Season's Greetings, friends and followers!
I cannot believe that it's been over 4 weeks since my last blog post... If I were an employed journalist working under deadlines, I'd now be an UNemployed journalist.
I wouldn't qualify it as 'writer's block' because I think about issues, ideas and subjects to write about frequently.
The fact of the matter is, that as a writer I am much more frugal with my words than I am as a speaker - most who know me well would heartily agree, because I'm rarely at a loss for words when it comes to conversation.
OK, I'm ready to write.
As we conclude the first week of December, many of us reflect not only the year that has passed but on our lives: the work we do, our family, friends and loved ones.
I also spend inordinate amounts of time thinking (and feeling) about humanity.
Our world is so incredibly complex, and can be perceived as riddled with conflict, corruption, violence, hatred, etc. While those thoughts do cross my mind, I find it so much more helpful to concentrate on the abundance of love, peace, kindness, compassion and charity that flourishes during the holiday season.
On Tuesday evening, my wife, daughter and I attended a local charity dinner for a young man recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. We dined on hamburgers, fries and iced tea while Jacob and his family/friends served us. Their 'tips', as well as the dinner tickets, were going towards the unexpected costs associated with treating Jacob's HL.
The local establishment, Jerry Bob's in Rita Ranch, offered their staff, grill, everything to Jake's family. Did they do it for the PR? The tax write-off?
No. They did it because they love Jacob and his family, because he's a great kid, a great employee - a great human being.
BTW, thank you for hosting "For the Sake of Jake"!
Why did we attend? We could have grabbed dinner anywhere. Heck, I had a hamburger for lunch. Was it to be seen as 'charitable'? Was it the 'right' thing to do? No. We did it because Jacob is a great kid, a great human being. We wanted, in some small way, to help because people helping people is what makes life worth living.
So, why do we sometimes (or always) choose to be blind to the 'humanity' of humans?
Every one of us is someone's child, parent, friend.
We all need love and compassion to not only function but to thrive.
We have such a short time here.
Our existence and our legacy is determined by our thoughts and deeds with regard to others - all others.
It's December 8th, 2011.
Please consider:
-saying an extra prayer of thanks, and adding people you know (or don't know) to your prayers.
-smiling and saying hello to those around you, even strangers. You may be the only person who gave them any attention today.
-giving freely of your time, talents and money. Your talent is abundant; time and money can't be taken with you when you're finished here so spend wisely. Imagine if every family in America spent $100 less at the holidays, and donated that $100 to a worthy charity? That's about $1 Billion in case you're curious.
-thinking about Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Jesus or the Dalai Lama BEFORE you say anything critical of others. There's no such thing as being non-judgmental, but there definitely is such a thing as less-judgmental. The world is full of different people and sometimes it's easier to just repeat that mantra and move on.
-expressing gratitude for all that you have, all that you HAD, and all that still awaits you.
If I didn't wake up each day, truly believing that I can help to make this world a better place, there would be nothing left for me to do.
I could use a little help.
I hope you'll join me.
Happy holidays.
Love and blessings.
Kirk
