This Time Of Year

   
     This time of year, the days leading up to Christmas, reveal our values.  Happiness is at the top of the list.  A child's happiness revolves around getting new playthings, and therefore a parent's happiness revolves around presenting these gifts.  We exchange gifts with family and friends. Maturity provides the value of better to give than receive.
     Recreating traditions is valued by many.  Thinking about events in our childhood plus the activities of earlier generations keeps memories alive and adds to family history.   When we are long gone, we want our children and grandchildren to fondly remember us.  Traditions can serve these purposes.
     Another value is spending family time together.  Our school vacations are scheduled to allow for travel and visits.  Many families live miles away from each other, so Christmas becomes a time for reunion.  Wintertime, however, is not the best time to travel because of possible weather  conditions.
     This time of year, we want to lift up our spirits and the spirits of others.  Many people literally light up their lives from decorations in the front yard to their Christmas trees inside.  Our cities even light up the streets with holiday motifs.  Malls and shops use decor and music to motivate their customers.  Many people get into the Christmas spirit by reinforcing their religious beliefs, attending annual parties, and participating in and viewing holiday performances.
     The last thing anyone wants to do is detract from the way people celebrate this time of year, but as we enjoy the season, perhaps we need to broaden our perspective.  For whatever reasons, many people are not happy during this time even when they try to go through the motions. Thousands of people around the world are trying to survive the hardships of war or the horrible political situations of their countries.  Their only happiness may be to obtain shelter, food, and medical care.  In our own country, many  people are homeless, have no meaningful family ties or adequate finances.  Some parents have more children than they can afford.  Many people are suffering from physical, mental, and emotional problems.  Some people do not share the religion that prevails in the US, and December 25 is just another day.
   As we live in our little corner of the world, within our own family and culture, as we expend so much  time, energy, and money on our holidays,  we may need to think about what we are doing and why we are doing it.  After all, no matter how well we multitask, our resources have limits.   Decisions need to made according to what is essential and what is not.
     Enjoy the happiness and family time of the holidays.  Create happiness for yourselves and others everyday of the year.

Repurpose

     Repurpose, transform, and reuse your possessions and your lives because the value is still there.  Since my grandchildren were young, my spare bedroom has been a toy room with a bed for overnight stays plus playthings for the kids: Legos, puzzles, baby dolls and Barbies with clothes made by grandma.  All the grandchildren are now teenagers, so time to repurpose the space back to a guest bedroom.  The task at hand was to go through the toys, keep a few items, take the good stuff to Goodwill, and get rid of the rest.
     We all need to repurpose that which is still valuable but needs updating.  Some of our possessions still serve the original purpose, some may be kept for sentimental reasons, others need to be transformed.  Often we need to repurpose ourselves from career to retirement, from parent to grandparent, from grandparent to friend.  I used to read and sing to my young grandchildren.  Now they teach me the finer points of technology, appreciating football on TV, and dancing The Floss.  We relate now more as friends with good conversations and fun.
     The guest room seems a little empty now, but I hope that the playthings from this former toy room will brighten the lives of other children this Christmas.

Wisdom Through the Generations: Always a Teacher, Always a Student

   
     We all become students as we learn and teachers as we share with others. Wisdom is passed on through the generations.
     As a daughter, I learned from my parents the benefits of staying organized, getting an education, and respecting and helping others.  My mother balanced her job at a bank and her household chores.  My father balanced his job and having a big garden of vegetables. They still had time for friends, bowling, and square dancing.  Everything was organized including assigning chores to me.  My parents also managed their finances well and paid my way through four years of college. They were also ready to help their friends and were especially faithful to a friend with Parkinson’s disease and his wife.
     As a college student, I learned to be a teacher of English for Speakers of Other Languages.  At various times during my 20-year career, I taught elementary and high school students to speak, read, and write in English.  As I taught them about the USA, I learned about their countries of origin.  On occasion, I see former students of mine who have grown into adulthood and have children of their own.  I hope I have added to the quality of their lives.
     When I became a mother of three daughters, I tried to teach them similar values I learned from my parents.  My husband and I encouraged them to get an education, and all three graduated from college.  One of my daughters became a teacher.  As I mothered my children, I had to learn from them what they needed in each stage of development.  We learned from each other.  I now have grandchildren and get such pleasure seeing them grow and develop.  Two of them are already in college.
     Throughout my life, I have enjoyed being a student and a teacher.  In the past few years, I've learned how to write a blog.  Now, one of my daughters is a student, taking a course which includes blogging.  She is becoming a teacher by sharing the info with me.  Always a teacher.  Always a student.