Peace

 

2015 has been a year of challenges for most of the world, with violence at home and abroad in the news every day. If it’s not about international military and/or political power struggles, the media is probably telling us about government conflict or sadly, the latest shooting perpetrated by a disturbed individual. I can’t remember the last time when so many people were so angry about so many aspects of the world in which we live.

 

And yet, if you ask how they are, how the family is, nothing much has changed. Friends and family members may get sick, lose a loved one, have trouble at work or experience a bump in the financial road, but most would say they are happy overall – that they live a life that’s good.

 

We may not be able to control what happens outside our circle, but we can control our reaction to it. And we can certainly control our reaction to the events inside our personal world.

During this Christmas, and whatever your holiday season, let’s all promise to:

• Be kinder to each other, including Uncle Tim who tells the same stories every holiday. You’ll miss those stories when he’s gone.
• Be gentler in our responses to each other, even when Auntie May spills her coffee again. You’ll need help someday, too.
• Be less critical of each other. Your way may not be the only way to get the job done.
• Hug a friend. Hugs are full of comfort.
• Smile. Often. You’ll feel better.
• Call a relative or friend that doesn’t get out anymore. Five minutes. That’s all it takes to change a person’s day.
• Give the gift of time. Stop texting and talk to your friends and family face-to-face. Memories are made when people laugh and giggle together.
• Give the gift of forgiveness. Soften your heart and forget the small stuff before it gets to be the big stuff.
• Write a letter and snail mail it to the older people in your life. Not everybody has email.
• Make every day count. Volunteer, serve, donate. Make someone’s life easier.
• Give the gift of love. It means the world.

 

Above all, have a wonderful Christmas/holiday season and a slam dunk great 2016!

 

The Kerrians will be back in January with Charlie’s New Year’s Resolutions. 🙂

 

*Photo by Patti Phillips – Notre Dame Basilica, Montreal, Canada