Stillpoint Meditation

Stillpoint Meditation Stillpoint Meditation offers guidance, instruction, and support in applying mindfulness meditation techniques to any aspect of daily life.

Stillpoint Meditation seeks to provide a moment of quiet in this hectic world, and to train practitioners to be able to do so on their own. We emphasize the importance of a personal daily meditation practice but complement this with group meditations throughout the week and ongoing classes to broaden and deepen your own journey. One-on-one guidance is also available, as well as customized programs for businesses and groups.

Frohen Tag der Heimat! Day of the Homeland takes place every second Sunday of September in the Federal Republic of Germa...
09/14/2026

Frohen Tag der Heimat! Day of the Homeland takes place every second Sunday of September in the Federal Republic of Germany. This observance respects and honors German expellees, while celebrating human rights and freedom throughout the country. Reflect on Germany’s resilience, learn about its cultural significance, and participate in local observances.

Day of the Homeland Hero
Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner was a prominent German politician credited with the successful passing of a resolution in Göttingen, 1957, which called for the establishment of a 'Day of the Homeland.' His efforts were instrumental in creating an official day to honor German expellees and reflect on the nation's journey towards human rights and freedom after World War II.

Why Day of the Homeland is Important

It pays respects to the expellees
Due to both world wars, millions of Germans were expelled or deported to other countries. Day of the Homeland was part of an effort to encourage and assist those who were expelled to return to their homeland and to honor those who have passed away due to hunger and sickness.

It reminds Germans of their homeland's precious values
As good citizens, we occasionally need to stop and think about the values that built our great nations. Whether we're German nationals or Americans, it's important to remember the blessings of home.

It advocates democracy and international understanding
A large number of events follow this day, all with the aim of encouraging democratic values and peaceful international relations. It's a beautiful thing.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Maheshkumar Painam on Unsplash

Calling all gamers! National Video Game Day powers up the fun every September 12. Plug into your favorite console or PC,...
09/12/2026

Calling all gamers! National Video Game Day powers up the fun every September 12. Plug into your favorite console or PC, explore new digital worlds, and challenge friends to epic battles. Gather your squad for a multiplayer marathon or dive into a solo adventure.

History of National Video Game Day

These days, everyone can find a video game that gets them hooked. Not only does it depend on the gameplay style you like — strategy or combat? — you might have a particular penchant for games from a specific age. Some love old-timey arcade games, while others are excited by cutting-edge VR.

Surprisingly, the origin story of your favorite video game app in your pocket is actually in research labs. The earliest video games began in the 1950s in universities like the University of Cambridge and MIT. Some games that came out of these were virtual tic tac toe, and “Spacewar!”

When the first home console, designed in 1967 by the “Father of Video Games” Ralph Baer, hit the market, it inspired the classic Atari game “Pong.” Though there was a copyright infringement lawsuit, Atari still took off with the public when they released the Atari 2600. Some of the best games of the ensuing era include “Space Invaders” and “Donkey Kong” — sound familiar?

After the video game market crash in 1983, Japanese company Nintendo burst onto the scene. Nintendo is responsible for some of the most important franchises around — Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid. Nintendo found a challenger in Sega, driving the market into the 3D Gaming world.

The modern era of gaming was truly kicked off in the early 21st century with the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and the Wii. Video games then invaded media platforms and video game apps flooded the app stores. Lucrative competitions for skilled gamers have begun to spring up worldwide. These days, big video game console companies like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, have their sights set on VR — the exciting future of video gaming gets more and more lifelike every day!

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Florian Olivo on Unsplash

Hey, are you okay? Are You Okay Day, observed every second Thursday of September, encourages Australians to check in wit...
09/10/2026

Hey, are you okay? Are You Okay Day, observed every second Thursday of September, encourages Australians to check in with friends, family, and colleagues. This day reminds us to ask, listen, encourage action, and check in again, fostering a culture of support and reducing social isolation. Learn how to start a conversation and make a difference.

History of Are You Okay Day

In 1995, Barry Larkin’s su***de left his family and friends in deep grief and with unanswered questions. In 2009, his son Gavin Larkin chose to do something about his father’s su***de. He came up with just one question to honor his father and prevent more su***des: “Are you okay?” Gavin and a few of his friends decided to turn this into a national campaign. From this realization and with their expertise and passion, R U OK? was born.

Gavin died of cancer in 2011 but truly held on to the belief that a conversation could change a life. His legacy is now a national conversation movement. R U OK? is a harm and su***de prevention charity that encourages people to have conversations that can help others and themselves navigate the difficult times in their lives. In 2011, a documentary was made on the extraordinary story behind R U OK?

R U OK? focuses on building the motivation, confidence, and skills of the help-giver, especially in quickly recognizing suicidal ideations. The organization contributes to su***de prevention efforts by encouraging people to invest more time in their relationships and build an informal support network — friends, family, and colleagues. It is more about developing one’s skills as a helper than it is asking for help when you need it. Are You Okay Day also tries to remove the stigma of mental illnesses.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Christoph Nolte on Unsplash

Did you know? World Duchenne Awareness Day mobilizes global communities every September 7. This vital day aims to amplif...
09/07/2026

Did you know? World Duchenne Awareness Day mobilizes global communities every September 7. This vital day aims to amplify understanding of Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy, devastating genetic conditions that severely impact daily life. Join the movement to support research, advocate for better care, and empower affected individuals and their families.

History of World Duchenne Awareness Day

The Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, also known as D.M.D., was named after Dr. Duchenne de Boulogne. This was because he was one of the first to report a case of D.M.D. and went on to study it in depth for years after that. In addition to describing the progressive muscle weakness in D.M.D. patients, he also discovered the connection between the muscle and the brain and concurred that D.M.D. also resulted in the impairment of the brain in its patients. It was his findings that brought this information to light for doctors in other countries.

Nearly a century later, Dr. Eric Hoffman and Dr. Louis Kunkel found that D.M.D. was caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Initially, there was only basic care provided for D.M.D. patients and the only option upon diagnosis was to ensure they were loved and looked after at home as there was nothing that could be done medically. In certain cases, non-invasive ventilation was used and this use of respiratory support increased life expectancy greatly.

Cardiac abnormalities were usually treated when they became symptomatic, but since 2007, an increasing number of individuals have been treated with ACE inhibitors as a preventative measure. The use of ACE inhibitors as a preventative measure is now part of the current standard of therapy. D.M.D. is a rare but dire genetic disease and since 2014, September 7th of every year has been dedicated to the awareness of it. World Duchenne Awareness Day is observed worldwide to let everyone know what D.M.D. is and what we can do about it.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Brecht Corbeel on Unsplash

Happy Read  A Book Day! National Read a Book Day calls all book lovers to indulge in their favorite hobby, guilt-free, e...
09/06/2026

Happy Read A Book Day! National Read a Book Day calls all book lovers to indulge in their favorite hobby, guilt-free, every September 6. Dive into a new world, revisit a classic, or discover a new author. Challenge your perspective, expand your knowledge, and share your literary adventures with others.

National Read a Book Day Hero

Johannes Gutenberg
Johannes Gutenberg, a German inventor and craftsman, developed the mechanical movable type printing press in the mid-15th century. His invention revolutionized the spread of knowledge and literacy across Europe, making books more affordable and accessible to the masses. The Gutenberg Bible, printed around 1455, is considered one of the earliest and most famous printed books. His work laid the foundation for mass communication and the modern publishing industry.

History of National Read a Book Day
While National Read a Book Day is believed to have originated in the US, other details of the day’s history are unclear. What is clear, though, is Americans’ love for books! And, for many, this is a welcomed day because 81% of us don’t feel we spend as much time reading as we would like. So, today is the perfect opportunity to set aside a little time to catch up on our “to read” list.

The popularity of book clubs points to our ongoing love for books. They date back to the 1600s with women’s Bible studies. But, in the last few decades, reading has taken on a much more social element influenced, in large part, by Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club. Starting in 1996, Oprah’s Book Club recommended 70 books contributing to over $55 million in sales and has been credited with inspiring millions of people to read books.

Over 74% of Americans have read at least one book in the last 12 months. Sure, the busyness of life definitely gets in the way of our reading pursuits with many other activities competing for our time. Luckily, electronic platforms have made it easier for us to read on the go. Almost 20% of books consumed are now via electronic platforms. Whatever format you prefer, grab or download the book on the top of your stack and dive in!

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Blaz Photo on Unsplash

National Hummingbird Day takes flight on the first Saturday of September each year, celebrating these remarkable, jewel-...
09/05/2026

National Hummingbird Day takes flight on the first Saturday of September each year, celebrating these remarkable, jewel-toned birds. Use this opportunity to learn about their vital role as pollinators and the challenges they face. Discover actionable steps you can take to support hummingbird conservation and create a welcoming environment for them in your own backyard.

History of National Hummingbird Day

The historical evolution of Hummingbirds has not been traced to any verifiable or scientifically researched source. Their first public sighting was published in a journal by a French explorer on his travels to Brazil. Their ability to have survived millions of years must have been difficult due to their size and structure. Hummingbirds, as beautiful and precious as they are, are only found in The Americas, especially in North and South America.

Hummingbirds are those small colorful birds distinguished by their ability to hover mid-air rapidly flapping their wings – which produces the humming sound they are characteristically known for. They are attracted to flowering plants, especially deep-throated flowers, and feed on the nectar for survival. Their reliance on nectar has helped the development of new hummingbird species influenced by the changes in the flowers. The number of species is still growing, but about 360 species of Hummingbirds currently exist. Even with their aggressive nature, as many as 25 different pieces of Hummingbirds can survive and co-exist in the same place. The hummingbird’s size makes them susceptible to being preyed upon or caught in dangerous situations that could be man-made or natural. Some of these threats are pesticides, bad weather, big insects or predators, loss of habitat, and bad feeders, among others.

Even though these creatures have survived a long time without the direct and active intervention or help of man, this is currently changing as more information is being gathered on their vulnerability and threats to their survival. National Hummingbird Day exists to celebrate these beautiful flying creatures. It recognizes their importance in pollinating our flowers and identifies threats and situations that are harmful to them. It also encourages safer practices that will ensure their survival.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Dulcey Lima on Unsplash

Janmashtami arrives on September 4, 2026, marking the joyous birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishn...
09/04/2026

Janmashtami arrives on September 4, 2026, marking the joyous birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This significant Hindu festival is celebrated with immense devotion, fasting, and elaborate decorations. Join millions worldwide in prayers, cultural programs, and the breaking of the Dahi Handi.

History of Janmashtami

Lord Krishna was born at Mathura on the eighth day of the Bhadrapada month’s dark fortnight. He was the son of Devaki and Vasudeva. Mathura was ruled by Krishna’s uncle, King Kansa, who wished to kill his sister’s children since a prophecy said that the couple’s eighth son would bring Kansa’s demise. Kansa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva after the prophecy and was responsible for the deaths of their first six children. During the birth of their seventh child, Balram, the embryo mystically moved from Devaki’s womb to Princess Rohini’s. The palace fell silent when their eighth child, Krishna, was born. Vasudeva rescued the child and took him to Nand Baba and Yashodha’s residency in Vrindavan.

Vasudeva returned to the palace with a baby girl and delivered her to Kansa after the transaction. When the evil monarch attempted to slay the baby, she transformed into Goddess Durga and warned him of his doom. Krishna grew up in Vrindavan in this manner, eventually killing his uncle Kansa. Outside of India, around 80% of Nepal’s population identifies as Hindus and celebrates Krishna Janmashtami. They fast till midnight on Janmashtami to commemorate the festival.

The Janmashtami festival is celebrated by Hindus worldwide, not just in India. In Nepal and Bangladesh, for example, Janmashtami is a national holiday. In addition, Lord Krishna has been worshipped in Mauritius since the 18th century by ‘Jahazi Bhais,’ a group of identifiers from many castes.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by litoon dev on Unsplash

Do you love ginger cats? Ginger Cat Appreciation Day lights up the calendar every September 1, celebrating the distinct ...
09/01/2026

Do you love ginger cats? Ginger Cat Appreciation Day lights up the calendar every September 1, celebrating the distinct personalities and fiery coats of orange felines. Join fellow cat lovers in honoring these often-misunderstood, super-clingy, and always-ready-for-a-petting furballs. Share photos of your ginger companions, support local shelters, and spread the love for these unique cats.

History of Ginger Cat Appreciation Day

Oftentimes the turn we are least expectant to take ends up changing our lives. Such is the story of Chris Roy, a software developer turned animal rights activist. In 1997, Roy found a stray cat near his home. Out of pity, he carried the stray home and decided to foster him for a while. Little did he know how that runt of the litter would change the purpose of his life. Within weeks, Roy formed a special bond with the feline and gave him a permanent place in his house. The 14-pound tabby filled Roy’s day with warmth and belonging. Doobert, the name he gave to his ginger, lived for 17 years.

In 2014, Doobert’s death rocked the shores of Roy’s life and sucked him into deep corners of uncharted grief. Grappling with the loss of his beloved ginger, Roy dedicated the arrival of September 1 as Ginger Cat Appreciation Day. He also launched Doobert, an online app that connects rescue homes and animal shelters with volunteers throughout the world. Since 2014, Doobert has worked with over 1,200 organizations across North America and built a volunteer base of 27,000+ pet lovers and enthusiasts. By dedicating the day in memory of his cat, Roy aims to raise awareness about the divine duty of humans to look after our furry friends.

With the annual celebration of Ginger Cat Appreciation Day, we pledge to carry the loving spirit of Doobert with us and spread the message of animal welfare across the globe. Reach out to your local shelters, feed the strays of your community, and raise a toast to the amazing companionship that our pets provide us.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Amber Kipp on Unsplash

International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 serves as a crucial global call to action, remembering those lost to d...
08/31/2026

International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 serves as a crucial global call to action, remembering those lost to drug overdose and acknowledging the grief of families left behind. This day aims to reduce the pervasive stigma surrounding drug-related deaths and promote understanding of overdose prevention and support. Take action by educating yourself, sharing resources, and advocating for compassionate, evidence-based solutions.

History of International Overdose Awareness Day

The first International Overdose Awareness Day was commemorated 20 years ago. It was started by Sally J. Finn who was in St. Kilda, Melbourne at The Salvation Army. In the beginning, she gave this suggestion to her friend Peter Streker, who worked at the Community and Health Development Program in Australia. Both Finn and Streker wanted to highlight the consequences people face when someone close to them overdoses, resulting in either a critical state or death. Another objective was to attempt to reduce the apathy and stigma the general public had towards the overdose victims. Since its inception in 2001, the day has been noted by governments and official organizations. Special events and kits are prepared every year to welcome the day and achieve the goals related to it.

Overdose is described as taking too much of a substance, and in this case, the overdose is related to drugs. Overdosing on drugs can be deliberate or otherwise. People deliberately overdosing on drugs may do it due to suicidal tendencies, mental illnesses, or looking to achieve higher levels of intoxication. On the other hand, people, who overdose on drugs by mistake, may do so because of incorrect measurements. Whatever the case may be, the resulting consequences are faced by the people who are close to the victims. These effects are felt on socio-economic levels. The prejudice and stigma surrounding the topic make it hard for families and friends to overcome their grief. This also, inevitably, results in less awareness. What we as a society can do is talk about the overdose more openly, support people in their struggles, and continue to fight. Even if one person is saved at the end of the day, it is a victory to be celebrated.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Thorium on Unsplash

Did you know? The Anniversary of The Slovak National Uprising unites Slovaks every August 29 to remember the pivotal 194...
08/29/2026

Did you know? The Anniversary of The Slovak National Uprising unites Slovaks every August 29 to remember the pivotal 1944 resistance against N**i occupation. This day honors the courage of partisans and civilians who fought for freedom during World War II. Reflect on this crucial moment in history, learn about its heroes, and support organizations preserving its legacy.

History of Anniversary of The Slovak National Uprising

The genesis of the Slovak National Uprising can be traced to September 1938 when the Munich Agreement was signed. This agreement, which was signed by the European powers, effectively ceded Sudetenland — a territory of Czechoslovakia — to N**i Germany. Czechoslovakia agreed to this as a result of German military attacks and diplomatic pressure from the United Kingdom, France, and Italy.

Sudetenland, otherwise known as the Sudeten German territory, was included within the defined borders of Czechoslovakia when the country was newly formed in 1918. However, this was done without the consent of the Sudeten-based Germans, who were later accorded less consideration than the Czechs and Slovaks. By 1936, 60% of the unemployed people in Czechoslovakia were Germans. This was Germany’s apparent reason for claiming Sudetenland.

In June 1944, aided by Slovakia’s pro-N**i president, Jozef Tiso, German military forces began occupying Czechoslovakia. A resistance movement was formed by Czechoslovakia’s exiled government, deserters from the Slovak army, and other Slovak partisans. This uprising lasted for about two months until it was partially suppressed by Germany in October 1944.

In Slovakia, the uprising anniversary is not widely celebrated, as some view the uprising as a pro-communist movement. Catholic nationalists often condemn the uprising as a result of the fact that Jozef Tiso — who was president at the time — was also Catholic. However, in Bratislava, the country’s capital, some mark the occasion by placing wreaths on a memorial dedicated to the uprising.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Martin Katler on Unsplash

Address

Flagstaff, AZ

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Stillpoint Meditation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share