Christmas Glow Stick

"Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart." - Washington Irving

So which type of holiday person are you? The "bah humbug" or the "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach" Ebenezer Scrooge from the Charles Dickens novel A Christmas Carol?

This time of year, hardly any one of us would say we are the "bah humbug" version. What with the many gifts and cards we gather and give to others, it would be hard to imagine we are anything like a Scrooge. We are giving gifts as proof, correct?

The thing we must consider is "we are giving out of cheer and love for others", without any expectation of a gift in return? Or are we giving as a way to either receive a gift in return or as a penance for having been a Scrooge the rest of the year?

Giving to others both of love, time or gifts can be very liberating. It has been shown in research from the field of health psychology, that one of the best ways to rid ourselves anger and grief is to actively help others.

Science supports the assertion that "giving help to others measurably reduces the giver's stress; improves health and well-being in surprising and powerful ways; renews our optimism about what is possible; helps us connect to family, friends, and lots of amazing people; allows the deep, profound joy of our humanity to flow through us and out into the world; and improves our sense of self-worth."

There will be a glow of something that seems undefinable, but is quite evident coming from you. The hurt, grief or other gets broken inside and a glow begins to shine from inside of you. It is revealed in your eyes, your smile and in your words.

Consider those glow sticks that are used in a variety of ways. What happens when you break the stick? Of course, it glows and becomes a bright and radiant light.

Take what brokeness you might have and be a light that shines upon others not only during the Christmas holiday season but throughout the year. And stay inspired my friends.

Christmas Rush

“I’m in no hurry: the sun and the moon aren’t, either. Nobody goes faster than the legs they have. If where I want to go is far away, I’m not there in an instant.”
― Alberto Caeiro

The author Leigh Hershkovich has written “In the rush of life, it is quite easy to forget what’s important. As cliche as this is, it’s easy to take life for granted when you don’t have time to focus properly. It is only when life diverts from the ‘plan’ that we suddenly take time to see what is really important.”

A poignant and true statement of how easily we get wrapped up in trying to create a life instead of living our lives.

Not only do we speed about our day during the holiday Christmas rush, but most every day of the year we are pressing along faster and faster. No one is a stranger to this way of life. Multi-tasking with a cup of coffee in one hand, the other feverishly working the computer mouse; a day's worth of tasks to complete.

We rush through the grocery store shopping for the next holiday meal, all the while a cell phone is planted to our ear discussing even more plans. All of this having to occur before we pick up the kids, the dry cleaning or a day planner calendar.

A glance at the wall clock and wonder where the time went.

Have we forgotten how live life and are simply rushing around creating life instead? Do you ever slow down and enjoy longer moments or are those moments only fleeting? Can you slow down the rush of Christmas, of the month, the day or the hour and live what is important?

The maddening speed of Christmas is increasing even more as we near the actual day. Stop for a few minutes in your gift buying, in your perfect meal planning, in your party participation and reflect on the wonders of your life. Reflect upon the important things that will carry you to the end.

There is no need to reach the end in an instant. Enjoy this time, every day and the great and grand things in and about your life.

Stay inspired my friends.

Christmas Vibrations

"Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity."
~ Edwin H. Chapin

A cool way to explain what a vibration is in terms of human understanding is, "A note is a vibration that our eardrums pick up and sends to the brain. The brain perceives this vibration as a sound, which we label as a note."

The article above goes on to explain that depending upon the thickness of a string and how tight the string is will determine how fast it vibrates. Faster vibrations, higher notes; slower vibrations, lower notes.

Pretty simple music theory for sure but it illustrates what comes from the vibrations of a string, which are musical notes. But vibrations result in many different ways. There are physical movements you make, gestures and even the words coming from within you.

In its worst case;

- striking another abusively time and again vibrates for a very long time.
- never smiling at your children or chiding their lives with negative words.

These types of negative vibrations have a lasting impact. I call these vibrations the screeching, unpleasant musical notes in our life.

You can also create wonderful musical notes in your life. You can create great and wonderful vibrations every day;

- holding your partner's hand softly and walking quietly together.
- words of encouragement expressed your child.
- smiling when someone enters the room.

Vibrations that create a lasting impact, these will vibrate in beautiful composition throughout your life and well on in the memories of those you have touched. Put down your fist and anger. Remove the sarcasm and criticism from your speech.

It can begin now, during the holiday season. It can begin at anytime, it simply needs to begin. Create a wondrous vibration in your life. Create wondrous music which is your life.

Stay inspired my friends.

Christmas Cheer

"Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart." - Washington Irving

The air fills with joy the closer we approach Christmas Day. It is an ever increasing sense of something greater. You see it in the faces of those at home and work. It radiates upon the faces of people you meet on the street or as you shop at the store. It is a developing glow of excitement.

Yes, Christmas cheer spreads like a dry summer wildfire, capturing the hearts of everyone.

In the famed Dickens story of Mr. Scrooge, his heart becomes filled with the spirit of Christmas. His heart gave out a cheer and covered everyone he met with it. In this time of giving both gifts and money, it is also a time of giving good cheer.

As Mr. Magoo sang in his adaptation of A Christmas Carol, "Ringle, ringle, coins when they jingle, make such a lovely sound. Give them away and nobody can rob you." Not only is Mr. Magoo speaking of money given to charity and those in need, but of heart and good will.

We each have so much inside us we can give to others which will brighten their day. We can not be robbed of these things, we can only give them away, freely, generously. By simply 'being in the season' and 'being of good cheer' becomes a gift that puts a smile on someones face.

It is a gift that you can give at any time of the year. We just happen to be more aware of if during this holiday season.

Spread cheer to those you encounter.

Spread cheer to brighten the day of others.

Spread cheer to warm your heart in this season of celebration.

And stay inspired my friends.

What Is His Name

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” ― Charles Dickens

I wish for you to allow me to indulge my faith this time of year. For you see it is my belief his name is Jesus. And as common as I am in this world, so it is that he came to us.



Stay inspired my friends.

Yes Virginia

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” ― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

I have always enjoyed the message in this story from New York's THE SUN newspaper and as such I share it with you.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus.

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEAR EDITOR:
I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have a joyous Christmas and Holiday season full of life, love, generosity and devotion. Stay inspired my friends.

Two Days Til Christmas

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” ― Mark Twain

Only two days before the Christian observance of Christmas falls upon us. It celebrates the birth not of God but of a man who was the "son of God" in my Christian faith. And while there is debate as to when the actual birth occurred, it has been with us for hundreds of years.

The celebration has also grown into many different variations of celebration, both religious and secular. We have of course the "Twelve Days of Christmas" shopping season that has grown into "Thirty Days of Christmas" as soon as the Thanksgiving Dinner dishes are washed shopping season.

We have the College Football Bowl season in which the very good and the very questionable games get played. There are the office parties in which some reveal themselves a bit more in the company of co-workers then they should. There are vacations to the beach for those that want a mid-winter's escape from the cold.

There are final visits to see Santa Claus and provide him with a few more gift ideas. A walk through the magical lights or a drive to see colorful Christmas displays. There are parades, there are parties and there are presents to be wrapped.

Yet the most important thing to me is that people just seem to get along much better. New connections are made between people that have never known each other. Old connections are renewed and strengthened. It is a much friendlier time of the year. And in many ways, my belief in what mankind should be like gets restored.

Enjoy the holidays, enjoy Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa and Saint Sylvester. More importantly enjoy being kind to others.

Stay inspired my friends.

Is It Christmas Yet?

"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going to fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why." -Eddie Cantor

If you are interested, there is a website to answer the question, "Is it Christmas" yet?

Though you probably wouldn't know that several other holidays occur prior to it, including;

• Calan Gaeaf is the first day of winter in Wales on November 1.
• All Saints Day is also celebrated on November 1.
• Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated in the UK commemorating the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot.
• Armistice Day is a remembrance holiday in the UK.
• Nativity Fast or the forty days before Christmas, St Philip's fast, Christmas fast, or winter lent or fast.
• Thanksgiving in the U.S. or better known as "Only 30 more days of Christmas shopping" occurs on the fourth Thursday in November.

Christmas is the big one for sure but there is plenty of life that occurs between now and then. It is not strictly a time for shopping, but a time for preparing, a time for connecting with others and a time for experiencing life.

Do not let the time slip by with a blur. Enjoy the moments of "being" with other people. Christmas will come soon enough.

Stay inspired my friends.

Lessons of Christmas

"A Charlie Brown Christmas"

How many of you remember and look forward to watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" cartoon every year? This cartoon animation is the work of the Peanuts creator, Charles Schulz. It first aired in 1965 and is a must-watch show for those that celebrate the Christmas season. It is a message of anti-commercialism along with good will towards man. While millions love its message, I do find it ironic that the materialism it speaks out against is one in which each of us actively take part in.

There is a famous scene in which one of the characters named Linus gives his “True Meaning of Christmas” speech. It is the speech that is meant to steer all of us back towards what Christmas is truly about. But interestingly enough, this particular scene was nearly cut from the final release. You see, Charles Schulz was a religious man and according to his biography, “the life of Jesus remained for him a consuming subject.”

So in the early stages of production, he wanted the script to feature some religious overtones.  In particular, he wanted a passage from the St. Luke gospel about the birth of Jesus Christ. Schulz wanted to bring that meaning to the Christmas holiday. It was a meaning that many times get lost in the mayhem and excitement of the day.

The producers agreed to include a Nativity scene, but when the script was finished, the animation director realized he had included an entire minute-long speech directly from the New Testament. this led to a huge argument between Schulz and the producers. They argued that the cartoon was an “entertainment show” and the speech would scare off advertisers by narrowing its audience. Schulz argued that it should remain as it was central to the story line.

Charles Schulz fought for what he believed in and this iconic speech survived being cut from the show. The "speech" remained part of the original CBS special and it became the second-most watched show of the week when it debuted on December 9, 1965. This story has aired every year since.

You know, there are many things that are worth standing up for in our lives. Charles Schulz believed in something that has resulted in millions of children and adults hearing this message each and every year since 1965. It reminds us that even one person can impact many others with their actions of belief.

You are a pebble dropped in the water which creates the waves that wash a seashell upon the shore for someone else to find. You make a difference simply by standing up for what you believe in.

And without more said, here are the words from Linus, spoken not only to Charlie Brown, but to millions of us.

Luke 2:8-14

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

A very merry Christmas to you, your family and friends!

Twas the day before Christmas

‘Twas the day before Christmas, at the place where I work,
Not a phone was a ringing, a pleasant and nice perk;
The laptops were playing YouTube funny clips,
With hopes that our boss would give not a flip.

The workers they rustled in adjustable chairs;
While thinking of dinner and a good old cold beer;
And me with my headphones clapped over my ears,
Listening to Pandora and Tears for Fears.

When out in the lobby there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away through the door I flew like a flash,
Down the hall in a hurry, my coffee did splash.

An EMC video, it played on the screen,
To an empty reception room, with outdated chairs,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a UPS truck run into a FEDEX trucks rear.

Both drivers were talking so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment, the tension was thick.
More rapid then a post man, the brothers they came,
A rumble of couriers soon burst into flames.

Now, Airborne and Fedex and A1 did fight,
With UPS and USPS in locked battle might.
To the top of the hood, no sign of a stop;
Now dash away, dash away before we all call the cops.

With a blink of an eye, more boxes to deliver,
They shook hands in friendship and none did shiver,
To their trucks they arose, turning keys to ignite,
More packages to go before they could have dinner.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard in the lot,
Screeching tires of couriers dashing off one by one.
For this was the day, we work before Christmas,
But I heard a faint echo as they drove out of sight,

“Merry Christmas to all and to all a good-night.”

Where Love Resides

"When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God." -Kahlil Gibran

There is one week to go before we celebrate the Christmas holiday. A time of celebration and good cheer. It is a time of new birth and new beginning, a gift for all of time to mankind.

Through out the year we experience pain, heartache and disappointment. But as the year draws near to a close, Christmas provides us with the promise of love. And love is many things but mostly love is being in the heart of God.

There are many things that have occurred lately and have happened all year long. The one thing that remains, that can heal, is love. I wrote of the power of love in my book Love Is. It is a very simple concept that can be very hard to understand. Maybe that is because we over think and over analyze it.

Yet in the end when all else is stripped away. When all the money, power, ego, possessions, humility and life itself are gone; love can endure and heal us.

May your Christmas holiday, you New Year celebrations, and everything around you be filled with love. And not only during these next two weeks, but throughout the coming years.

Stay inspired my friends.

The Beginning

"Don't dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer." -Denis Waitley

The wondrous day that Christians celebrate each year has come and gone. The marking of Christmas is a Christian holiday that others partake in for other reasons. Christmas breakfast, family close by and a warm fire filling the room. It is a chance and time for people all over the world to slow down a bit and take pause. We take the time to focus more on our God, our family and others. The day creates a moment of reflection on what is important to life.

The timing of Christmas in our Gregorian calendar places the holiday at the end. It takes places on December 25th, a few days short of year's end. In many ways we treat it as the last celebration, the ending of a year and culmination of all our hard work throughout that year of living.

For me it truly marks a beginning to what is to come in my life. It is a birth of new possibility that starts that day. We get the chance to let the previous year be forgiven of any mistakes or wrong turns we took.

Many would argue that we start a new year at the stroke of midnight December 31st. We begin the countdown and as January 1st begins, we sing the song "Auld Lang Syne" as we now begin anew. It marks of course the taking down of one old calendar and unwrapping and hanging of a new one. The song we sing itself asks the question, "Should those we knew and loved be forgotten and never thought of? Should old times past be forgotten?"

"Auld Lang Syne" isn't celebrating the start of something, it is celebrating what has gone by. The song itself tells us that no, those times and people should not be forgotten. We remember those times and people gone, we'll toast them now and always, we'll keep them close; "We'll take a cup of kindness yet." So New Years is a celebration of all that has happened in the previous year. It is a way of remembering those things and people gone before us.

But Christmas marks a new birth, a promise of great things to come and of forgiveness to all that has happened in our lives. This is why you should take this week between Christmas and New Years to reflect on 2011. But you should also get on with your life, moving it forward to greater things. Do not wait for January 1st. Begin now. Birth a new way of living your life.

And stay inspired my friends.

Why Yes There Is

Two days in a row, because I think it bears repeating.

"Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus."

Every year at this time, we start to question if there is any "good" left in this world. The stories regarding politics, the economy, wars and poverty seem to invade the daily news.

But I am here to say that there is quite a bit of "good" in this world. There are many people that make life a great thing to have. The human spirit remains bold and strong in wanting to do "good" everyday.

Whether you are black, white, Hispanic or Asian; if you are Heterosexual or not; if man or woman; rich or poor; there is "good" in life and in those around us.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and he lives in the hearts and souls or more people than not. So have a very Merry Christmas and remember all that is "good" in this world.

And stay inspired my friends.

+++++++++++++++++++++

And now the letter.

+++++++++++++++++++++

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

"Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus."

Every year at this time, we start to question if there is any "good" left in this world. The stories regarding politics, the economy, wars and poverty seem to invade the daily news.

But I am here to say that there is quite a bit of "good" in this world. There are many people that make life a great thing to have. The human spirit remains bold and strong in wanting to do "good" everyday.

Whether you are black, white, Hispanic or Asian; if you are Heterosexual or not; if man or woman; rich or poor; there is "good" in life and in those around us.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and he lives in the hearts and souls or more people than not. So have a very Merry Christmas and remember all that is "good" in this world.

And stay inspired my friends.

+++++++++++++++++++++

And now the letter.

+++++++++++++++++++++

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Baking Up A Great Year-end

"Be happy with what you have and are, be generous with both, and you won't have to hunt for happiness." -William E. Gladstone

On a recent trip back to where I grew up, I had an opportunity to visit with family and friends. The town that I spent my early years is small in size but huge in heart. I guess you could say that of most any place, but it seems more so as these are the places I was a young boy.

My sister Pam took me out for coffee with her friends on a Saturday morning. The bakery in downtown Fremont is small, nice and comfy with the smells of fresh baked rolls and pastries. Alotta Brownies sits in the three hundred block of north Main Street. Just the sound of saying "Main Street" brings back wonderful memories. The conversation, coffee and cinnamon rolls pulled those moments from the back of my mind. If you ever happen through Fremont, Nebraska; take a moment to stop in and indulge your memories.

It was very shortly after the coffee and memories that I received a text message from my daughter Sarra. She was checking with me to ensure that I was going to make my annual Christmas batch of fudge. Why of course I am and somehow it has become traditional for me to do so.

I would really like to tell you that my fudge is the best in the world, top class and the thing that bakery chefs long to create. The fudge is typically good enough and I never seem to use the same recipe each year. I'm not creating a great fudge, that is for sure.

What I am recreating each year though is a tradition. It is something that will bring back memories for future generations when they smell fudge being made. When they wander into a bakery somewhere on their travels, a traditional memory will come flooding home to them. It will become a waypost in time as they make their way through life.

This time of year and in fact throughout the year, create traditions for those around you. These will be the lasting moments and memories that make the day easier. They are "you" living on within the hearts of others in the many years that will follow you.

And since tomorrow is Christmas Eve that will flow into Christmas Day, I want to wish all of my family, my sons, daughters, father, brothers, sister, in-laws and friends a Merry Christmas. There are those gone before us that I remember on these days as well; to all of them I have fond memories of many great past Christmas days.

And to you my friends out there, the happiest of Christmas Days and a safe holiday season. Stay inspired my friends.

Christmas "Is" Perfect

"Stress is when you wake up screaming and you realize you haven't fallen asleep yet." -Author Unknown

You know it is going to happen next Monday when you wake up from a weekend of office Christmas parties. You will suddenly realize that you are not even close to being ready for Christmas Day. The pressure of knowing that family and friends will be arriving in just a few short days.

You might look at your bank budget and see that very little is left. One string of lights on the Christmas tree just went out and no cookies have been baked yet. The growing tension inside of you is starting to bubble to the surface.

When it seems that all of your Christmas bulbs are going to burn out, stop, relax and let it go. Christmas is not meant for us to make perfect. Christmas "is" perfect in all manners that we experience it.

All of that stress, anxiety, and depression are common during a holiday season. If nothing else, reassure yourself that these feelings are normal. So again, relax.

Some tips I collected from various health organizations that will help you deal with Christmas stress or any other kind of stress are;

- If there is still shopping to do, try to do all your shopping on one day. It focuses the mind. Shop via the Internet to avoid crowds, lines and parking problems.

- If you do go shopping, don't stop for coffee. Caffeine makes the body release cortisol, which is a stress hormone and leaves you feeling tense. Instead take a bottle of water with you.

- When you are in a line, breath in for four counts, hold it for 16 counts, then breath out for eight counts. This will boost levels of serotonin in your brain.

- Don't expect miracles. If you and certain family members bicker all year long, you can be sure there will be tension at Christmas gatherings. So avoid the known triggers. In example, if politics is a touchy subject in your family, don't talk about it. If someone brings up the topic, use distraction and quickly move on to something else to talk about.

- Use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or focusing on your breath to cope with anxiety or tension.

- Family members involved in after-lunch activities (such as football, Frisbee or something else on the back lawn) are less likely to get into arguments. Plan for something to do as a group after lunch if necessary.

- People under stress tend to 'self-medicate' with alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs. Try to remember that drugs can't solve problems or alleviate stress in the long term.

Above all, stay calm and carry on. It is the holiday season and it should be a happy time for you and those around you. Choose to be happy and cheerful in attitude. Remember that this is Christmas and it "is" perfect already.

Christmas Eve 2010

And here we are, Christmas Eve ... a joyous and happy time for everyone.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
~ Luke 2: 8-14 ~

Christmas Day

Christmas Day - Enjoy the holiday and thank you for a great year.

Christmas, Yes Virginia

Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus: The Classic Edition

“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exists, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.” -Francis Pharcellus Church

As we enter into the Christian holiday of Christmas, the spirit of Christmas that can be felt by people of all religions is embodied in this letter.

~~~~~

Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

~~~~~THE LETTER~~~~~

Dear Editor,

I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O'Hanlon
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.

~~~~~EDITORS RESPONSE~~~~~

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have a safe and merry Christmas! To all have a happy holiday season and new year!

Christmas Quiet

"The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others' burdens, easing other's loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas." -WC Jones

Here we are, the day before the day of the eve of "THE" day. Another day in the week you might think. But each day is special and wonderful if you think about it. There will of course be last minute shopping. The patience of people will be tested. The problems in your life will not magically disappear.

But like a gentle snow fall in the forest, for a short time we can enjoy the 'coming home' this holiday season brings to us. If you take the time to listen to the gentle rush of a breeze through that forest of new fallen snow. If you take the time to enjoy the moments of this season. It will be very much like coming home to mother.

The words to a song by Ben Lee that kind of resonate this time of year read;

Sweet mother I'm comin' home
Tell me mother can you hear me sing?
Your love is everything
Heart and soul
Breath and skin
Your love is everything

They come from Song For The Divine Mother Of The Universe. The link is to the song on Amazon...so no surprises.

What I like is that we each can find a song in our hearts to sing. And that no matter how it is sung, we are not alone during this season. If we simply take time to hear that quiet gentle song inside, we'll be prepared for most anything.