The Holiday Spirit

The holiday season is now upon us once again. For most Americans, this means celebrating Christmas, even if they aren't Christian. And along with that comes holiday shopping. This is where the "rubber meets the road", so to speak.

Every year at this time, I marvel at people's attitudes. Short tempers, rude behavior, belligerent exchanges, fights over parking spaces and more. It never ceases to amaze me that so many celebrate the birth of one who sacrificed his life to preach love and compassion by acting in complete opposition to those ideals.

This year, I'd like to ask you to really think about that. Keep the purpose underpinning all that shopping in mind as you navigate the malls. Remember what it's all supposed to be about.

When others are in a rush, all aggravated, remember to offer a smile backed by understanding instead of rising up to match their frustration.

When it's your turn to be checked out, remember that the poor soul behind the counter is a person, too, and treat them the way you'd want to be treated if you were the one having to deal with eleventy-twelve rude shoppers an hour. Smile at them and say, "it's ok. Take a deep breath. Then, take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere."

When someone verbally lashes out at you, try responding with compassion. Say to them, "I'm sorry you're having such a tough holiday season. I hope it gets better for you."

In other words, really get into the holiday spirit. Then spread some of that spirit to those who so clearly demonstrate that they need it.

I think that, if you try it, you'll find yourself in a different world entirely.

Happy Thanksgiving

I would like to take a minute to offer my best wishes to all for a wonderful - and meaningful - Thanksgiving.

By "wonderful", I mean that I hope you have a great day, filled with good food, good friends and family.

By "meaningful", I mean that I hope you take the time to actually consider your life and be thankful for the good things about it.

Do you have a roof over your head? Be thankful.

Do you have food to eat, clothes to wear? Be thankful.

Do you have a job? Be thankful.

Someone once said that "[h]appiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have." So take a moment today to appreciate the good things in your life. And be thankful.

Change

The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.
Charles Du Bos

Once we've learned a certain way of behaving, we have a hard time changing. Oh, we don't mind changing external things: jobs, locations, clothes. But we have a hard time effecting change within ourselves. We don't like admitting that we could do something different, something better, than what we are doing now.

I am just as guilty as anyone of having difficulty making changes in myself. There are times when it flat-out unnerves me to consider changing. There are times when a friend points out something about me that could be better, and it hurts my pride. But part of being a better person each day is to recognize the things about ourselves that could use some improvement, and then working on changing what is wrong, what could be better.

When I'm objective about it, I can see there are things I could do better, ways that I can improve myself and be a better person. It has taken me a long time to learn that I don't have to beat myself up - that, instead, I can acknowledge my fault and commit to doing something positive about it. And I'm still working on this one.

I know that I can be a better person, a better version of me. Changing for the better isn't about "pretending" to be something you aren't. It's about working to be something better than you currently are. And I know that when my friends find the courage to point out something about me that could use improvement, they are doing so because they care.

Today, with this post, I am acknowledging that there are things about myself that I want to make better. I am saying Thank You to those who've had the courage to tell me things that may not be easy to say.

Small Things, Great Love

Mother Teresa said, "We can do no great things; only small things with great love." How true that only a very, very few of us will achieve truly great things. But we can certainly change our little corner of the world for the better. And that can be a great thing!

Each small act of kindness, each little display of compassion, each quiet smile, helping hand or kind word. . . these are the things that make our world a better place. This is how you do small things with great love.

Just think how much better our world would be if each of us chose to do small things with great love. Every one of us. Every day. Every chance we get.

Note: My sincere thanks to theladybug for reminding me of Mother Teresa's words. And for sharing with me a unique and wonderful outlook on this subject.

Still Catching Up

I just wanted to take a minute to let everyone know I'm still alive. Things have been a bit crazy lately but are finally settling down somewhat. I've now got new transportation...after my old van breaking down yet again. It's nice to have dependable and decent looking transportation. Nothing fancy, but it fits my needs and that's all I wanted. I don't really go in for "showy" vehicles much.

Anyway, I hope to get back to regular posts this weekend. Look for something new and worthwhile no later than Sunday. And thanks for sticking with me.