Categories
Christmas holiday

Merry Christmas! (Without the Bling)

Cartoon of two boys staring at a manger. On says, "You know something? The first Christmas didn't have much bling... except for the angel thing."

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

Cartoon of two boys staring at a manger. On says, "You know something? The first Christmas didn't have much bling... except for the angel thing."

There was no big, Griswold Family Christmas tree. There were no ugly Christmas sweaters. There was not fruitcake, mistletoe or tinsel. Until the angels made the announcement, no one knew or cared except for the cold, exhausted couple that had nowhere to place the baby except in an animal trough.

As you celebrate today, I hope you are able to take some time, reflect and be thankful for what you have. May you find an opportunity to share kind words, good food, and some joy. Merry Christmas!

Categories
Christmas holiday

Clearer Christmas Requests

Cartoon of a boy and a letter carrier at the post office. The boy says, "It's a letter to Santa. My hopes and fears of all the years are mailed with thee tonight."

It’s a foggy Christmas Eve morning in Ohio. Somebody better get Rudolph ready just in case Santa needs to make a last-minute stop at the Waffle House.

Foggy winter morning in Ohio

I sure hope you sent your letter to Santa before the fog set in. because time is running out! Wait a minute… do kids send text messages or email to Santa now? I guess that would buy a little more time. Who knows how long it takes to get a letter up there, or the cost of overnighting it!

How we get a message across is important. Sometimes, it can be easy to speak a request.

  • Santa, I want a pony.
  • Honey, please clean up this mess.
  • Please don’t bring your fruitcake.

Other messages are much more subtle and leave room for interpretation.

  • Mom, how much does a pony eat?
  • Wow! Look at this mess!
  • Are you bringing fruitcake again?

The second set of statements is much less clear. Family Christmas gatherings can be filled with nuanced conversations and foggy statements. I will resolve to make my point clear if I am wanting a specific outcome.

By the way, Mom and Dad, I don’t want a pony for Christmas anymore. If you get me one, it would only end up at your house.

Categories
Christmas holiday

A Reality Show Christmas

Cartoon of an elf and Santa Claus. The elf says, "It's another cable TV producer asking if we'd like to be in a reality show."

Do reality shows have anything to do with reality? Do reality shows fit in with Christmas? Would Santa even think about being on a reality show without checking it twice? Because they are mostly naughty, not nice.

Cartoon of an elf and Santa Claus. The elf says, "It's another cable TV producer asking if we'd like to be in a reality show."

Reality shows aren’t much fun unless there is some manufactured conflict. Peace on earth is not a great line for the entertainment industry. Happily ever after is the part of the story no television producer wants to touch. Let’s face it! no reality show would want to visit the North Pole unless there was a chance they could incite an elf riot against their jolly old boss. It reminds me of a December 23, 1981, Bloom County comic strip.

There is plenty of conflict going around without manufacturing new ones. As I begin this week of Christmas, I choose to think of all my blessings in the past year and look ahead to the coming new year and a new decade. May your holiday be less of a reality show and more of a happily ever after.

Categories
Attitude

Why we Can't Stand Grinchie Porch Pirates

Cartoon of a policeman interrogating Santa Claus. Santa says, "But you have to believe me! Santa is not a port pirate!"

Santa Claus is the antithesis of porch pirates. We love the story of Santa Claus because he gives presents. Porch pirates, on the other hand, steal them. A study shows as of this year, (2019) over a third of Americans have had delivered packages stolen from their front porches.

Cartoon of a policeman interrogating Santa Claus. Santa says, "But you have to believe me! Santa is not a port pirate!"
We believe you, Santa. You are nothing like a porch pirate!

It is much better to be a giver than a taker. That should go without saying. Yet, when I get into a scarcity mentality, it can be easy for me to think of what I can get instead of what I can give. If I start to believe there is only a limited amount of resources, I begin to get selfish. It happens to all of us.

That’s when I remind myself it is much better to give than receive. It is much better to be a blessing than to make it all about me. It’s much better to have an abundance mentality and to give freely.

May you be blessed this Christmas and be a blessing to others. No porch pirates allowed!

Categories
motivation Running

Thoughts on a Winter Solstice Run

Winter Solstice Sunrise in Southwest Ohio
Winter Solstice Sunrise in Southwest Ohio

After a couple of very cold days, this morning was a perfect time for a winter morning run. The temperature was hovering around the freezing mark. Most of the snow had melted on the asphalt trail, though there were some snowy and icy spots where trees have kept the sun at bay.

  • Winter scene along the Wolf Creek Recreational trail, Brookville, Ohio
    Winter Along the Wolf Creek Recreational Trail
  • Winter Solstice Sunrise in Southwest Ohio
    Winter Solstice Sunrise in Southwest Ohio
  • Early winter morning along the Wolf Creek Recreational Trail
    Early Winter Morning Along the Wolf Creek Recreational Trail
  • Winter farm field near US 40, Brookville, Ohio
    Winter Farm Field Near US 40, Brookville, Ohio

I noticed a few things on my morning run:

  • The sun was shining through the clouds. Frequently this time of year, the sun shines in the morning and it becomes overcast later. If I want to see the sun, I need to get up for it.
  • No one else was on the trail. Yet there were scores of human footprints, bike tracks, and animal tracks. I don’t always realize that though I am alone, many have come before me.
  • I rarely notice when the wind is at my back, but I know when I am heading into it. I need to remember to take the time to thank those that have given me a tailwind instead of focusing on the headwinds.
  • Sore, tight muscles come when I’ve taken a few days off. But after a couple of miles, I forget they were aching. It reminds me to push through and know that things will get easier.

Winter officially arrives tonight. Seasons come and go. Each has their good times and challenges. May you have a great Christmas and new year. Let’s welcome the new decade, be positive and do the things that lead to success.