BOOK PURCHASE: Discount (above) or PayPal (below)
Click "Buy Now" to continue to PayPal
Click to order eBook - Kindle
Click to order eBook - Nook
Dec
18
Tears and Blessings
Filed Under American Patriotism, Bless Our Troops, Blessings, Christmas, Grace, Grateful, Gratitude, Holiday Season, Homeless, Human Rights, Military, Peace, PTSD, Tears, Tears of a Warrior | Comments Off on Tears and Blessings
By Janet J. Seahorn, Ph.D.
It is a week before Christmas. I absolutely love this time of year. I love the bright lights and colorful ornaments. I love the smells of fir trees and cookies baking in the oven. I love the music reminding me of angels watching overhead, bright tomorrows and Silent Nights, and, for me, the coming of Christ. I love the taste of hot cider, pumpkin pie, and a multitude of holiday fare. Most of all, I love sharing time with family and friends – the hugs of love ones, and even strangers. Smiles, handshakes, a soft touch on a shoulder of a person who may just need to know that someone cares.
Yet, with all the things I love about this season, every year I find myself feeling choked up with both gratitude and tears. Gratitude for all the blessings I have been given and sadness for those who have so little. Perhaps this is the melancholy holiday seasons generate. Perhaps I see the Grinch in many faces, faces that may be suffering deeply from pain, loss, or simple loneliness. Perhaps, more than any wish is one for peace. A wish for true kindness and compassion. A wish that brings all of us together, united in understanding and gentleness.
There is so much divisiveness this year in our world – a division that is tearing us apart and not just in our communities, our country, but the world. Love and compassion is what we have been taught from childhood. Let us not forget our early childhood lessons where we didn’t worry about what a person looked like, how much money they had, or what religion or political party they belonged. As small children, I believe we carried in our hearts the spiritual memory of where we came from.
Maybe this year, we can keep some tears from tumbling from our world’s eyes and hearts. Maybe this year we not only wish for peace on earth but emulate our prayers and wishes by doing what the Christmas song requests – Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin With Me. And maybe, when we have thoughts that aren’t aligned with this peace, perhaps we can change our thoughts and be more compassionate. Maybe, when we look at that person in need and offer a smile, a cup of warm drink, or something to eat.
And maybe, just maybe, even this one small act of kindness will generate a bigger sense of peace within ourselves, our communities, and our world. And maybe, just maybe, we will become closer to the model of that child born so long ago on that cold night with a bright star shining above his manger.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Kwanza and blessing to all.
