Will there be the gift of play?
It might be easy to run away to a monastery, away from the commercialization, the hectic hustle, the demanding family responsibilities of Christmas-time. Then we would have a holy Christmas. But we would forget the lesson that we who are followers of Jesus do not run from the secular; rather we try to transform it. It is our mission to make holy the secular aspects of Christmas just as the early Christians baptized the Christmas tree. And we do this by being holy people — kind, patient, generous, loving, laughing people — no matter how maddening is the Christmas rush…
— Fr. Andrew Greeley
Woman’s Day 12-22-81
Despite my reluctance to join the ranks of those who have merchandized the spirit right out of Christmas I am raising my voice in praise of toys. Yes, TOYS! I am of the not-so-humble opinion that toys are a secular aspect of Christmas that we should run toward… and, in childlike fascination, we should revel in the creativity and imaginative play that toys engender.
Surely all God’s people like to play…
— John Muir
BTW – you Facebook-ers – have you helped assure that one more needy child will receive a very special Christmas gift because of your daily efforts? ABC7 reports 50,000 clicks to their Spark of Love Toy Drive but their goal is 70,000! Help them get there by December 23 – every day your click contributes $1 and helps buy one more playful toy for a needy child:
LIKE IT!
“Like” ABC7 on Facebook and a $1 donation goes to the Spark of Love Toy Drive, thanks to our partners! (From now to Dec. 23)
See – there are some good things you can do even if YOU are one of the harried and hurried.
Ok, back to toys and transformation… In keeping with today’s techno-savvy world, a very playful social media maven created a clever telling of the Nativity Story – click on the link and then HOLD ON TIGHT for a Digital telling of the Christmas story – brought to you via the techno-toys of today’s generation: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google, Wikipedia, Google Maps, GMail, Foursquare, Amazon… and by reader Xelliott123’s 11 year old, techno-savvy granddaughter! Continue reading » Under the Tree – What Gifts Will You Find?
Do you find it hard to accept help when it’s offered? I do.
Receiving – the ability to fully accept gifts and enjoy and appreciate being given to – is an essential part of the human relationship equation. It is the complement of giving and just as important.
— Melissa McCreery
As I bask in the sweetness of the photo above, I realize that there is something very touching about how this little-girl-in-blue bestows her quiet trust upon the protective grown-up who walks beside her. She’s obviously not entangled in the terrible two’s, the “ME do it” stage in life!
Ah! If – only us grumps – that would be “grown-ups” – could so easily accept help when Continue reading » Embracing the Gift of a Helping Hand
Is someone in your life waiting and hoping for a well-deserved compliment that lets them know “I see you”?
Because of you I am standing tall. My heart is full of endless gratitude. You were the one to guide me through… the only question with me now is, “Do I make you proud?”
— Taylor Hicks
The season of giving is upon us and we – each and every one of us – have the wherewithal to give the most priceless gifts of all – honest and thoughtful compliments that show the special people in our lives “I see you”. Such gifts cost us but a bit of mental and social effort, a focused recognition of another person’s efforts and intentions… and a willingness to put ourselves “out there”.
And so I challenge us all (you and me) to step out of our own ego-centric bubbles this month, to look with new eyes, to listen with new ears, to perceive with new sensitivity… and to notice how we could gift our loved ones (and perhaps even some strangers who pop in and out of our lives) with priceless treasures only we can give… treasures that come from our Continue reading » Do I Make You Proud?
He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.
— J.F. Clarke
What are you good at? Do you appreciate your gifts? Have you ever been told that something you thought of as a gift wasn’t really a gift? (I have the gift of gab, and yet some seem to think that it’s a curse. Hmmm.) As I get older, I’ve realized that whether something is perceived as good or bad depends largely on where you stand.
My friend Teri moved up the coast to a small town only a few miles from the beach where the marine layer tends to keep things temperate. She moved from Oldtown four hours to the southeast. Both towns are rural. They both have things that those of us from the “big city” think are weird – for example, Oldtown has a resident miniature camel. The residents of both towns tend to think like people from rural areas. When I was up visiting her, I actually said, this is just Oldtown with water and shade. She essentially agreed.
Now, before she had moved up the coast, she had very little patience for the rural residents of Oldtown. Up the coast, they’re somehow more charming. The real difference is Continue reading » Creating Success From Your Strengths
You’re almost there – squeeze in some time to savor the gifts of the season!
There’s nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.
— Erma Bombeck
The carol exclaims: Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat!
The children fuss: WHEN will it be Christmas???
And the parents plead: So much to do, slow down, slow down…
You’re almost there… I invite you to heed Erma Bombeck’s advice and let your inner child come out to play… find ways to savor the joys and blessings of these last few days of Christmas.
The To-Do List That Stole Christmas
Sure, your list is 10 days long and your time-line is down to 48 hours or less… what’s a body to do? Continue reading » Savoring the Gifts of the Season
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