From Blahs to Blessings

The Holidays pose problems for many. Yesterday I wrote about the Holiday Blahs. Today I want to focus on the positive. Doing polar opposite blogs only one day apart is not easy. So let’s see how this works out!

Each of us has many blessings in life. We live with the blessings day in and day out so often lose sight of them. If a blessing is threatened by loss we notice it more and fight to keep it. But much more blesses our life without such notice.

Here’s an anonymous quote from the internet that gets at what I’m talking about:

            “A good life is when you assume nothing,

             Do more, need less, smile often, dream big,

             Laugh a lot and realize how blessed you are.”

See what I mean? The simple things are often the best. Not always noticed or valued until you think about them.

Here’s another anonymous quote from the internet:

            “Sometimes we don’t appreciate what we already have because

             We’re too focused on what we want.”

Wanting…needing…requiring…you provide the word but they don’t really describe the value of what really matters.

The Dalai Lama has many quotes on the internet, here’s another one:

            “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.

             Without them, humanity cannot survive.”

Those are blessings if we love or are loved. Love is the basis for compassion which itself finds love, strengthens love, makes for love. It is also the underpinning of the reality that we need each other. That is what makes us human.

Whatever religious tradition you are invested in – fully or marginally – its central message is peace, love, charity and how they fuse into one to produce serenity and oneness with the world that surrounds each of us.

The world is a complex place. Seemingly different histories – but not really – and certainly divergent cultures. Rather than viewing them as keeping us apart we need to see them as a common thread that tells the story of mankind: Our searching for place, peace and happiness in the world.

Setting aside this time each year to celebrate our search for peace and serenity is a good thing, another blessing! And each religious tradition shares this celebration. May yours be a blessing in your life, now and always. And for your loved ones, too.

Peace.

December 11, 2012