Julie-Anne Kinnear Celebrant

24/12/2024

Love this explanation of midwinter.

I'm definitely up for the hibernation, quiet time to reflect, little twinkling lights to light up the darkness, staring at the flames of the fire and eating winter warming stews 🔥

It's a pity it is interrupted by maniacal shopping for stuff we don't need and can't afford.

Let's slow down, look out for eachother, help folk who are struggling through the darkness and cold, appreciate what we do have and share some of it with others.

I love the illustration of this post 💜

"The winter solstice time is no longer celebrated as it once was, with the understanding that this is a period of descent and rest, of going within our homes, within ourselves, and taking in all that we have been through, all that has passed in this full year which is coming to a close... like nature and the animal kingdom around us, this time of hibernation is so necessary for our tired limbs, our burdened minds.
..the natural tug to go inwards as nearly all creatures are doing is strong and the weather so bitter that people are left feeling that winter is hard because, for those of us without burning fires and big festive families, it can be lonely and isolating. Whereas winter is kind, it points us in its quiet, soft way towards our inner self, this annual time of peace and reflection, embracing the darkness and forgiving, accepting, and loving embracing goodbye the past year.

Winter takes away the distractions, the buzz, and presents us with the perfect time to rest and withdraw into a womb-like love, bringing fire & light to our hearth.
. and then, just around the corner the new year will begin again, and like a seed planted deep in the earth, we will all rise with renewed energy once again to dance in the sunlight.

Life is a gift💗"
~author unknown
Art by Jessica Boehman

http://www.jessicaboehman.com/illustrations.html

11/12/2024

A portion of the fee for every legal marriage ceremony conducted by a Fuze Celebrant goes to our selected charities - Beatson Cancer Charity and Alzheimer Scotland 💜

🎉 Celebrating an Incredible Quarter 3 with The Fuze Foundation! 🎉

Morag Webster, Chair of The Fuze Foundation, and George McLean, Fuze Brand Ambassador, had the pleasure of meeting with our amazing charity representatives:

💛 Charlene Low, Regional Fundraising Manager from Beatson Cancer Charity
💜 Emma Russell, Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator from Alzheimer Scotland

Together, they revealed our Fuze Foundation Quarter 3 give-back amounts as:
💛 £1,436 for Beatson Cancer Charity
💜 £400 for Alzheimer Scotland

This brings our running total for March 2024 to February 2025 to an incredible £9,182 – and with 3 months still to go, we’re excited to see how much more we can add! 🏅

💡 This quarter’s donations include:

✨ £400 donated to each charity from legal humanist wedding fees.

✨ An extra £1,036 raised through the fantastic efforts of Sam Conroy, one of our Fuze Ceremonies celebrants, who took part in several running events to support Beatson Cancer Charity. 🏃‍♂️💪

On 14th February 2024, we proudly announced Beatson Cancer Charity and Alzheimer Scotland as our charity partners for the second year running. Every couple choosing a Fuze celebrant for their wedding contributes to this ongoing support, making their special day even more meaningful. 💒

A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved – from our couples and celebrants to fundraisers and supporters. Let’s keep this incredible momentum going as we head into the final months of the year! 💕

01/11/2024

Yup

My research and my life have taught me that regret is one of our most powerful emotional reminders that reflection, change, and growth are necessary. In our research, regret emerged as a function of empathy. And, when used constructively, it’s a call to courage and a path toward wisdom.

One of the most powerful lines about regret comes from George Saunders’s 2013 commencement address at Syracuse University.

Saunders talked about how when he was a child, a young girl was teased at his school and, although he didn’t tease her and even defended her a little, he still thought about it. He said:

“So here’s something I know to be true, although it’s a little corny, and I don’t quite know what to do with it: What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded . . . sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.”

The idea that regret is a fair but tough teacher can really p**s people off. “No regrets” has become synonymous with daring and adventure, but I disagree. The idea of “no regrets” doesn’t mean living with courage, it means living without reflection. To live without regret is to believe we have nothing to learn, no amends to make, and no opportunity to be braver with our lives.

In our work, we find that what we regret most are our failures of courage, whether it’s the courage to be kinder, to show up, to say how we feel, to set boundaries, to be good to ourselves, to say yes to something scary. Regret has taught me that living outside my values is not tenable for me.

Regrets about not taking chances have made me braver. Regrets about shaming or blaming people I care about have made me more thoughtful.

Sometimes the most uncomfortable learning is the most powerful.

Daniel Pink

https://apple.co/3NKlMWX

01/11/2024

The Festival takes place across Scotland 1-7 November.

It is a chance to remember, celebrate, and tell stories of people who've died that remain important to us.

Find out more and get involved here: http://toabsentfriends.org.uk

27/10/2024

Local 💜

✳️🔜 less than 1 week to go until our fundraiser double header ✳️

If you don’t have your fashion show ticket yet then please get it as soon as possible so we can gauge numbers for the evening 🎟️

Or why not make a day of it and come along to our prize bingo in the afternoon as well. 🔴🔵🟣🟡🟢

Please come along and support the pipe band and thank you for your continuing support 😃

21/10/2024

Telling the bees is a Western European tradition in which bees are told of important events, including deaths, births, marriages and departures and returns in the keeper's household. If the custom was omitted or forgotten and the bees were not "put into mourning" then it was believed a penalty would be paid, such as the bees leaving their hive, stopping the production of honey or dying.

The custom of "telling the bees" is a charming and ancient tradition where beekeepers inform their bees about significant events in their lives, such as deaths, births, marriages, and other major occurrences. This practice is believed to have its roots in Celtic mythology, where bees were seen as messengers between the human world and the spirit world. The presence of a bee after a death was thought to signify the soul leaving the body. The tradition became particularly prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries in Western Europe and the United States.
To tell the bees, the head of the household or the "goodwife" would approach the hives, gently knock to get the bees' attention, and then softly murmur the news in a solemn tone. This ritual was believed to keep the bees informed and prevent them from leaving the hive or dying. The custom underscores the deep connection and respect that people historically had for bees, viewing them as integral members of the household and community.

16/10/2024

🤍

There are places available on an upcoming EASE (End of Life Aid Skills for Everyone) course on the Isle of Mull.
This course will be delivered at An Roth, Craignure, over 2 days - 13 and 20 November from 10am-4pm.
Find out more about the course here: https://www.goodlifedeathgrief.org.uk/plan-illness-ease/
Space is limited. Book your free place by emailing [email protected].

02/10/2024

Having shared the feefo 5 star review, here's a couple of before and after pictures from that wedding - I changed out of my trainers for the actual ceremoy, promise 😉💜

02/10/2024

To the most lovely couple who travelled all the way from New Hampshire in August to get married at the magical Ossian Hall at The Hermitage Dunkeld, thank you for such a generous review. 💜

Great piping by Neil Henderson
Fantastic hosting by Lisa Bryson of NTS Hermitage

02/10/2024

Dundee!

A little memory from The BIG Dundee Wedding Exhibition a few weeks back with my fantastically brilliant colleague Julie-Anne Kinnear Celebrant

Our little team of Humanist Celebrants with Fuze Ceremonies do love a wedding blether, and love meeting couples planning or personalising their own weddings 💍

Even if we do sometimes forget to post about it ♥️

01/10/2024

Definitely going to see this before it's gone 💚

01/10/2024

Let's dance like no-one is watching 💃

25/09/2024

6 days left to apply. Go on, go on, go on.
It's a great role, volunteering in your local area, contributing to making a difference to children and young people by making decisions around support requirements where there are concerns about their welfare and safety. No prior knowledge or experience needed. Full training provided.

22/09/2024

22/09/2024

🧠 Dementia is not part of the natural ageing process.

Dementia affects the brain, making it harder to remember things or think as clearly as before. It's an umbrella term for over 100 different types of illnesses and disease symptoms. Symptoms of dementia may include memory loss and difficulties with day to day tasks, language and problem-solving.

Our charity partners Alzheimer Scotland provide information, support and dementia-friendly activities to help make sure nobody faces dementia alone.

The charity provide support and information to people with dementia, their carers and families, and campaign for the rights of people with dementia, funding vital dementia research.

World Alzheimer's Day is observed every 21st September toraise awareness and challenge stigma. Globally, dementia is one of the biggest challenges we face as human beings, with nearly 50 million people living with dementia worldwide.

To find out more about Dementia, how you can get involved, and how you can access support visit 👉 https://www.alzscot.org/

There is a network of Dementia Advisors employed by Alzheimer Scotland who work in local communities to support people with a diagnosis by giving advice and information.