Everlasting Holiday Spirit

The holidays are officially over!  The last of the turkey has either been eaten or thrown away... there is no more pumpkin or sweet potato pie.  For most families, there is no more Christmas tree, and the decorations have been put in the attic, basement or closet for storage until the next holiday season.... but what are those things that we can take from the holidays that we don't have to put away until next year?

What I love about holidays the most is that everyone feels obligated to show how much they care!  For thanksgiving... people say what they are thankful for... tell people "thank you" more often... and are generally more grateful for the things they have.  They open their eyes to their blessings and realize that things could be worse, and sometimes... a couple people reach out to bless those who are far less fortunate to allow them to be thankful as well.  Christmas... the season for giving... people spend every day from "Black Friday" until Christmas Eve combing each and every store for just the right gift for their loved ones.  Everyone is so giving at Christmas time and looking for ways to be kind to others.  Then comes the most celebrated, NEW YEAR'S EVE!!!! At the stroke of midnight, everyone reaches for the one they love to give them a kiss to commemorate another year gone and a new one beginning and showing appreciation for the year past and looking hopeful for the year to come.  The next day, most people declare what their "New Year's Resolution" will be... a lofty goal that they may continue in trying to reach for at least the next 3 weeks before forgetting about it all together!

I'm not saying all this to bash holidays, it is a great time of caring and sharing, but why does it only have to be at certain times of the year? I LOVE the holiday spirit... the excitement that everyone gets when they are looking to do something for someone else.  I LOVE it when people take a moment to figure out what they are TRULY thankful for.  I LOVE when people give to those less fortunate than themselves, or just give because it is the right thing to do.  I LOVE it when people take a moment at the beginning of the new year to make resolution to be a better person or to make changes in their lives to make things better.  What I want to know is why is it that people can't be that way all of the time?  Why is that we only have the "holiday season" to be thankful, to give to others, and to set goals to be better people?

I never make new year's resolutions, and this year will be no different, but going forward, whenever I think about it... I am going to make what I am going to call "New Life Resolutions".  Whenever I think of something that I could do better... I am going to try to do that starting on that day going forward.  My "New Life Resolution" for today is to have everlasting holiday spirit... to be more thankful, to be more giving, and to take each minute, hour, day, week, month and year, as if it was my last and to live life to the fullest, loving everyone as much as I can!    Each day is a chance for a new life.  Today is the first day of the rest of my life...and I will remember that each morning when I am blessed to open my eyes, and will continue with my "holiday spirit" all year long!

I have a dream too....a dream of respect!

Today was Martin Luther King Jr Day... a day to remember the man who had a dream.  Not just the man... but the dream... and those who fought for it.  I don't celebrate men... but I do celebrate the thought that we should all be treated equal.  I do celebrate the idea that we don't want "to be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character".  When days like this come around... at times... it serves its purpose, to raise awareness in social communities and serves as a reminder of those who came before us who fought long and hard to gain the rights and civil liberties that we have.  I was disappointed in what else this day brought about... the jokes from those who do not share the same respect for those who were put in jail, sprayed with fire hoses, attacked by police dogs, or even beaten because they fought for equality.  I have a sense of humor and usually enjoy a good joke, but not today... not about this.  For those who did not live to see the day when we didn't have to worry about what seat we were on in the bus.... or who did not see the day when we could go into any store we wanted... or those who did not see the day when we as minorities could even serve in the highest government office of president... those people... of all colors who marched, and sat, and loved "the dream" enough to put their lives on the line... they deserve more respect than jokes.  Its great that it is a government holiday and many people are off of work to "celebrate" but I think what they fought for is the right to work... the right to get out and do the things that they were held back from for so long.  So if you had to work today, don't complain.... someone was beaten to allow you to have that job regardless of the color of your skin.  If you went shopping today, remember that someone may have been put in jail unjustly for giving you the right to enter that store.  No matter what you did today, someone else paid the price so that you can have the right... so don't limit that to today, but remember all year long, and have a little respect for those who are remembering the dream. Appreciate what you have, and do something with it.  Make that dream worth it for those who didn't live to see it! Martin Luther King Jr had a dream, and I share it.  Those who worked with him to get us to where we are did not do it so that we could sit around and crack jokes, but I know that they would want to know that we are taking what they did and going forward to do bigger things!  They took the first step... its up to us to take the next!

"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." ~Martin Luther King Jr  :  What are you doing to make this happen?