With Christmas so close, I suspect many of us have forgotten what happened on December 7, 1941.
Yes, the United States of America was yanked into a war we thought we could avoid. Much damage was done and many people died that day and for the rest of the second war that involved countries all over the world. Today such a war would involve weapons that could destroy the world, or at least the world as we know it.
The title is Happy Friday, December 8 because we are in the midst of a season of giving and celebration. We mustn't forget history or the reason for the Christmas Season. More than 2,000 years ago a man was born to change the world for the better, to give mankind hope and teach us to love our neighbors and live in peace.
This is not intended to be a sermon, though I learned much from my Baptist preacher daddy whose story I will tell in a later blog. I can preach with the best!
Making a difference is a goal we should each embrace every day. There are so many ways to we can do this. Writers and artists aim to reach a lot of people we will never see in person. We can offer hope or just respite from difficult situations. We make folks laugh and cry and believe happiness can be theirs.
1. Smile at everyone tomorrow and the next day. Watch people return the smiles.
2. Allow yourself to do things that make you feel good. People around you will catch your good moods. I wear jewelry that makes me smile or even grin at the extravagance. I like bright, shiny things.
3. Instead of mumbling greetings we don't really mean, mean them! "How are you?" we ask, then continue to walk without waiting for a response, or we stay in the same place but tune out and miss the answer. Ask the question and listen for the answer.
4. "Have a nice day." Take the time to look a person in the eye when you say that. SMILE. Reach out with your spirit and send support to that person. (If said person is a great looking man, well.. Just kidding.)
5. Offer a compliment and watch the person you compliment smile. When someone says something nice about you, smile and accept it.
6. Be thankful you can read this message on a computer in s house with running water and indoor bathrooms and...
7 - Opinions? Thoughts? Suggestions? Everyone responding will get a free download of the Christmas book I am trying to publish in the next day or two.
Christmas's Best Bet, Humble Pie.
A self-centered, wealthy lawyer learns humility when he loses a bet and has to work at a Waffle House as for a month.
Happy Friday, December 8 and Merry Christmas if I don't see you or talk to you before December 25.
Great post and good reminders. I lived in Hawaii for ten years, visiting Pearl Harbor is a reminder of that awful day, it's a beautiful sad memorial.
Mary I love the title for your Christmas story. I liked your advice for happy day and know that you practice what you preach. You always smile and mean it. I am developing a fondness for jewelry--have always loved bright, shiny things.!
Excellent post with much needed reminders. You and Hildie have both given us timely inspiration this week.I didn't know you papa was a Baptist preacher! Wow. You are full of secrets MM.
Hildie,
I went to Hawaii with my Ex and his parents years ago. We stayed 10 days and visited 3 islands. Amazing! My daughter had a fabulous time.
The Ex visited the memorial, but his parents and I didn't. They were older and she said they didn't need to do a lot of walking. I just can't handle being in places where there is a lot of grief. It overwhelms me.
Linda, 2 of my grown "boys made several suggestions and wanted to win the contest. I had considered similar answer, so...
Hon, a kind word and a smile can make my otherwise crappy day. Isn't jewelry fun? Wearing it is like playing "dress up" like we did as kids.
Beth,
Yep, my truck-driver daddy with a 9th grade education decided he had "been called" to be a preacher. He got his GED and went to college and became a teacher and a preacher.
December 7th? Yes I remember because I grew up with a sailor father who served in the Navy during WWII. His ship was stationed at Pearl in December 1941. The went out of port on a stand mission, lost the engines and were stranded at sea on the 7th of December. In his words, "We limped back to Pearl and all hell had broke loose. Imagine, if they hadn't lost that engine, I probably wouldn't be here. The other reason I remember the date is my mother passed away on December 9, 1969. So I somehow relate the two.
Scarlet, I'm glad your daddy wasn't in the harbor!
It's interesting the way we relate dates to remember them.
For so many people, that is such ancient history it means nothing to them.
Hi, Mary! It's always nice to be reminded of the importance of living well every day, not just at Xmas, though I love the idea of people being a little kinder, a little more gentle in the spirit of Christmas. December 7th is a very important day and like you, I sometimes feel it's importance is lost in the preparation for the holidays. Thanks for the reminder!
Great post! Can't wait to read your Christmas story!
Thanks, Judy. when life is going well, forgetting the events that shape our history is too easy.
Holidays have become so commercial, we can easily forget the reason for the celebration.
Mary R, technical difficulties beyond my control delayed the uploading, but I WILL do that tomorrow evening!
Mary, this is a lovely post. It made me cry; it made me laugh. Thanks for brightening my day and giving me something worthy to think about.
Well said, MM. We're all rushing around this time of the year, and it's more important to compliment and ask people how they are sincerely.