Tis the Season to Contemplate: A Christmas Message

In just a matter of hours, Christmas day is here. And this Christmas, I share with you all my message. This is truly a time for us to contemplate on what has happened and on what has become of us over the year.

May your hearts be filled with the Christmas spirit...

o O o

That time of year is upon us once again, the holidays. A time of family, friends, good cheer, and, my personal favorite, home-cooked food. It is a time to reflect on the past and consider the future, and determine, as individuals, what we can do to improve our lives. It is a noble pursuit, humankind working to better the world, a valiant attempt to secure a better future for our posterity.

Most agree this will be a different Christmas. We will still exchange gifts, light our candles, and eat ourselves into oblivion. But just behind us lies a past that we will never forget. It is not that we have more to be thankful for; rather, it is that we better understand how quickly we can lose what we have.

This holiday season, most of us will take a moment to consider the quality of our lives, and perhaps resolve to lose five pounds, stop procrastinating, cut down on the booze, what have you. And then we'll forget we ever made those promises to ourselves. Yes, a noble pursuit, valiant, and hopeless.

The holidays are supposed to be about being surrounded by friends and family -- and these days, it is mostly about material goods, but everyone has the power to change that. This holiday season, think about what gift would make you truly happy to give. This doesn't mean that you can't buy individual gifts. But think about the bigger picture during the holidays this year. It could be easier, less costly and more heart-warming to give a gift that someone will truly appreciate and be thankful for. Let yourself get caught up in the true spirit of the season and give a gift that makes a difference.

Merry Christmas to one and all!