The Holidays
After Labor Day, people start focusing on “the holidays”. And there are lots of holidays between now and the end of the year.
Patriot Day, the Jewish High Holidays, Citizenship Day, Native American Day, Grandparents Day, Columbus Day, Boss’ Day, Halloween, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Years are just a few. According to www.timeanddate.com there are 57 holidays or observances between now and the end of the year – and that’s just in North America! While it seems like somebody is celebrating something every day, if it’s one you believe in, it’s a big deal; if not then you probably don’t pay much attention to it. But it’s good to remember that those you don’t know about or celebrate are big to someone, somewhere; and each observant soul expects the rest of us to either know about or respect their holidays.
As the Jewish people get ready to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in the next two weeks, it’s a time of remembrance, reflection and atonement. And while it’s good to do that on these occasions, shouldn’t we be doing those things regularly: like always being mindful of right and wrong, and thinking of those who’ve passed, and striving to be good and righteous? Of course we should – but that doesn’t mean we will.
So every morning you should make it your practice to look down the road and take a few moments to reflect on what happened yesterday, and what any of that means and how you might have been better, and then what you want to accomplish today. You shouldn’t wait for a holiday to reflect on how you should be – take time today, and every day, to focus on the important things in life, and whether you are measuring up to the person you want to be.
My message this week is about having faith and a passion for life:
“It's faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living.”
Patriot Day, the Jewish High Holidays, Citizenship Day, Native American Day, Grandparents Day, Columbus Day, Boss’ Day, Halloween, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Years are just a few. According to www.timeanddate.com there are 57 holidays or observances between now and the end of the year – and that’s just in North America! While it seems like somebody is celebrating something every day, if it’s one you believe in, it’s a big deal; if not then you probably don’t pay much attention to it. But it’s good to remember that those you don’t know about or celebrate are big to someone, somewhere; and each observant soul expects the rest of us to either know about or respect their holidays.
As the Jewish people get ready to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in the next two weeks, it’s a time of remembrance, reflection and atonement. And while it’s good to do that on these occasions, shouldn’t we be doing those things regularly: like always being mindful of right and wrong, and thinking of those who’ve passed, and striving to be good and righteous? Of course we should – but that doesn’t mean we will.
So every morning you should make it your practice to look down the road and take a few moments to reflect on what happened yesterday, and what any of that means and how you might have been better, and then what you want to accomplish today. You shouldn’t wait for a holiday to reflect on how you should be – take time today, and every day, to focus on the important things in life, and whether you are measuring up to the person you want to be.
My message this week is about having faith and a passion for life:
“It's faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living.”
-Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809 – 1894) was an American physician, poet, professor, lecturer, and author. His son Oliver Jr. was a famous Supreme Court Justice.
Is your life worth living today? It’s surprising how many people have to stop and think about the answer to that question. There are those who don’t like what they see in themselves because they think life and work are meaningless. That’s because they either get bogged down in mundane and repetitive tasks that don’t seem motivating or challenging, or have too much to do and not enough time to get it all done, or they feel under-challenged and under-appreciated. While these are true, there are certainly many more who love their work, circumstances and life – and for them the day can’t start early enough. What’s the difference between the two – the first see the glass of life as half empty, the second see it as half full. Because there are glimmers of greatness in everything, the challenge is to find them, build upon them, and let them help you to become more of what you want to be. Find those today and bring all your faith and passion to bear on them. That’s how to make life worth living!
Happy Holidays, and Stay Well!
Is your life worth living today? It’s surprising how many people have to stop and think about the answer to that question. There are those who don’t like what they see in themselves because they think life and work are meaningless. That’s because they either get bogged down in mundane and repetitive tasks that don’t seem motivating or challenging, or have too much to do and not enough time to get it all done, or they feel under-challenged and under-appreciated. While these are true, there are certainly many more who love their work, circumstances and life – and for them the day can’t start early enough. What’s the difference between the two – the first see the glass of life as half empty, the second see it as half full. Because there are glimmers of greatness in everything, the challenge is to find them, build upon them, and let them help you to become more of what you want to be. Find those today and bring all your faith and passion to bear on them. That’s how to make life worth living!
Happy Holidays, and Stay Well!
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