Holiday Blues

This holiday is quite different than last year.  I've moved to a new city.  I have a new addition to the family (granddaughter) and like most of us, I spent more than I had originally planned.  Without small children in the house, Christmas doesn't seem as fun as it used to be.  I find myself thinking about the good ole days.  You know, the days when the family was all together, the kids were young and their faces lit up when opening their gifts.  Even then, the anticipation and days leading up to Christmas was much better than the actual day.  The day after, you often reflect back on the money you could have saved and the things that you probably didn't need to buy. 

If you can feel what I'm saying, then you probably have the holiday blues.  While we're feeling blue about our annual traditional Christmas, have we thought about Christmas in a nontraditional spirit of giving.  Have we thought about serving the homeless, donating our time and funds to people less fortunate, visiting the sick and comforting those in need of comfort.  When I look at my woes, they seem insignificant in comparison.

Working in a religious based organization for many years, made me humble.  A prayer was read on the PA twice each day and every meeting conducted by anyone in the organization was started with a prayer or reflection.  The organization believed that a hospital was a place were healing happened.  The care givers hands were in deed the hands of healing, blessed from a higher being.  No matter what religion you followed, your prayer or reflection was welcomed.  You could remain silent if you wish, or if you choose not to participate, your choice was welcomed. 

Over the years, I shared many prayers and reflections.  I want to share with you one of my favorites that I normally share at this time of the year.  I'm not sure of the author or it's origin but it seems to fit the situation of holiday blues.  As we intangle ourselves in our own woes, let's look at it in a global perspective.   

Count Your Blessings
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survie this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% on the world's wealthiest.

If your parents are still alive and still married, you are very rare, even in the United States and Canada.

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing, that someone was thinking of you, futhermore you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that can not read.

You are truly blessed.  Have a great holiday! 
~ Joseph Conrod Sr. SPHR