What better way to begin my Cup o’ Kindness blog-advent-calendar . . . than with a toast!

But first . . . some background. Ever wonder how we ended up with our modern day practice of toasting? Well, there are conflicting tales, but lore tells us that toasting (in some form) has been around since ancient times when sacrificial libations were offered to the gods. Later tales claim that touching glasses allowed each drink to spill into all the others, easing fears of poisoning. And one of most common stories evolved from the 17th century when it was customary to float a piece of toast in the wine (apparently to “sop up” the vinegar present in most wines at the time) . . . which explains how “toasting” came to be called . . . “toasting!”

Whichever stories are true, the custom is universal, with toasts presented all over the world and in a myriad of languages – Cheers! Salud! L’chaim! Sláinte! Skål!  For the most part, the toasting tradition remains a similar – and familiar –  practice wherever you may be: gather your friends, grab a drink, clink the glasses, and make a proclamation.

Each Sunday (for the duration of the advent calendar), I’ll be offering a Cup o’ Kindness toast for all of us to share. I’ve asked some special guests to serve as my Toastmasters during the next few weeks, so watch for a variety of “voices” and styles when it comes to these toasts.

Today, Tom has agreed to serve as my first Toastmaster, and he’s put together a little toast that would be at home in any Irish pub. So grab a glass. Raise it high. And join me in this toast from Tom . . .

In days of yore we gathered for
To while away the time
And drink a cup ‘o kindness
For the sake of auld lang syne.

But now it seems ’tis not enough
In modern day society
So let’s drink a tub o’ kindness
For the sake of our anxiety.

— Tom Mulhern, December 2024

Sláinte!