The holidays are here again, as hard as that is to believe. I think it is some kind of MURPHY's law that dictates that no matter HOW outrageously early stores prepare us for the holidays (oftentimes the day after Halloween here in the states) they STILL catch us by surprise with more things left to do than time allows.

I vividly remember last year's holidays on the net. It was really pretty special and tender. Many people breezed in and out making sure to connect with their IRC family. For the people who seemed to feel especially isolated and lonely, turning ON the computer to this IRC family was just the thing that was needed to make their holiday memorable. For others, it seemed like when emotions ran tooooooo high or sentimental, the perfect solution was to turn OFF the computer to help regulate potential overdoses of holiday cheer. Either way, there seemed to be a special connectedness and a consideration for each other that was incredibly touching.

When I think of how my own emotions run during the holidays, I can see all sorts of layers. Ranging from overload of things to be done, to quiet, almost boring times, to moments of pure joy, to polite disappointment, to a homesick type feeling (long after I have had a childhood home for which to feel homesick), as well as some deeply satisfying times with family and friends, these feelings seem closer to the surface this time of year.

It's hard at times to get past the hype of the season, be it XMAS or Chanukah. It's hard for me to not feel sorry for myself a little as I feel the pressure of wanting to give gifts that most of the times do NOT match my budget. (YIKES!!! there is that *b* word that I can't seem to manage.*GRIN*

I have been reading two books that have greatly influenced me lately and are uplifting books during this holiday season. One is called FIRST THINGS FIRST by Stephen R. Covey. It does a great job of connecting HOW we invest our allotment of time to our deeper values and priorities of life.

The other is HOW TO RAISE SELF RELIANT CHILDREN IN A SELF INDULGENT WORLD, by Stephen Glenn. Not only is this one helpful with issues concerning raising my young son, I found it especially empowering for ME in keeping a positive perspective of life. It starts off with a quiz of sorts...

  • DO YOU OWN MORE THAN ONE PAIR OF SHOES?
  • DID YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE MEAL TODAY AND
  • DID YOU DECIDE WHAT THAT ONE MEAL WOULD BE?

    If you answered "yes" to both those questions...then the point is made that you are in the top 10% of all the richest people of the world for all times.

    Quite a different world view, eh??!!! I would highly recommend either or both of these books as a gift to yourself and others.

    ***** I want to also share an inspiring story of how ONE YOUNG PERSON can make a difference in the lives of sooooooooooooooooooooo many. Maybe I see this story in an even brighter light than most because I w*rk at the Juvenile Justice Center and see such horrendous examples of crime, abuse and just plain self indulgence with kids and families everyday.

    A daughter of a regular nick recently moved to a new city. As she got more and more involved in her school, she found that there was no program for the elderly in her city around the holidays. In a One Person Campaign at first, she single handedly got people organized to create such a program. They had gathered well over $40,000 worth of goods and services ( 3 weeks ago so it must be much more now) for the elderly in that city. They also created a program through the drama department to entertain at a nursing home. During winter break, when most kids will be complaining about being bored or watching TV, this young girl will be leading other kids who have pledged hours and hours of clean up and repairs in w*rk crews for the elderly. This is all in addition to the holiday meals and food baskets to be delivered.

    She didn't do it for KUDOS. If the truth be known, she may even be angry at me for sharing this story with others. She did it out of her strong value of wanting to give back! This special young woman has faced hardships all of her life and has lived with a life threatening illness right from the start. Her zest for living and her ability to think beyond herself is quite remarkable. Apparently they wanted to do a newspaper article about her and she flatly refused. She finally agreed on the condition that the editor and a number of the staff get actively and personally involved with the project. They were no match for this powerful young woman with this *Santa Claus soul*. They agreed and from what I understand, she is also writing the article to make sure the focus is where she thinks it belongs; on others.

    Think of the elderly people whose lives will never be the same this holiday. The simplest of things that we often take for granted, like basic home repair, house and yard work, will be a gift filled with relief. The human contact, the power of seeing youth and others CARE, must be an even more powerful gift.

    Think of the kids involved whose lives will never be the same this holiday. The deepest kind of satisfaction must fit better than ANY latest style of clothes, and the sound of those earnest "thank you's" must be better on some level, than any current CD. The school authorities and the adults involved will also have another, perhaps overdue opportunity to believe again in the power of young people. In addition to all that, here I am, miles and miles away, being touched to my very core about the power in each of us to make a difference. It doesn't matter how young or old, physical challenges or not, financial resources or not, there is ALWAYS room for RANDOM AND DELIBERATE ACTS OF KINDNESS.

    Someone once told me that the key to a balanced and satisfying life of happiness is this:

    THANK YOU ALL for helping me w*rk towards keeping that balance in my life. May each of you find that balance during the holidays, and for the years to come.

    PEACE ON EARTH (including IRC)

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