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12/15/05

Never a Christmas morning,
Never the old year ends,
But someone thinks of someone,
Old days, old times, old friends."
                                                
                                                                             ~ taken from a Christmas card

Merry Christmas to my Christian friends; Happy Holiday Season to all that find that greeting more appropriate. Let me say right off that I have the utmost respect for all religions and our right to choose and participate. That being said, please bear with me when I add that I think there has been way too much hoop-la over what the damn greeting is.

I  have lost my patience with those who spoil the season's spirit while they angrily demand their religious rights. Apparently they overlook the fact that if one achieves true spirituality, they have patience and humility and don't elbow their way to the front of the religious crowd. Listen up people.....your belief is not the only possible one! No one is going straight to hell if they don't fall into step with you and your church/synagogue/temple/mosque. The future doesn't look too good however, for those that steamroll over their fellow man insisting on generic greetings.

While everyone is arguing, a very significant time of the year is passing by. I happen to appreciate being reminded at this time of year, (no matter what it's called), who my friends and loved ones are and how lucky I am to have them. I need this reminder; I need to stop and think about other people and how I might please them...with a gift or a card or just a phone call. This isn't guaranteed to happen on Mother's day, nor on my birthday, but it consistently happens for me at what is often referred to as "Christmas" and I feel it is a spiritual trip I and my fellow humans should take, regardless of religious affiliation.

I don't argue with formal religious traditions and beliefs, I'm only saying that these significant days and/or seasons don't need to be restricted to respective religious beliefs (or lack of beliefs). I feel they are an opportunity for us to express our appreciation and love for each other without sorting out our friends and neighbors by religion or practice. If someone is gracious and thoughtful enough to make you a wish for the season, how rude and anal is it to pick apart the origin of that wish.

Personally, I feel flattered that someone might include me in their most cherished wishes, religious or not, by wishing for me, that which they hold most dear, a Happy "whatever it is". 

On a similar note.....

I came across the following written by some unknown, but superbly intelligent, person who seems to have figured out our relationships, their significance and places in our lives. I hope you read it through to the end. Seldom is there an opportunity to go back in time and figure out why we came in contact with the people we did. Awesome.
 

Are you a Reason, a Season or a Lifetime?

Pay attention to what you read. After you read this,
you will know the reason it was sent to you!

People come into your life for a reason, a season,
or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON. . . It is
usually to meet a need you have expressed. They
have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide
you with guidance and support, to aid you physically,
emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend,
and they are!

They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an
inconvenient time, this person will say or do something
to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.


What we must realize is that our need has been met,
our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The need you
put out has been answered.
And now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON it is
because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or
make you laugh.

They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid
emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and
put what you have learned to use in all other relationships
and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but
friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life.

Work like you don't need the money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
dance like no one is watching.

~ Author Unknown ~