Happy Holidays (part III)

Take a moment today and count your blessings. We all have problems, worries, and fears. It is a part of all of our lives. But, just for a moment, reflect on the wonderful things we do have. Do we have food? Shelter? Family? Employment? Someone to care about? Christmas is just a couple of days away and so many in our world, in our country, and in our own communities lack some or all of those things which we may be taking for granted. For some hunger is real. Fear is real. Isolation and loneliness are real.

I know many people are lamenting the dismal rain and gloomy sky here in central Michigan. They mutter about wanting a white Christmas, and invariably begin to list off more items that are negatives in their lives. I say we should reverse this way of thinking. If you start with the negative, you tend to stay negative. If you stay negative, you become miserable and whether you know it or not, you spread that misery to everyone around you. Can you tell me how many times a day you smile at a passing stranger? How many times you warmly greet the people you interact with every day at work, in the stores, or even in your own homes? A tough one to think about, right? But shouldn't we be doing just that?

I ask you right now, this moment, to count TEN things you are grateful for. Ten. It may be hard for some of you but do it anyway. Take the time to really think about the little things that you do have. Did you wake up in a warm, clean bed? Did you have breakfast and a warm cup of coffee? Did a favorite pet greet you as you started your day? Were you fortunate enough to see your spouse, children, or loved ones today? Have you uttered the words "I love you" to someone and mean it? Your car works? Your favorite Christmas song played on the radio. You are breathing, feeling, and being part of a beautiful natural world?

Now, hold on to those things today, and through the holidays. Do not let go of any of those blessings even for a moment. Smile at a stranger like they are a neighbor and friend. Thank people who provide you any little service. Hug your children and hold them. Wave at the person who lets you out of your driveway in traffic. Wish someone a Merry Christmas. You have thousands of opportunities every day to bring a little bit of joy to someone else. Someone who may not have 10 things to be thankful for. Maybe your little kindness will be the tenth thing that makes their world a little brighter and pulls them from the darkness that holds them. And who doesn't need a little light in their life during such challenging times. Your light is important to someone, maybe someone you don't even know.

May God bless you abundantly this holiday season, and always. Merry Christmas.