This holiday season is an opportunity to appreciate, despite the trials and turmoil that sometimes dominate us, the goodness of those in our lives. Critical thinking is an important element of a complete life, but when embraced too fully on a personal level it risks turning us into cynics. The individual members of our family, our friends, the folks we work with, acquaintances and neighbors are each as incomplete, frail, and fraught with occasional despair as we are. Like us, they are too often prone to the sharp word, the thoughtless gesture, to being consumed with their own interior dialogue . We know what that’s like, of course, because each of us falls into the slough of despond more often than we would prefer.
Why are all of these relationships worth sustaining and encouraging? It’s simple really. The people around us provide the light that illuminates our darkness. In the best of circumstances they love us – and even like us – while knowing who we actually are. Despite all of our faults and failings they keep us in their lives, and they make conscious choices every day to recognize and celebrate our worth.
So let’s cut those around us some slack this holiday season, and make a conscious choice to celebrate the good who they are.
Happy Hannukah, Merry Christmas & much love to us all!
