| DECEMBER 2008 -- As we welcome in this season of joy and birth may we turn our hearts away from ourselves and to others. Soon after we are born we develop a basic flaw- self centeredness. We think the world revolves around us and everyone else is here to make us happy and comfortable. First we get all our needs taken care of and then we start getting things from these people. Then we start getting more things and we cannot seem to get enough. As we grow older we not only see all the things others have, we hear all the things we should have and deserve.
Then some of the harsh realities of life set in. Two of the first lessons we learn are “No” and “Share”. Talk about hard lessons! So as we mature we come to realize we are not really the center of the universe, even though we would like to be. It also occurs to us that the people we like the most are the ones who are caring, loving and giving. Another thought that occurs to us is that the people that we would much rather be around are these people, rather than the ones that are uncaring, cold and selfish. And somewhere along the line we face the important question, “Which kind of person do we want to be, givers or takers?” This battle rages on for a lifetime.
Our problem is when those things become too important. It’s what happens when we do not understand that giving and receiving, sowing and reaping, are all part of the natural flow of life. May you and your families have a blessed holiday season. |
