Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas

Here's a little repostage, a regift, if you will, of my annual holiday wish. It still holds true....for me: 

Christmas means a lot of different hings to a lot of different people. 

It's a religious holiday.

It's a shopping holiday.
It's a day for those who shop religiously. 
I'm not a big fan of either.  

So for me, Christmas is a day to spend with those you hold most dear in your heart. For me, it's Carlos and my family. Of course, the family is mostly on the Left Coast and I'm over here on the right, so Christmas is me and Carlos, and Ozzo, Tuxedo, Max Goldberg, and Consuelo Roca Jones -- all our furry kids.  


It's a day of relaxation and togetherness; reflection and laughter; of a good dinner cooked and shared by the two of us. It's not a day for What did you get? or for thinking How could I have spent so much? It's a day for How lucky am I?  


How lucky indeed. 


Christmas is more than a celebration, it's a connection we all can share regardless of faith, if we look at it as a day of Peace. A day to relax; to forgive, if not forget. To be at Peace. 


Every year I get the same question from friends and strangers alike: What are you getting for Christmas? What do you want for Christmas? 


And I always say, What I get is a lovely day. What I want, and I ask for it every year, is Peace On Earth. 


So here's to Peace On Earth, and the little parts that each of us play in creating our own peace. To make amends to those we may have slighted in the past year; to those who may have slighted us. To talk with the people we love just because we love them. To be nice. 


Just to be nice. There's a concept.  


Maybe if we all took a moment to think about how we'd like to be treated, we would find ourselves treating others the same way. It's a small step, but an important one. A Please here and a Thank You there. You're Welcome is good, too, though My pleasure, is better. Hold a door open for someone; let someone with less packages get in line ahead of you. Lay off the horn. Don't speed. Smile. Be nice. 


Be at Peace.

Merry Christmas world. 
Happy Hanukkah. 
Happy Kwanzaa. 
Merry Festivus. 
Happy Holidays.
Peace.  

And so that's my wish for you and yours. Health. Happiness. Love. Peace. 


And, while I've said it over and over again, that I have my personal spiritual beliefs and they do not follow the teachings of any organized religion, every Christmas, no song makes me feel more peaceful, more happy, more at ease, more hopeful than this one. And so I'll end with O Holy Night not because I am a religious man, but because I am a hopeful man, a peaceful man, a contented man, And no one, for me, sings it better than my girl, JHud.....Jennifer Hudson. 

12 comments:

  1. happy "just married" xmess to you and carlos!

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  2. Nobody says it better!
    Even Abby extends a paw in friendship to all your furry kids.
    xoxoxoxox

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  3. Nicely said, Bob.
    On this day itself here's wishing you and C all the very best - and never forgetting the three 'kiddies' too. Have a fab and 'merry' day!

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  4. Wishing you, Carlos and the kids a peaceful day.

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  5. Again....Merry Christmas wishes to you both.....the newlyweds!!!!!!! Xoxoxo

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  6. Merry Christmas to you both from the House of Jones!

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  7. Well said Bob. You and I are simpatico. I knew I liked you! Just one wish, The Golden Rule, treat others the way you wish to be treated. Peace and happiness Bob to you and yours.
    Ron

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  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOwFJVvs8Z0 this is my favourite carol; I think it echoes your hope for peace on earth, sadly unlikely in current circumstances. I hope you and Carlos had a quiet and happy time together

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  9. Right back at ya Bob!
    I hope you and Carlos had a wonderful day and I wish you both, and the fur-kids the best new year ever!

    xoxox
    w

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  10. ¡Feliz Navidad to you and Carlos! And thanks for sharing your world and your enlightened view throughout the year.

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  11. Amen to everything written in this post, Bob!!

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  12. When the eldest son was around 6, we took the kids to the mall and let them pick a name of a child their age and gender to buy a toy for from the angel tree. It was a mite tricky trying to explain the idea to a 3 year old, but must have done ok, because they gave the toy to the collection lady.

    To us christmas is the season to remember to care about your neighbor.

    love this post of yours!

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