Are you hosting a Halloween party (or thinking about it)? Do you have all your bases covered to accommodate people with different eating and drinking needs? What about potential environmental factors that could affect people with other special requirements? Have you considered any aspects that could affect people who didn't attend during and after? Listen to this episode to find out more tips for hosting a Halloween ( or really any party) that is inclusive and mindful of the aftermath.

In this episode, I discuss costumes and decoration choices to be considerate of and cultural appropriation. This episode is my opinion on the subject of insensitive Halloween costumes and decorations. Please note that as a white person, I can't speak for the groups mentioned that are affected by cultural appropriation, but I will try to shed some light on the subject to get others to think about their choices. There may be much more groups that are affected by this than I mentioned. I used some of the more notable examples of appropriation, but there are many more that I might explore in future episodes. While I believe in freedom of speech and expression, there are ways people cross the line without even thinking of it. The goal isn't to shame anyone, but to bring awareness to a sensitive topic. After all, no one wants to be that person at a party who brings down the vibe by being unintentionally offensive.

Children come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and abilities. For years there have been unspoken rules about the expectations of trick or treaters that in today's world are outdated and restrictive  What do blue buckets and teal pumpkins mean? Do you require children to say "Trick or Treat" if they come to your house for candy? Do you get mad if they don't say "Thank you" after? Is there an age cut-off you have for Trick or Treaters? What if children come to your door and don't have a costume? Some things to consider if such things occur. Also, for the chaperones of trick or treaters, how to prepare children for trick or treating and teaching gratitude during this holiday. 

With everything going on in the world at the moment, a lot of celebrations have been placed on hold. We have been gifted with space to reflect on happier times, as well as to reflect on our practices and how to be mindful of how our celebrating can affect other. This is more about opening up one's perspective and empathy rather than shaming or PC policing people. We must remember that over time, the rules of society have changed and some people benefit more from a calm and informative space rather than one that shames them or starts off with forcing them to take a defensive stance. In part 1 of our first to be continued episode, we start the discussion on how to be mindful in activity planning for Halloween festivities, such as parties and weddings.

Some quick tips and tricks on how to start your day to be more productive.

Welcome to The Enlightening Star Podcast, a companion piece to Enlighteningstar.com. In this short episode, your host, Star, explains her intention and topics you can expect to hear about in the future. Many topics will also have a complementary blog post. The podcast may provide more wiggle room for expansion and clarity that doesn't always translate well in text. I look forward to having you join me weekly and hopefully inspiring you to take whatever steps you need to make the most of your life.