Photo:A participant locates a spot to hang her wish card.
December 4, Pasadena – The festive cheer is palpable as the year draws to a close. Embracing the holiday spirit, the Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in Pasadena actively engages in numerous celebratory events across the greater Los Angeles area.
On December 1, Tai Ji Men joined Downtown Alhambra's tree lighting ceremony, marking the season's commencement. Their presence promised to infuse warmth and community spirit into the festivities.
Photo :The exquisitely illuminated Christmas tree beckons attendees to capture memorable photos. Featured in the images are members of Tai Ji Men.
Following this event, Tai Ji Men is set to participate in the City of Arcadia’s Holiday Fair on December 9. On December 16 (Saturday) from 6-8 p.m, Tai Ji Men will host a Holiday Feast and Concert in its academy in Pasadena, offering an evening brimming with celebration, music, and community togetherness. All are cordially invited to partake in this joyous occasion.
Photo:Santa becomes a focal point, drawing participants to capture festive moments through photos. Members of Tai Ji Men also join in the holiday spirit, posing for a group photo alongside Santa.
During Downtown Alhambra's vibrant cultural blend on December 1, where families gleefully explored diverse booths alongside Santa photo sessions, a tree lighting ceremony, and live performances, the Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy introduced an additional heartwarming feature – the Wishing Trees.
Inspired by the World Prayer Day observed on October 16, the Wishing Trees served as a medium to encourage individuals to extend prayers for themselves, others, and the world, fostering a collective awakening of conscience. The belief in the power of consolidated prayers and conscientious actions echoed throughout the event.
The "Making a Wish" activity captivated both parents and children. With sincere intentions, wishes were written and hung on trees lit with gentle lights. Attendees took moments to read these wishes. Touched by the heartfelt sentiments, many joined in, expressing their hopes, fostering a feeling of unity and optimism as they attached their wishes to the trees, capturing the moment in photos while envisioning the realization of their aspirations.
Photo : young child carefully pens down his heartfelt wish.
The activity’s success was apparent with an impressive total of 202 wishes gathered throughout the night, with attendees returning to add more wishes for the world, their families, or themselves.
Categorized into four sections – prayers for the world, families, personal aspirations, and unclassified wishes – these wishes reflected the diverse array of hopes and dreams within the community. Notably, more than half of the wishes were for global well-being, while a substantial portion focused on personal goals. A significant section encompassed hopes for familial happiness, while unclassified wishes added an element of unpredictability and spontaneity to the event.
Tai Ji Men's participation not only added enchantment to the evening but also fostered a sense of collective goodwill and positive aspirations within the community.
Photo:Children express their wishes thoughtfully in writing.
Wishes for the World: Majority of wishes revolved around universal themes of love, world peace, and the cessation of conflicts, reflecting the urgent needs of today's tumultuous world. Some participants extended their prayers for justice, while a poignant wish was made for the welfare of stray kittens.
Wishes for Families and Friends: Wishes for familial happiness and harmonious relationships took center stage in this category. Notably, two children expressed their longing for their departed grandmothers, honoring the lasting impact of those cherished moments.
Personal Aspirations: Driven by ambition, students sought blessings for academic success, aspiring to excel in studies or secure admission to prestigious colleges. A child wished for a magical visit to Disneyland, while young mothers expressed hopes for expanding their families.
Unclassified Wishes: These imaginative wishes stemmed from children, conveyed through artistic expressions, adding creativity and spontaneity to the collection, reflecting the untamed dreams of younger participants.
Photo:A participant locates a spot to hang her wish card.
The diverse array of wishes showcased the community's collective yearning for positive change and personal fulfillment. Tai Ji Men's initiative in providing a platform for such heartfelt expressions contributed to fostering a warm and inclusive atmosphere at the Downtown Alhambra event.
Photo :Tai Ji Men members engage in qigong practices to enhance their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, simultaneously radiating positive energy to contribute to global harmony.
About Tai Ji Men
Tai Ji Men is an international, non-profit cultural organization dedicated to preserving Tai Ji Men culture and promoting the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of people worldwide. Starting in the year 2000, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the head of Tai Ji Men, established two Tai Ji Men Academies in California. This year, in October, Dr. Hong hosted the inauguration of two more new academies, one in Santa Clara and the other in Pasadena.
Over an extended period, Dr. Hong has led members of Tai Ji Men and the Federation of World Peace and Love to take on self-funded tours across six continents to promote a culture of peace rooted in love and conscience. Dr. Hong played a pivotal role in the United Nations’ adoption of the International Day of Conscience and received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the office of President Joe Biden in March of this year. This award recognized the 1.2 million hours that Dr. Hong and members of the Federation of World Peace and Love have dedicated to the nation.
About GPDN - Global People Daily News
GPDN (Global People Daily News, https://www.globalpeopledailynews.com/) is an independent non-profit web media organization based in Pasadena, California. Our mission is to serve as a beacon of positivity, connecting with people around the world through the dissemination of good news.