a bonus point is to honor a parent when you make a statement; however, the statement MUST be the truth. If you lie -- you could immediately be disqualified from continuing on in making more connections. In the church version, for example, the person may say "Lord, I love how you help my parent to be more patient with me." In the world version, the person may say, "I love how my parent has always provided an abundance of exemplary good character for me to learn from." Although I didn't specifically mention what parent the person is referring to, it may or may not be helpful for the person to say they are speaking about their father or mother. For example, say you are playing the game with family members, and you think that one parent's feelings would be hurt in saying this about one of them, the wise choice would be to simply say this is about your parent. Yet, if you were playing with friends, it may help a friend who doesn't like one of your parents to know what you love about that parent, so stating what parent you are referring to would be both wise and kind to do. Task two doesn't begin until everyone playing has been able to complete the first task. The list of tasks for this connection -- game is noted here for those interested in how this takes shape.
Task 1: Profess praise
Task 2: Confess a (personal) weaknesses or mistake made
Task 3: Confess your resolve
Task 4: Seek wisdom
Task 5: Seek help for self and others
Task 6. Expressing thanks.
Task 7: Stop and see the results of what's been done.
There are a few ways to remember the order of the way connections are made. Previously, a prayer model known as "ACTS" reveals the components of prayer found in the scriptures, however you will see there are 7 tasks (rather than four tasks that are shown in the ACTS prayer model) here for a reason. Another way to remember the order is to remember: Praise (2-C) wisdom helps us -- give thanks--and to "stop and smell the roses," knowing that the 7th day is a day to cease from our work to rest. However, the acts prayer models could also help you remember the order by knowing there are two forms of confession and two forms of seeing assistance (or supplication) noted here.
Yet, before continuing on -- with the rules for the new game mentioned here today, I'd like to take a moment to also encourage others on the ideas being presented here today. First and foremost, with the coming Veterans Day celebrations that may be offered in your city, one gift you may consider giving is to a charity that helps those who have served your country (where-ever you live). I could name a specific organization; however, I've decided to not mention one specific cause, knowing that you may know the cause that best suits those where you live.
Many of you are aware that I usually link songs and movies with my writing. Although I didn't plan to link any songs within the article for today, I did want to point out a movie that I appreciated watching again, and another that I watch around this time of the year -- every year. "The Lost Valentine" Hallmark movie has been linked in the notes here today. Although the story is about a woman who's husband is missing in action that learns the truth about what happened to him during the war many years later, part of what I loved about this film is that it not only showcases the challenges of military life, but it also appears to have included actual military veterans. I searched online to see if I could show that veterans were included in the film and could not find proof of this, having met many military men and women, I sensed that this may infact be true. Because this is a bit of a tear-jerker, I'll include one more to end this on a more pleasant note--and yes--this is connected with songs that are sometimes sung around this time of year, namely "White Christmas" featuring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. In the notes below, you will see where this film can be viewed and purchased, but also learn about how many entertainers have lent their support to assist others in our communities.
Informational Notes For Today's Article:
1. "Veterans Day Facts and Information" Article by the US Department of Veterans Affairs:
2. The introduction to the new game and the new brand is found here:
@Facebook:
@Linkedin:
3. The Silicon Valley Voice "Santa Clara Veterans Day: Back to Tradition" article is found here:
4. "A Memorial's Purpose" by Kathleen (Kasper-Kat) Armstrong, (w)Holy Ghostwriter
5. Blue Letter Bible, "life" translitteration and pronunciation notes:
6. "Chai, Chaat & Chutney" by Chetna Makan:
7. "Piecing Together Memories of My Life" by Kathleen (Kasper-Kat) Armstrong, (w)Holy Ghostwriter:
@linkdedin
@Facebook:
8. "In Pursuit of the Halloween Ghost" short story series by Kathleen (Kasper-Kat) Armstrong, (w)Holy Ghostwriter:
9. "good and perfect gift" -- was placed within quotes for a reason. The phrase is found in the book of James of the "Holy Bible," specifically in the first chapter of this book.
a link to the verse this is connected with is found here at Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=good+and+perfect+gift&version=NIV
10: "The Lost Valentine" Hallmark Hall of Fame movie:
11. "What Is the ACTS Prayer Method and How Do You Pray It?" Crosswalk article:
12. "White Christmas" Paramount Pictures movie at Amazon:
*Although I hadn't included one of the many films Bob Hope has acted in--Bob, along with many famous Hollywood entertainers are not only known for hosting shows for military personnel; I learned that many have assisted in caring for our veterans. "Bob Hope Village" is one example of a place that was created to house retired military personnel and their families (in Florida). I've included a link to the website, in order to honor Bob and others who have worked to serve our veterans (here in the United States of America) who have served us. My hope is that this will encourage communities to see how money and donations can help others in YOUR community also.