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December 2005, Year-end Reflection

Musing

Joyful, meaningful holidays to you all! I so love the sensuousness of this season: the lights, the music, the food, and the decorations. The commercialism and the frantic pace of obligations also offend me, so my aim is to focus on the meaning of this season for me. It is a time of light, of hope, of possibility that peace, goodwill and justice can reign on this planet of ours. Every year I watch the 1965 classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas" which helps remind me of the true beauty of this season.

If you are still pondering what gifts to give, I want to give a plug for The heifer project. Most of us have too much stuff. Here you can give a gift of a cow for milk, goat for cheese, bees for honey, which will sustain a poor family on this planet. My Holiday wish for each of us is that in 2006 we make this world and our community a happier and more peaceful place, for all of us. This particular planet is just too small for us to not get along. Our diversity is what contributes to the rich fabric and tapestry of our lives. May your relationships at work, at home and in your community thrive in the coming year. Here's to a prosperous, peaceful, and joyful Holiday and New year.

Tool

Well, it wouldn't be December without my year-end questions! Please take time to slow down, put your feet up, and reflect about the year that is coming to a close. Reflect upon your life. I am offering you some end-of-year questions to stimulate your thinking. Pick the ones that speak to you. These questions can also create juicy discussion among family members during the holidays. Enjoy!
  • What was your most meaningful triumph or accomplishment in 2005?
  • What was the smartest decision you made in 2005?
  • What was the greatest lesson you learned in 2005?
  • What was the most loving service or contribution you performed in 2005?
  • What is your biggest piece of “unfinished business" in 2005?
  • What are you most satisfied about completing this year?
  • Who are the three people who had the greatest impact on your life in 2005?
  • Now, are you willing to tell them?
  • What was the biggest risk you took in 2005?
  • If you were accused of being a kind and generous person, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
  • What are you most grateful for in 2005?

Food for Thought

I guess I could be really pissed off about what happened to me, but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst. And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain. And I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life. You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... you will someday.
— Lester Burnham from the movie American Beauty

Laughter

“I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother Took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph."
—Shirley Temple, child star and adult diplomat

“I once wanted to become an atheist but I gave up... They have no holidays."
—Henny Youngman, comedian



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