When they still believe

     One of the sweetest times of family life occurs when the children still believe in Santa.  They aren't mature enough to question what their parents have told them about this magical person.  They ask Santa for their hearts' desires, and by being good, they receive wonderful presents.  They haven't begun to doubt how these gifts appear.  In addition to their gifts, children also get great happiness being together with family on Christmas Day.
     One of the sweetest parts of life in general is believing in God and being able to ask Him for our hearts' desires.  The gifts from Him are endless, the most important arriving on the first Christmas Eve.  Both Father and Son show the ways to be good.  The ultimate happiness will occur when believers come together in His presence and are reunited with their families in Heaven.
     Whatever your beliefs may be, enjoy this holiday season.  Hope for peace on earth and have goodwill toward all.

Turmoil

  

  
      When you are in a whirl of constant motion, caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, you may yearn to stop the turmoil and create some peace and quiet.  A certain amount of turmoil is out of your control; however, you may be able to control or eliminate more than you realize.
     Some turmoil may be caused by pressures from society and family.  You do have the power to lessen these influences and decide for yourself what is best.
     Some turmoil may be self-imposed.  Your to-do list may need to be analyzed.  Some things can be done by others, some things are not really essential, and some things need to be deleted.
     Other turmoil may be happening in your mind when you are in a transition of changing your thinking.  Even though you see the value of former opinions, you may have gained new perspective and are in the process of changing your mind.  This can cause turmoil for yourself and sometimes for those around you who are more comfortable with the way you are and prefer you to remain the same.
     Some turmoil we just have to live with, while some may be necessary as we take steps toward change.  We may find it advisable to reduce or eliminate  whatever turmoil we can in order to create a healthier and more peaceful way of life.
   

Desensitize

     Doctors can desensitize patients to relieve pain, lessen the effects of allergies, and cure phobias.  Lives can be greatly improved.
     At times, we may need to desensitize ourselves when we are overly sensitive, take offense at others' behaviors, get our feelings hurt too easily, and hold grudges.  We need to realize when we are being too self-centered.  Our lives will be improved when we thicken our skin, become more sensitive to other people, chill, and not sweat the small stuff.
     Some video games, TV shows, books, and movies can desensitize our normal, healthy reactions.  Overexposure to images of sex and violence can cause us to numb our sensitivity.  We may identify with a character who blurs the lines between good and bad in order to be successful or survive.  Our basic values may shift temporarily or change.
     The right amount of sensitivity is necessary for physical and emotional health.  We need to be on guard when we become too sensitive or when we allow outside influences to weaken our values.
   

More than enough

Imagine living in areas of war, then appreciate our peace.
Imagine living under a dictatorship, then appreciate our democracy.
Imagine living in poverty, then appreciate our beautiful homes.
Imagine having only a few articles of clothing, then look in our full closets.
Imagine having no medical care, then appreciate our healthy lives.
Imagine a dinner table with only the barest essentials, then view your Thanksgiving feast.

Instead of just being thankful for what we have, we need to be grateful for what we can give. Instead of getting happiness from what we can accumulate, we need to get true pleasure from what we can share.  For whatever reasons, many people are in need.  Most of us have more than enough.

Double Whammy

   
     When you don't get what you want and then get what you don't want, you feel a double whammy of disappointment.
     The first whammy comes with the realization that you didn't get what you wanted.  After months of  decisions, discussions, and anticipation, your hopes were dashed.  The second whammy comes with the realization that you got what you didn't want.  Anxiety and fear may have replaced hope.
     Many voters experienced this after the elections.  Easy to say what is done is done and what will be will be.  Harder to stop thinking of what could have been, deal with the disappointment and fear, and go forward.  After a certain period of time, you may see that your worst fears will not materialize.  Somehow, we will work together and solve our problems.  You can survive the double whammy.

Looking back to see forward

     Looking back at our past in order to clarify the present and hopefully improve our future is an ongoing process.  When our past contains more years than our future, we hope age and experience can produce wisdom.
     As we spend time reflecting on our past, we may need to pull away from our preconceived beliefs and opinions in order to form an improved perspective.  This process can be both enlightening and scary.  As you free yourself from the non-essentials, you will feel lighter as though a weight has been lifted from your shoulders.  You will feel more confident and less dependent on what others think.  Almost like watching a movie, you can view your past and present life with an objective eye.
     Many people feel comfortable with their lives just as they are.  They may feel that no changes are necessary or advisable.  They have found contentment.  Other people feel an uneasiness and wish to analyze their thinking of the past and redefine their beliefs and opinions.
     You can question anything.  Lightening will not strike.  Old ideas may be cast aside, traditions may be altered, but then you can enjoy a new freedom.  As you go forward, your new perspective of the world may enable you to better understand yourself and others.  Be brave and design your own future.

Natural Lines

     Has anyone ever died or felt pain from wrinkles?  I'm not referring to skin cancer or any other diseases of the skin.  I'm talking about lines that occur on the face as we age.  Our society views any sign of aging as something to prevent, treat, cover up, or get rid of.  Women, especially, are made to feel less beautiful, less worthy of attention, and even ugly.  They often believe their worth is tied to their appearance and become vulnerable to promises made by chemicals, cosmetics, and surgeries.
     Everyone will eventually live to an age (if they're lucky) that will bring extra lines on the skin.  We shouldn't dishonor an aged face as being less than a younger one.  We have learned that younger is better, and from the time that we are no longer young until the day we die, our society devalues the natural process of added lines.
     As we watch TV ads, we females need to remind ourselves that the main objective behind these commercials is to sell, sell, sell.  They are manipulating the female to feel less confident in her natural appearance and causing her to yearn for a fountain of youth.  They make her feel that beauty may slip away without their products or treatments.  We need to change our perspective and remember that wrinkles won't kill you or even cause you pain.  Women need to develop an inner confidence, to accept our natural beauty that will remain no matter how many lines appear.