What
do you want for Xmas?
'Tis
the season to be jolly, and Christmas is almost upon us. Saint
Nicholas will be getting ready for his miracle marathon yearly
journey to every house and fireside in the world, and children
everywhere are gleeful in expectations that their dreams will be met.
Or
at least this is what we have been telling ourselves for many
decades....!
Now
I'm certainly not about to rubbish Christmas. No indeed, as it's one
of the few remaining great fables that infuse joy and goodwill into
peoples hearts, (especially children's) that have no really awful
side affects. The spirit of giving that is evident in people is in
itself almost miracle like. But for a few short days this spirit
sadly is all but forgotten as the January sales start again in
earnest, and people become trampled to death for more material
things, in shops ran by people with little care for generosity of
spirit. The celebrations of festive seasonal gaiety are actually
wonderful for bringing about a small but evident change in peoples
reasoning as they communally work towards a few days of peace and
kindness between people they care for and maybe a few strangers too.
Smiling is more common and people actually holding doors for each
other, noticing the bag laden people behind them. Ok, so this is a
bit tongue in cheek, we all know it is often not quite this convivial
and that people are so stressed with getting more things and more
presents, hardly notice even the carol singers doing their bit for
peace on earth, and goodwill to men, fala la la, la la la la...
Without
doubt, Christmas is a time to reflect upon what good and deserving
things have been bestowed upon each and every one of us during the
year. It is a time to consider our part and place in the world and
how well we have served others in that pursuit. We can look back
fondly at the mistakes we have made and decide to make better and
more informed choices in the coming year, and seal that with our
resolutions on the turn of the clock at midnight, new years eve.
So
what are you wanting for Xmas this year?
It
would be my hope that peace fed into the hearts of everyone on the
planet to such a degree that suffering and plight became words we
could remove from the dictionary of common language forever. I'd like
to see poverty given the heave ho, and greed made into a footstool
for the feet of the poor, to rest and refresh. I would also like to
see war become redundant as a way to settle our differences, and true
democracy give peace a chance to get a hold upon the earth and into
the hearts of the populace. YES, it is a long shot. YES it is a long
way from the hearts of many people, who would say it is impossible.
BUT I disagree, and strongly, for I have seen generosity and love
being shown to me and to the people of my fair city, Lincoln over the past year or so. I have seen the glimmering signs for a change to
sweep the county, the country, and the whole world. Love is evident
and active here, a driven desire for peace and sharing and an
expression of fairness to benefit everyone. Yes, with a change of
heart, a clearer vision of the rewards of community living and sharing, people are preparing to be the change we wish to see in the
world.
The
Abundant Earth Community are the ever growing group of people in Lincolnshire, who are looking to serve not just themselves, but the
wider community too, with new initiatives in sustainable living
practices. Please have a look at our project ideas and become
involved. This is a very practical way that we the collective can
have what we really want for Xmas. A chance to know the love of
giving and of sharing our earth and our spirit with one another and
with goodness.
Strangely
enough, I don't believe too many of us really desire much more than
this ourselves. To have things to share and enjoy with our loved
ones. To avoid the neediness and suffering of lack that comes from
fear of not having enough. The Dalai Lama and many clearly less
materialistic people the world over, say that the two defining
principles we as mankind live for are; to be happy and to avoid
suffering. This does make very good sense, and can be actively
seen in all our dealings, both communally and individually. We try
whatever is within our power to avoid the suffering that life seems
to throw at us from time to time, in the pursuit of happiness.
Please
have a rethink, recap the many blessings we have and look at why we
have received them in abundance. When we lack, is it not because we
were ourselves holding back from sharing the greatest gift of all?
Love...
May
we all have a thought for someone less fortunate than ourselves this
Xmas, and make the difference to them and ourselves by being bolder
and more giving. In doing this we will be the change we wish to see
in the world and co-create a wave of hope that will be able to move
mountains. We as human beings have done so many amazing things with
our time over the recent centuries, that used effectively could give
us the courage to be daring too.
So
please let me know your thoughts about this and what you wanted for
Xmas this year.....
I
pray that we all may know Peace, Love and Happiness this year.
Namaste.
Peaceful
Warrior.
