Christmas Travel

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is that time of year when people will travel all over to celebrate the season. There will be short car drives to Grandmother's home. There will be people travelling by bus, boat, airplanes and trains. In all, we each will travel with wishes of a happy and wonderful time.

We save our good heart for those at the far end of our travel plans. What we tend to forget is to carry that good heart in the open as we travel. If we fret and fuss at people along the path of our journey, it effects the end result. The destination will be clouded by your trip.

Everyone along the way is striving to have a happy holiday. But many along the way are either working or travelling such as yourself. There are frustrations each of us carry; the crowds, the delays, the weather and the attitude. Many of those frustrations are out of our control.

What is under our control is the attitude. We can each control our attitude when facing the inevitable obstacles. By knowing that 'life' happens ahead of time, we can better handle the circumstances that might befall us. A better attitude, a smile or carrying the beautiful feeling on the outside will spread to others. You can not change them, but you can help change the atmosphere.

In a more beautiful travel atmosphere, the possibilities are endless. The time spent travelling becomes a greater experience. It allows you to start the time at your destination on a positive note. The stories you will tell bring out the greater stories in others.

Travel in a better mood by carrying your heart on the outside. It will cause you to be a better person while spreading the beauty to those around you.

Christmas Presents

"The magi, as you know, were wise men - wonderfully wise men who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents." -Unknown

People are out and about, buying those last presents for those that are special in their lives. The buying frenzy will come to an end early in the evening of December 24th. The gifts will be wrapped in wonderful colors of paper. The bows will be tied with care. And the Christmas tree will seem to float on top of so many presents.

The gifts we give each year are thought out and well intentioned. That sweater or tie for Dad which looked so perfect in the store. Maybe it is perfume or jewelry that Mom is sure to wear once or twice. A train set for your son or a doll house for your daughter will brighten their eyes on Christmas morning.

But the gifts you can give each and everyday are within you as well. A simple kiss for your wife in the morning. Encouraging words to your children each day. The smile you give to people passing by. All of these things hold the idea of Christmas in their giving to another.

As this Christmas week proceeds, try a new habit of giving from the heart just a little more. Before you know it, the gifts will flow from you each and everyday. And as these gifts flow from your heart, they will be re-gifted to you along the way.

Have a happy holiday week to all my friends. To those that celebrate the religious significance of Christmas, a very merry and blessed holiday to you. It is a joyous end to another great year of life.

Christmas Life

"The ripple of a stone dropped in the water creates a wave which washes a sea shell upon the shore that brightens a childs day when found." -Joseph Primm

I have this Christmas wish that fills my head lately. It isn't the old traditional, good will and peace towards all men. There are plenty of people wishing that each and every year. It isn't the "chicken in every pot and a car in every garage", while that would be a great thing it isn't my wish.

There are many things we can and do wish for during this time of year. My wish falls more into wanting people to understand how important they each are individually. There are so many people that get the idea that they have no purpose or meaning to life. A life that would not matter to the greater events of life around them.

One could call this my revelation wish of "Its A Wonderful Life", that 1946 film by Frank Capra. It remains one of my favorite movies to watch during the Christmas season. The idea that your life would have meant nothing had it never occurred is furthest from reality. We have an impact throughout our life whether we realize it or not. The pebble dropped in the water seems insignificant, but the results are tremendous.

There is the idea called the 'Butterfly Effect' that has a part in all of this. A butterfly flapping its wings contributes to the conditions that can create a tornado, a gust of wind or other weather conditions. It seems so small and insignificant, but the flapping of its wings remains a piece to something greater that happens.

The same can be said for each of our lives. Without one of us, many things get altered, many things never happen. And when you take your life and try to diminish it to something meaningless, then you are diminishing the lives of others. You are important to what happens around you. You are important to life and the impact is has on others.

You may not realize it, but the ripple of a stone dropped in the water creates a wave which washes a sea shell upon the shore that brightens a childs day when found. That child is filled with excitement and wonderment. The child is spurred to discover more about the ocean, becoming a famous marine biologist such as Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

During this Christmas, my wish is for each of you, my family, siblings and anyone that questions themselves. You are important to those you may not know, you are important to those you do know. You are important to this 'wonderful life'.

Christmas Party

"There is a remarkable breakdown of taste and intelligence at Christmastime. Mature, responsible grown men wear neckties made of holly leaves and drink alcoholic beverages with raw egg yolks and cottage cheese in them." -P.J. O'Rourke

Wow, the bright and colorful lights strung from house to house, down numerous city streets and across all of earth. The world becomes a cheerful and wonderful site with all of the decorations this time of year.

We spend more money then we have, we smile more often then other times and we get a generally good feeling. We may tire of the many parties but we attend each of them and celebrate with family and friends.

The food just seems tastier and more enjoyable. The eggnog flows as do the spirits. We tend to overindulge and blame it on the season. We gain weight from the food and we drive after too much alcohol. The roads become a danger to others with the increased number of drunk drivers on the road. People lose their lives before they can see the new year. The joy and happiness gets replaced by sorrow and pain from the loss of a loved one.

There will likely be close to 37,000 traffic deaths this holiday season in the United States alone. Of which 37% of them or 13,690 will be alcohol related. The numbers have been decreasing with awareness, but so many remain avoidable. Even with this steady decline in fatalities, the number of drivers with drunk driving arrests is on the rise.

It is estimated that there are as many as two million drunk drivers with three or more convictions and more than 400,000 with five or more drunk driving convictions still behind the wheel.

Here are steps drivers can take to help avoid becoming a statistic:

1. If they drink, they shouldn’t drive no matter how little they think they’ve had.
2. Don’t let someone get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.
3. Avoid driving during early and late evening hours on holidays.

The Christmas parties at work and the celebrations at the home of friends will be a joyous occasion each and every time. With care, moderation and common sense there will be many more years of celebrating each of us can have.

Enjoy the holiday season, be of good cheer and spread happiness wherever you go. The time we have gives us an opportunity to make it a little better not only for ourselves, but for those around us.

Christmas Love

"Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action." -Mother Teresa

The scene of a perfect Christmas made even more special by a Currier & Ives painting. The view we want to have of a gentle snow outside and a warm nestling fire inside fills our mind. Crisply wrapped gifts glisten under the wonderfully decorated tree draws our eye. So many times we have searched for the idyllic setting.

The perfect Christmas setting from these pictures and advertisement is hardly attainable. The wind will likely be blowing outside and the cold will still seep inside. The level of Christmas we attain is not the gifts nor the picture perfect setting.

The level of Christmas we achieve is the love we attach to all that we do. At this time of the year we have a little more grace in our hearts. At this time of year we have a little more giving in our pocket books. At this time, we simply love more.

Christmas Gifts

"A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy." ~Edward P. Morgan

Tis the season to be jolly. A season when each of us can stop and ponder what is important in our lives. Whether it be the religious observances or simple celebrations, it affords us a time to gather with those we love.

It also gives us an opportunity to do something good for another person. There are many ways to do this and it doesn't have to be a large expensive effort. Small things can impact people in large ways.

Today, I'm promoting my books which are meant to inspire and motivate others. They give each of us hope and encouragement to do greater things in our lives. You can purchase through LULU.COM or search the Internet.

CHANGED LIVES and ATTITUDE IN WORDS are books that I wrote in order to provide a bit of inspiration. A way to show others that there is a path to a greater life, to change your circumstance and move forward.

Now there is the question I get asked, what happens to the money I make? Any money I make goes to different charities. Recipients such as Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, my church The C3 Church and other various organizations that do great things for both individuals and communities.

Heck, if I were getting rich on this there would be publishing companies knocking on my door (they are not, but eventually they will) and Oprah would have me listed in her book club (she has not, but I'm waiting for their phone call).

So get online and order a book to give someone for Christmas. Maybe buy it for yourself. And then drop me an email at josephprimm@bellsouth.net and tell me what changes you have made in life. Give me your story or the story of someone you know that either lifts someone or was lifted them self.

If I get enough of these stories, I will have another book with your story available for sharing next Christmas. Tis the season to be jolly. Spread the joy with others and see it impact your own life.

Yes Virginia, There Is

Story is reprinted from Newseum

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.
_

O Holy Night

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." ~Norman Vincent Peale

As we each rush through our day to finish the day's work and be at home with family and friends, take a moment to reflect upon the season. These next five minutes will give you time to look upon what Christmas truly means to Christians around the world.

Tomorrow, December 25th is the Christian calendar event marking the birth of Jesus. A many and happy blessing upon you and yours.


_

Merry Christmas and Peace To All

Christmas

All of us have our favorite Christmas hymns, this is mine. Have a wonderful and safe holiday.

O Holy Night - J.S.Dwight & A.C.Adam, 19th Century

O holy night,
the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of
our dear Savior's birth!

Long lay the world
in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared
and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope,
the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks
a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees,
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night,
O night divine!

Led by the light
of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts
by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star
sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men
from Orient land.

The King of Kings
lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials
born to be our Friend!

He knows our need,
To our weakness no stranger;
Behold your King!
Before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! your King!
before Him bend.

Truly He taught us
to love one another;
His law is love and
His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break
for the slave is our brother
And in His name
all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in
grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us
praise His holy name!

Christ is the Lord,
Oh praise His name forever,
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim
His pow'r and glory
evermore proclaim.

Merry Christmas

“Somehow, not only for Christmas but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing the poor and lonely and sad, the more of your heart's possessing returns to you glad.” - John Greenleaf Whittier

For anyone celebrating this time of year, all the best to you, your families and friends. It will be a chance to renew yourself, to let the worry and stress of life be set aside for a short while. Let your world relax for a few moments.

• Afrikaans - Gesëende Kersfees
• Czech - Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
• Danish - Glædelig Jul
• English - Merry Christmas
• Esperanto - Gajan Kristnaskon
• Finnish - Hyvää Joulua
• French - Joyeux Noël
• German - Froehliche Weihnachten
• Greek - Kala Christouyenna
• Hawaiian - Mele Kalikimaka
• Irish Nollaig - Shona Dhuit
• Italian - Buon Natale or Buone Feste Natalizie
• Japanese - Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
• Korean - Sung Tan Chuk Ha
• Latin - Natale hilare
• Lithuanian - Linksmu Kaledu
• Norwegian - God Jul
• Polish - Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
• Portuguese - Feliz Natal
• Russian - Srozhdestovm Kristovim
• Spanish - Feliz Navidad
• Swahili - Kuwa na Krismasi njema
• Tagalog - Maligayang Pasko
• Thai - Suksun Wan Christmas
• Vietnamese - Chuc Mung Giang Sinh
• Welsh - Nadolig Llawen