This week, millions of people around the world observe
Christmas and almost everyone in our culture will be
reminded of the power of love, hope, and community.
While Christians honor the birth of Jesus, I've long been
struck that every faith celebrates this time of year, and
even atheists celebrate the change of seasons. In the
Northern hemisphere, we refer to it as the Winter Solstice,
while our friends "down under" celebrate their Summer
Solstice.
Whatever we call it, every culture on Earth notices the
transformation. The days get longer (here in the north),
the weather warms up, and in a few weeks, the earth turns
green and life emerges from its winter cocoon. This is
amazing, and it happens every year!
No wonder we look for reasons to sing and dance, to join
together and affirm our love for one another. It's as if
the earth is reminding us that hope and life are renewable,
undefeated, and eternal. It's a miracle!
And I notice, that this season and our celebrations seem to
demand that we get along with each other. Celebrations
require companionship and sharing. There is something very
strange about celebrating alone. Celebration is a SHARED
event.
We gather in houses of worship, and as families, tribes and
communities. We gather to share a meal, to sing around the
piano or to light candles. Despite crowded roads, bad
weather and the stress of flying, millions will travel to
be with loved ones this week. In times of great
celebration, we need to be together.
Christmas and almost everyone in our culture will be
reminded of the power of love, hope, and community.
While Christians honor the birth of Jesus, I've long been
struck that every faith celebrates this time of year, and
even atheists celebrate the change of seasons. In the
Northern hemisphere, we refer to it as the Winter Solstice,
while our friends "down under" celebrate their Summer
Solstice.
Whatever we call it, every culture on Earth notices the
transformation. The days get longer (here in the north),
the weather warms up, and in a few weeks, the earth turns
green and life emerges from its winter cocoon. This is
amazing, and it happens every year!
No wonder we look for reasons to sing and dance, to join
together and affirm our love for one another. It's as if
the earth is reminding us that hope and life are renewable,
undefeated, and eternal. It's a miracle!
And I notice, that this season and our celebrations seem to
demand that we get along with each other. Celebrations
require companionship and sharing. There is something very
strange about celebrating alone. Celebration is a SHARED
event.
We gather in houses of worship, and as families, tribes and
communities. We gather to share a meal, to sing around the
piano or to light candles. Despite crowded roads, bad
weather and the stress of flying, millions will travel to
be with loved ones this week. In times of great
celebration, we need to be together.
Last week, I did a presentation on setting sales and profit
goals for 2016 and I focused on the fact that to get paid
well, we must cooperate with other people. Whether in
partnerships, joint ventures, or by providing superior
service over the long-haul, we NEED each other to be
successful.
I was struck that we need each other at every possible
level. I need people to produce everything I consume, from
assembling this computer, to providing my food. I need
friends and family for support. I need customers and
clients for income, and I need a entrepreneurs,
entertainers, engineers, cooks and waiters and pilots and
welders and teachers to create the life I take for granted
every day. Without those thousands of people, my world
could not exist.
"We get by with a little help from our friends." And the
nice thing is, we live on a small planet and it turns out
everyone on it is (in one way or another) a partner in
making this place livable, comfortable and healthy.
As my family celebrates Christmas this week, I have a
couple of suggestions to pass along:
1. In your own tradition and in your own community, give
thanks. Remember the past, pray for one another, hold each
other, and note how rich you truly are!
2. Join someone in celebrating a tradition or language or
culture different than your own. You may get to try new
foods, learn new songs, find new friends, even make a new
customer! Reach out. Have fun.
3. In your own way, contribute to peace and joy, faith,
hope and community. Give a gift, shake a hand. Smile. Buy
someone a meal or pat them on the back. Make a positive
difference.
Today, Monday the 21st, will be the Solstice which means
from now on the days get longer and warmer! Starting
today, the sun returns with its warmth, its light and its
promise. With the coming of the sun and a new season, let
this be a time of peace on earth, goodwill towards all.
goals for 2016 and I focused on the fact that to get paid
well, we must cooperate with other people. Whether in
partnerships, joint ventures, or by providing superior
service over the long-haul, we NEED each other to be
successful.
I was struck that we need each other at every possible
level. I need people to produce everything I consume, from
assembling this computer, to providing my food. I need
friends and family for support. I need customers and
clients for income, and I need a entrepreneurs,
entertainers, engineers, cooks and waiters and pilots and
welders and teachers to create the life I take for granted
every day. Without those thousands of people, my world
could not exist.
"We get by with a little help from our friends." And the
nice thing is, we live on a small planet and it turns out
everyone on it is (in one way or another) a partner in
making this place livable, comfortable and healthy.
As my family celebrates Christmas this week, I have a
couple of suggestions to pass along:
1. In your own tradition and in your own community, give
thanks. Remember the past, pray for one another, hold each
other, and note how rich you truly are!
2. Join someone in celebrating a tradition or language or
culture different than your own. You may get to try new
foods, learn new songs, find new friends, even make a new
customer! Reach out. Have fun.
3. In your own way, contribute to peace and joy, faith,
hope and community. Give a gift, shake a hand. Smile. Buy
someone a meal or pat them on the back. Make a positive
difference.
Today, Monday the 21st, will be the Solstice which means
from now on the days get longer and warmer! Starting
today, the sun returns with its warmth, its light and its
promise. With the coming of the sun and a new season, let
this be a time of peace on earth, goodwill towards all.
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