December 2009

What do you do if your “To Do” list is so long, that it takes all the pleasure and anticipation out of your holiday plans? What happens if you don’t have the money for gifts? Well you are not alone. Despite society’s expectations this can be a tough time of year for many people. So why don’t we take a moment to acknowledge that and then begin to think about a different kind of “To Do” list---a list that reminds us of where our joy and peace truly are, a list that dose not involve crowded shopping malls, wrapping paper, or credit card bills. This “To Do List” is really a gift from you to you, which is all the more special because it spills over on to others: it says that it’s okay to slow down, it’s good to laugh, it feels wonderful to express your appreciation for someone, it is refreshing to pray and to give thanks, it is healing to take a walk in God’s creation, it is energizing to just break loose and have some fun. It does your heart good to let your childlike enthusiasm show, it brings you joy to be nice-just plain nice-to yourself and to those around you. J. Petit-Senn says it’s “not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.” This holiday season throw out the list, smile, and take pleasure in living, family, and love.

Peace, Joy, and God’s Love!

Chap