Alka's Angle

 This Sunday will be the first Sunday of May and the beginning of Asian Heritage Month. Asia is a huge continent with many countries and cultures- reflecting also in the 22 million people that identify as Asian American in the United States. According to pew research, the people identified as Asian Americans in the US come from more than 20 countries in East and Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, each with unique histories, cultures, languages and other characteristics. A few facts about Asian Americans:

Today. April 22nd is observed as Earth Day, every year by people around the globe, in an effort to promote awareness for the environment’s health. We all know the damage we have done to our planet and will continue if we do not try to change our ways of being and do what we can lower our footprint. Did you know -

As I write this, I am also watching the Historic Confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black female justice to the Supreme Court. I am reminded that last year Kamala Harris, of Black and Asian heritage was sworn in as the Vice President of the United States of America. Thirteen years ago Barack Obama became the President of this country and made history as the first Black person to be elected to this office.

Today is the first day of April - April 1st, also known as ‘April Fools Day,’ the day when folk, all around the world, play tricks on each other, but does anyone know how this day started? Interestingly no one seems to know how, when or where it started. There are many speculations but among all of that, one thing we do know is that April Fools Day dates back to at least renaissance Europe, but it may have originated long before then.

I listened to a Ted talk in preparation for this week’s sermon. In her talk titled “The Two Kinds of Stories We Tell Ourselves” Emily Esfahani Smith said chasing happiness can make people unhappy! I am sure this statement stopped you in your tracks - I know it did me.