A Month to Celebrate
The Lab Factory is about collaboration, co-working and co-existing together in one space. To do this successfully, we strive to understand each other. Different businesses with different points of views and different ways of doing things.
This kind of ethos needs to be carried forward in all parts of our community. When you understand someone’s view point well, you can support them better. And when someone has the support they need, innovative ideas that change our world into a better place, have a chance to flourish.
While Christmas, a traditionally Christian based festival is well known in Australia, there are many other festivals at this time of year. Gaining even a basic understanding these festivals can help us support our neighbours in our community so they to have an opportunity to flourish.
Hanukkah
Also known as the Festival of Lights, it is a Jewish celebration from anytime from late November to late December. The Hebrew word Hanukkah – meaning rededication – commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, More information on the history can be found here.
According to the story of Hanukkah, during the ancient rededication, there was only enough oil left in the lamp to keep the menorah burning for one day. However, miraculously, the flame continued to burn for 8 days until a fresh oil supply was able to be found. To celebrate this miracle, the menorah is displayed in the window and a new candle is lit each night in commemoration of the miracle. Delicious fried foods such as latkes and sufganiyot, are also a fun part of the Hanukkah tradition.
Kwanzaa
This is an African-American celebration held starting on the 26thDecember and lasts one week. It was created in 1966 to help African Americans reconnect with their African culture and history.
It is a perfect example of collaboration as it allows observers to bring together their Christmas celebrations while remembering their own heritage and culture. Christmas trees are regularly displayed alongside Kinaras, a candle holder used to represent the Seven Principles of Kwanza
Dhanu Sankranti
This two week Hindu celebration is where the sun enters the Sagittarius sun sign or dhanu rashi and marks the 9thmonth in the Hindu solar calendar.
It is celebrated by worshiping the Sun God Lord Surya, who is offered water and flowers early in the morning just after the sunrise to receive blessings.
It is famous in Orissa, India and locals bathe in sacred rivers such as the Godavari River, believing this will bring forth success. To read more about the street play that runs through an entire town, click here.
Bodhi Day
This day celebrates the day when Siddhartha Gautama sat underneath the Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment. Following intense meditation, he was able to see how everyone, and everything was connected and therefore, reached a state of enlightenment.
Buddhists celebrate this day by decorating a ficus religiosa tree in their homes. Much like a Christmas tree, reflective ornaments that represent the Three Jewels will adorn the tree and the day will be spent meditating on the life of Buddha. Special cookies shaped like Bodhi trees or their heart-shaped leaves are severed as part of the celebration.
At The Lab Factory, while we don’t claim to have reached a state of enlightenment, we do believe that when people and businesses are well connected and supported we all benefit. While we may not display menorahs or kinaras in the window or bathe in sacred rivers, we do embrace the diversity our Labbies bring to the work space. There is an old saying that says “a rising tide lifts all boats”. By understanding each other’s background, be it religion or business practices, we create a harmonious co-sharing work space where everyone is lifted up.
We are self-proclaimed lovers of food here at The Lab and as such we welcome any celebration that gives excuse to eat Jewish donuts or Bodhi Tree cookies!
If you would like to be part of our multifarious co-sharing office space and add your flavour to the mix,
we would love to hear from you so please Click Here.