Be Thankful--Yes, For Everything

The holidays are upon us. We will celebrate important things like family, friends, having jobs, good health, homes not in foreclosure, etc. We’ll also give thanks for some of the less ethereal matters of life-----turkey that’s not too dry; neighbors that are not too loud, football in HD, Spanx (my personal favorite), and a whole host of other blessings. And then, on the heals of being thankful, we will rush out during the pre-dawn hours to shop----and we’ll continue to shop until the big burly guy in the red suit comes down the chimney—or-- we pay off our lay-away at Big K, whichever happens first. We will wake up on January 2nd jazzed with resolutions and new resolve, which will get old in about a month or so, and then, for better or worse, we will return to ourselves.

So, before we begin this frenzy of Turkey Gravy, Wrapping Paper, and Resolutions, I’d like to offer 3 thoughts for the holiday season:

1. Give Me My Flowers While I can See Them (Just like the old Church song says)
Life is fragile, and fleeting—and can change in the blink of an eye---in the reading of a medical diagnosis, behind the wheel of a car. Remember birthdays, graduations, dance recitals, baseball games, the day a loved one quit smoking----seemingly small moments. Your acknowledgement means the world, and is like giving a flower, and your light says, “I see you”. What a gift! Don’t wait for a funeral to give someone flowers, don’t wait until a holiday to make a phone call--tell them you love them today, when they can hear you---go and visit while they can see you. Personally, I’d rather have a cute daisy in a bud vase on my desk today, than a blanket of expensive orchids draped on my casket tomorrow.
2. Be The Change You Want to See in the World (Gandhi said that, and he was right)
It is a known fact that we believe more of what we see than what we hear. Make sure that you are always being what you want the world to see----and--- if you want to change the world in any way at all, seek to be what God has ordained you to be. Warren Buffett does amazing things with his millions, and we all know his name. But what of Agnes Bojaxhiu? a woman who never went to college, never owned a car---but millions of people know her because she became who and what God ordained. Remember, there is only one ME, and one YOU----crafted by a meticulous, deliberate and amazing God. Each of us has a wonderful and specific divine purpose---find it---be it---live it with integrity--and the world will never be the same. Oh yes, and what of Agnes Bojaxhiu? ---perhaps you know her by her other name—Mother Teresa.
3. And While You are Being Thankful…
Seek to live a life of gratitude, not just of big things, but of all things---not just at Thanksgiving, but everyday. In fact, take a few moments this season to be thankful not only for all that you have been given, but take a few moments to recognize and be thankful for the stuff you asked for that you didn’t get. How many times have we asked for things that simply were not meant for us to have? God was not being punitive by not answering the prayer in the affirmative, but instead, a prudent parent. Sometimes we ask for things with the wrong motive, or for that which will do us more harm than good. God knows why you don’t need a fast sports car; a house too big to afford, that man or woman that was meant for someone else, or the job that would give you an ulcer. So, in this holiday season of thanksgiving and gift giving, yes, thank God for all that you have been given, for knowing you better than you know yourself –and—for not giving you everything you have asked for.

And remember, not receiving things we ask for is not God calling us to a place of Deprivation---but to a place of Preservation. And that dear ones, is something to be thankful for!!!

Wishing You Happy Holidays and Metta For Your Journey!!!

Alas, I am a Relic

I love writing letters on sweet smelling paper. I keep all the birthday cards people send. When I’m in love, I write real love notes. I adore creating greeting cards for holidays—and hand addressing (yes, I said that) envelopes and affixing pretty stamps.

I muse about the days I received more than bills and cell phone upgrade ads in the mailbox. In fact, once upon a time, opening the mailbox was like Christmas---there might be a brightly colored envelope containing an actual invitation, or maybe even a real thank-you note---oh my---those were the days. All that wonder has been replaced by Blackberry’s and IPhone’s; Evites and Text Messages.

We have become so tech savvy -–but---have we become better communicators?? What does one think when the long revered Book is considered yesterday, being upstaged by an electronic hand-held device. When did turning a page become so time consuming and out of fashion? Yes, Yes, technology is a wonderful thing, and being able to watch your friends wedding in New York on a hand-held device while sunning yourself on a beach in Maui is quite a feat. But so is having coffee with a friend face-to-face and telling them how much you appreciate them. We have forgotten the need for balance between the cyber world and the real one where the people actually exist. Has Face Book made us better friends-- better brothers, or sisters? Did you know that hurtful words are no less hurtful when you whisper them, shout them, or send them to me on a 2-inch screen? Are you more productive, happier or smarter because you can cyber communicate in shorthand and send an electronic bouquet of flowers to your mother?

I’m not a highly evolved tech creature—and that’s actually okay with me. I’m not on Face Book. My cell phone doesn’t have a camera, and tweeting is what happens when the song birds nesting outside my bedroom window wake up in the morning.

So here’s a salute to thoughtful, handwritten thank-you notes; real conversations on the phone when you actually do laugh out loud---here’s a high five to those who press real roses in real books to remember special occasions. And last but certainly not least, I offer a standing ovation to those who remember when BFF was burger and french fries---your order taken at the local diner when you had real lunch with a real friend and had real conversation.

Alas, I am a relic, and proud of it---