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Stillpoint Meditation, Flagstaff, AZ (2025)

09/18/2025

Happy Air Force Day! U.S. Air Force Day is commemorated yearly on September 18, celebrating the birth of this very important organization. The U.S. military is one of the most advanced in the world. As soon as airplanes were invented, the U.S. military bought its first plane and utilized this revolutionary invention. Since then, many advancements have been made. This holiday celebrates the day the U.S. Air Force became an independent organization and recognizes the many accomplishments the USAF has made. Most importantly, this day honors the sacrifices of many and raises awareness of the importance of national security to our freedom.

History of U.S. Air Force Day

The first successful airplane was invented in 1903 and the U.S. military bought its first aircraft only six years later. Envisioning great success for their new invention, the U.S. Signal Corps established the first-ever military aviation organization, the Aeronautical Division, in 1907. However, the Aeronautical Division was too small and inadequate when it came to aerial combat years later. It became evident after the hardships of World War II that airpower would become even more crucial in the coming years. It was then that the National Security Act of 1947 reorganized the U.S. military and intelligence agencies, making the Air Force an independent organization.

The U.S. Air Force Day was first introduced by President Harry Truman on August 1, 1947. This was done to recognize the personnel of the fearless U.S. Air Force and all who have maintained and developed the nation’s air strength. This holiday was initially celebrated on August 1 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps. However, on September 18, the U.S. Air Force was established as a separate branch of the US Armed Forces and this holiday received a new date.

This day aims to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of national security as well as show appreciation for those risking their lives to protect the country and maintain its prosperity.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Owen Kemp on Unsplash

09/17/2025

Join us every Thursday - Drop into Mindfulness!
http://www.StillpointMeditation.weebly.com/

An open meditation space with instruction, and guided and silent meditation, Thursdays 6:30–8:15 pm, Mountain Standard time.
These Zoom sessions are free and open to everyone. Feel free to come and go at any time - it isn't necessary to remain for the entire session. For meditation instruction, please arrive at 6:30; guided meditation at 7:00; and silent sitting from 7:25-8:15 (All times MST, GMT-7)
Beginners welcome. Instruction and meditation guidance is always available.
Mindfulness Meditation has its roots in early Buddhism. While some of our discussion draws from Buddhist teaching, the practice of mindfulness is found in some form in most world religions. We are not a religious group, and followers of any faith or of none are equally welcome.
If you wish to donate to support ongoing instruction, you may do so here with PayPal, or use Venmo to -Owen

09/16/2025

Did you know? National Tattoo Story Day is on September 16 and we are ready to inspire you to get your body inked! Tattoos are an ancient form of body art that has lasted long enough for us to take an interest in and practice it. Did you know that aside from the national day for celebrating the art of tattooing, July 17, National Tattoo Story Day has been observed annually since 2015 as a day dedicated to the stories behind our tattoos? Now you know!

History of National Tattoo Story Day

National Tattoo Story Day is celebrated annually on September 16 to commemorate the stories that led to our inking. The tattoo train is one a lot of people still get nervous to board, making it important to celebrate the courage of the few who broke out of that mental shackle to finally get an engraving of art on their body.

Tattoos are also usually an expression of a person’s story. Sometimes even a prediction of where they are headed in life. They serve an important part in cultures across the world and continue to evolve with modern usage. And unlike other art forms, their permanent nature makes them perfect for etching memories that remain dear and indispensable to us!

Historically, tattoos can be purely decorative, symbolic, or pictorial depicting a thing or an emotion on a person’s body.
In the U.S. tattoo exploded in the 1940s and Norman Keith Collins, AKA Sailor Jerry, played a huge role in establishing what is now known as the American Traditional way of tattooing.

The Hawai -based war veteran combined what he learned from the American, European, and Japanese ways of tattooing to establish a whole new style that’s now known as the American Traditional way of tattooing.

Statistic-wise, according to the result of a survey conducted by Statista, as many as 140 million Americans representing 44% of the people that answered yes when asked if they have one or more tattoos, have a tattoo!

Although it appears that many people have tattoos in the United States, it is still considered an act of rebellion to get one especially considering that according to the same survey’s report, around three to 17 million people have a tattoo around their face region with the tear-drop tattoo being one of the most popular tattoos people get.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by benjamin lehman on Unsplash

09/14/2025

Happy Sober Day! National Sober Day occurs annually on September 14, and the day forms a part of National Sober Month. This day was founded in 2019 by ‘Real Aligned Women’ who identify themselves as a ‘sisterhood for sobriety. This initiative is also sponsored by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This holiday can be about renewing one’s commitment to staying sober or marking the start of a journey to getting sober. Millions of people suffer from substance abuse, and this day reminds them that they are supported and that they are not alone in their struggles.

History of National Sober Day

Alcohol is not only difficult to quit but one of the most widely abused substances in the world with many deaths attributed to it every year. Alcohol has a long history in our society and has been a part of human culture for years. In the past, it was mainly made by fermenting grains, fruit juice, and honey. Evidence of fermented beverages can be found in ancient Chinese, Egyptian, and Indian histories.

In these early societies, the beverage was consumed for a variety of reasons — for its nutritional value, as a pain reliever, and as part of religious ceremonies. During the 16th century alcohol, specifically ‘spirits,’ were considered medicinal.

In the 18th century, Britain passed a law encouraging the use of grain for distilling spirits. The law led to the rise in the availability of cheap spirits. It spiked gin consumption which reached 18 million gallons, and alcoholism became widespread.

In the 19th century, there was a change of mindset and the temperance of the time pushed the idea of moderation in alcohol consumption — which ultimately became a push for total prohibition. The U.S. passed a law prohibiting the manufacture, sale, import, and export of intoxicating liquors. It resulted in a boom of illegal alcohol trading forcing the cancellation of the prohibition of alcohol.

Today alcohol has little to no nutritional value. Medically alcohol is only used as a solvent for water-insoluble compounds. In most religious ceremonies alcohol is merely symbolic. More than 17 million American adults are suffering from alcohol use disorder. Alcohol causes approximately 88,000 deaths a year, and 40% of all car accident deaths in the U.S. involve alcohol. This National Sober Day, let us all join hands to: “Celebrate sober life and bring awareness to addiction.”

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by nash*tha rafiq on Unsplash

09/12/2025

Did you know? National Police Woman Day is celebrated each year on September 12. The day acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of female police officers who enforce law and order around the country. Today only roughly 10% of the police force in the United States is made up of women. National Police Woman Day hopes to rectify that by encouraging more women to join the service. Campaigns and events are organized to urge more women to take up law enforcement roles. Along with expressing gratitude to these officers, the day also hopes for a future where law enforcement bodies will have stronger female representation.

History of National Police Woman Day

The first policewoman in the United States was most likely Marie Owens. She was hired by the Chicago Police Department in 1891. Although police matrons were not a rare sight in prisons in New York City prior to this, they lacked the authority to arrest as Owens did. Alice Wells was hired by the Los Angeles police department in 1910 and was the first American-born woman police officer in the United States. Unlike Wells, Owens had been born in Canada.

In 1854, the first police matrons were hired by New York City to search and guard female prisoners, but they were civilians with no law enforcement authority. The role became quite popular among women and many started applying for similar positions in various parts of the United States. In 1910, the Los Angeles Police Department appointed the first regularly rated policewomen, Alice Wells. Before her, matrons were seen as masculine and not very bright. Wells was a college graduate, a social worker, and had deliberately sought the position of a police officer. She soon became a pioneer in the national movement to have police departments hire women as officers. However, that did not really happen, and women were hired by quotas. This means they regularly faced discrimination, silent contempt, sexism at the workplace, and other double standards.

Several court cases were fought to reach equality of employment in police agencies. Cases such as Shpritzer v. Lang, Wells v. Civil Service Commission, and the Joanne Rossi case in Pennsylvania were the landmark ones. The most far-reaching case was the August 1971 class-action suit brought by Veragene Hardy against the City of Oakland Civil Service Board, which demanded a civil service classification for police officers with the Oakland Police Department that would be open to men and women on an equal basis. Today policewomen are involved in all aspects of police work.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Daniel Silva on Unsplash

09/11/2025

On September 11, Patriot Day gives all of us time to reflect on the devastating terror attacks that took nearly 3,000 lives. We commemorate those who we lost and give thanks to the brave first responders who put their lives on the line. Take a moment today to consider what we stand for as a nation and how we can work together to make the world a better place for all.

History of Patriot Day

It was a terrifying day when four planes were hijacked on September 11, 2001 (also known as nine-eleven). The hijackers flew three planes into iconic buildings: the Pentagon in Washington DC and the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York. The fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after the plane passengers fought the hijackers. Nobody is certain where it was supposed to crash, but some people believe it was headed for the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland, or one of several nuclear power plants along the eastern seaboard.

The impact of this attack was devastating. Around 3,000 lives were lost between plane passengers, those in the buildings that were struck, and front-line workers trying to save people. It was the biggest act of terrorism ever in the United States. Since then, airplane security has become stricter in many countries as they attempt to avoid a future terrorist attack like nine-eleven.

The majority of lives that were people that worked in the Twin Towers, especially the floors above the collision point as people were trapped and stranded at the top of the burning skyscraper. 411 men and women working in emergency services lost their lives trying to fight fires and rescue people from the buildings. It was a heartbreaking attack, which is why Patriot Day was proclaimed by President George W. Bush and is recognized every year on September 11.

On Patriot Day, U.S. flags are lowered halfway, and there is a country-wide moment of silence at 8:46 am (Eastern Daylight Time), which is when the first plane crashed into one of the Twin Towers. Although the attacks were in the U.S., Patriot Day is recognized worldwide as the news devastated and impacted people all over.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Josh McCausland on Unsplash

09/09/2025

Happy Wonderful Weirdos Day! Wonderful Weirdos Day is celebrated across America on September 9. There’s nothing as unexciting as being predictable and boring. But thankfully for all of us, we all have some weird traits or characteristics. This weirdness is exactly what makes us unique! Don’t be shy to explore your weirdness on Wonderful Weirdos Day. Be creative and own it. You will be surprised to find how life-changing self-acceptance can be. Happy Wonderful Weirdos Day to all the wonderful weirdos who make our lives all the more interesting. What are the weirdest ways you can think of to celebrate the day?

History of Wonderful Weirdos Day

It’s no surprise that we celebrate our weirdness since weirdos have existed for as long as humans have been around. We only have to be a little bit different than everyone else, and just like that, congratulations, you are a weirdo!

But weirdos have not always been thought of as wonderful or even accepted by society. Think of the Salem witch trials. An event that only lasted a year is still spoken about to this day. During these trials, people who were suspected of witchcraft were accused of guilty and many of them were executed. Even the slightest unusual behavior becomes heavily scrutinized, the result of which is often fatal! Throughout history, society has not necessarily been kind to those who have deviated from acceptable behavior.

It wasn’t until the year 2000, when a few residents of Austin, Texas, decided that there should be a day for the celebration of our collective weirdness. The day was initially known as Keep Austin Weird, but the name was changed eventually. The day was sponsored by Tom Roy, but today many people celebrate it on their own. Wonderful Weirdos Day is not an official celebration nor is it a holiday, but people celebrate the day with much enthusiasm anyway, because it’s a day we all feel accepted and understood just the way we are! Wonderful Weirdos Day is also the day to pause and ask yourself if someone is truly weird or if they are just a little different from you!

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by William Warby on Unsplash

09/08/2025

Happy Literacy Day! International Literacy Day takes place on September 8 every year to raise awareness and concern for literacy problems that exist within our own local communities as well as globally. International Literacy Day was founded by proclamation of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, in 1966 “to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights.” International Literacy Day brings ownership of the challenges of illiteracy back home to local communities where literacy begins, one person at a time. Observe this day by utilizing resources such as Scholaroo — a platform that provides information on scholarships from around the world.

History of International Literacy Day

Although much progress has been made in improving literacy rates in the more than fifty years since the first International Literacy Day, illiteracy remains a global problem. There are thought to be more than 750 million adults around the world who cannot read. The scourge of Illiteracy spares no nation or culture on earth, including the United States, where an estimated 32 million American adults are illiterate.

What exactly is literacy? Miriam-Webster Dictionary defines literacy as “the quality or state of being literate: educated…able to read and write.” Because you are able to read this post and no doubt spend a lot of time reading online, it may seem incredulous to learn there are people living and working in your own community who not only cannot read this post, but are unable to read a book, a restaurant menu, a road sign, a voting ballot, an instruction manual, a prescription bottle label, or a cereal box.

Can you imagine navigating modern-day life without the basic ability to read and write? Wiping out illiteracy in every local community around the world is what International Literacy Day is all about.

International Literacy Day was first conceived at the “World Conference of Ministers of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy” held in Tehran, Iran in 1965. The following year UNESCO took the lead and declared September 8 as International Literacy Day, with the primary purpose being “…to remind the international community of the importance of literacy for individuals, communities and societies, and the need for intensified efforts towards more literate societies.” One year later, the global community accepted the challenge of ending illiteracy by participating in the first International Literacy Day.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Iñaki del Olmo on Unsplash

09/06/2025

Do you love reading? National Read a Book Day on September 6 calls all book lovers to indulge in their favorite hobby, guilt-free. Bringing new worlds to life, books enlighten us and transport us on exciting adventures. They can challenge our perspectives on the human experience in ways unmatched by other media. In a world deluged by technology, National Read a Book Day encourages us to silence the noise and turn the pages for a while.

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 Olena Bohovyk on Unsplash

09/05/2025

Did you know? People around the U.S. celebrate National Shrink Day each year on September 5 and the special bond we have come to develop with our psychiatrists and therapists. The day reminds us of the contribution therapists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and psychologists make to our society. These caring individuals play a meaningful role in our communities, making them deserving of praise. The holiday was created as an homage to Bob Newhart, who played a psychiatrist on the T.V. series “The Bob Newhart Show.”

History of National Shrink Day

Considering the principal role that psychologists and psychiatrists play in our daily lives, it is surprising to learn that these developments are relatively recent. Although ancient societies were interested in the philosophical study of psychology and human emotions, this was far from the specialized academic discipline that psychological studies constitute today. For example, in Ancient Egypt, scholars attempted to study mental disorders.

The earliest examples of academic psychological study can be traced back to the 19th century. Gustav Fechner and Wilhelm Wundt, German scientists and philosophers, developed the earliest systematic studies of the human psyche and established the first psychological research laboratory. The late 1800s saw a growing interest in psychology. During this period, Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist, began developing the earliest frameworks for psychoanalysis. His research later influenced the advent of speech-based therapy, which is widely applied today.

Throughout the 20th century, psychology, as a field, developed immensely, giving birth to several new specialties. Behavioral research particularly became an increasingly studied subject, with several grants across the U.S. dedicated to this form of study. It was also around the earliest decades of the 20th century that psychology became an officially recognized academic discipline, with dedicated university courses and degrees.

From the second half of the 20th century onwards, psychological and psychiatric practices became increasingly popular. Eventually, psychology and related disciplines become part of general medicine, with dedicated programs in schools, the military, and several governmental and private institutions. Attention to mental health is now quite important in our daily lives, which attests to the significance of a psychologist’s work.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

09/04/2025

Happy Wildlife Day! America marks National Wildlife Day on September 4. It’s an opportunity for everyone to step back, take a deep breath and think about all that surrounds us. It inspiring to consider preservation and conservation efforts that work to improve the natural world. There remains so much to learn. As Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “In wildness is the preservation of the world.” We couldn’t agree more.

How to Observe National Wildlife Day
Take a hike!
Those of us fortunate enough to live close to the "wildness" that Thoreau wrote about with such startling clarity should use National Wildlife Day as a motivator to get out and about — and to explore the great outdoors.

Donate to conservation groups
Without the hard work of conservation groups, much of what we love about wildlife and natural habitats would likely be lost forever.

Clean this place up!
Many communities have organizations dedicated to picking up all the trash left behind. Find out when and where they'll be at work, and join them in cleaning up your town.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Scott Carroll on Unsplash

09/01/2025

Did you know? National Recovery Month is observed every year in September to promote and find new evidence-based treatments for patients battling addiction. This month also focuses on recovery practices and the need for a strong recovery community and service providers who help people undergoing recovery. Did you know that in 2020, the federal government gave the reins to the recovery community to sponsor and manage Recovery Month? Now “Faces & Voices of Recovery” is hosting the recovery month website, managing social media, and taking care of central locations for all events.

History of National Recovery Month

First known aid for the recovery of addicts was the “Alcoholic Mutual Aid” society, in which sobriety circles provided early recovery from the 1750s to the early 1800s. Initially, these groups comprised Native American tribes, and these tribes used native healing practices to treat alcoholism. In 1784, “Benjamin Rush,” a physician, argued that alcoholism is a disease that must be treated. He was committed to educating the public about the hazards of alcohol, and his written works helped launch the temperance movement. By the 1850s, lodging homes and homes for the fallen had emerged to provide non-medical detoxification, seclusion from drinking cultures, and the formation of sober fellowships for addicts. In the 1850s, one of the earliest inebriate houses opened in Boston, designed after state-run lunatic asylums.

Wilson and Dr. Bob, former alcoholics in the 1930s who could not sustain abstinence, formed the Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) in 1935. In 1939, the renowned blue book “Alcoholics Anonymous” was released. In 1950, A.A. membership surpassed 90,000, and the organization’s reach had expanded tremendously. The American Public Health Association awarded A.A. the Lasker Award in 1951. Halfway House Association was created in 1958 to provide safe, recovery-oriented accommodation for those addicted to drugs or alcohol. In 2002, the F.D.A. approved buprenorphine, a medication-assisted treatment, for clinical use for opioid addiction. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 mandated that insurance companies and group health plans provide mental health and substance use treatment and services with the same benefits as other medical care.

Information by Nationaltoday.com
Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

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