Many people have something to say on New Year’s Eve…but what about the day before the day? Thought I’d try something new. Not a recap of the year because I’ve seen a lot of those and want to be different. Although I must confess that I’ve truly enjoyed the best of the best amusing recaps. :-)
 
Who does this particular entry apply to? The world, the nation and you and me. Everyone. :-)
 
Here are just a few not-so-random thoughts on how we (the world, the nation, you and me…everyone) can be better people in 2022 (readers, please don't don't hate...try to relate):

Be safe
Have Faith
John 3:16
Pray
Pay attention
Note the importance of what is repeated
Try to empathize with those who are different than you
Reach out of your comfort zone and try something new
Help those in need, whether they believe as you or not
Help everyone and expect nothing in return
Know what is worth it and what is not
Know what you are worth and what you are not
What you are is God’s gift to you
What you make of yourself is your gift to God
Rejoice in God’s miracles…they surround each and every one of us
Be still
Be gracious
Forgive rather than resent
Peace, not war
Love love
Hate hate
Decision time: is it worth it to get caught up in divisive political bullshit
Try to police your own bad language 0;-)
Empathy, not sympathy…there are big differences between the two
Appreciate, don’t depreciate
Be silent if your words will serve to harm rather than help
Feel, think and look in the mirror before words of judgement slip from your lips
Laugh
Compromise, don’t radicalize
Note: halfway happy in this upside-down world is better than the unending chaos outside and within
Fear not, have hope
It’s okay to not be okay
It’s okay to say no
It’s okay to ask for help
It’s okay to pause for “me time”
It’s okay to have and pursue your own dreams, goals and aspirations
Be unconditionally kind
Discern what is truly right and good and know what is not
Cherish the past, present and future
Cherish being alive
Open your mind and heart to possibilities and opportunities
Be open to quiet introspection and self-reflection
Get a good night’s sleep…they say a hot shower two hours before bedtime helps
Improve physical and emotional health
Try gaming…proven beneficial to strengthening one’s brain...including happiness
Don’t avoid necessary medical appointments
Be there
Face what scares you
Please wear a mask, shot or not
Please wear a mask, shot or not
Spend more time with loved ones
In with the good, out with the bad
Get in touch with an old family member or friend
Find at least one thing per day that makes you feel blessed and happy
Do one selfless thing for someone else every day
Listen with an open heart and open mind
Be safe
Have Faith
John 3:16
Pray
Pay attention
Note the importance of what is repeated

Merry Christmas Eve!
 
For the past month, I’ve been procrastinating about blogging.
“Have to add something to the blog.”
“MUST add something to the blog.”

I love my little website. That’s not the issue. The issue is being busy and preoccupied. Okay, okay… So playing video games doesn’t mean I’m “busy” per se. Though to be fair, I read that gaming is good for the brain and for overall well-being. If it makes me smarter, happier and is legal, I’ll do it. Um, I might want to rethink that sentence later, but it’s midnight-ish so please forgive me if forgiveness is required. :-) And disregard any spelling or grammatical errors. Being an early bird and a night owl takes a lot of energy. Especially now that I’m officially old. :-)
 
Christmastime… It’s always been my favorite time of year. Is it yours?
 
We all have different feelings about Christmas and the holidays in general. This year, it’s gathered the nickname “COVID Christmas 2021.” For some, it’s the “hap happiest time of year” (to quote Clark Griswold). For others, it’s a time of deep sorrow. For some, it’s a time of celebrating Jesus’ birth. For others, it’s quite different. For some, it’s healthy and happy. For others, it’s challenging health obstacles and depression. You see where I’m going with this, right? I could make comparisons `til the cows come home.
 
They say it’s good for one’s well-being to list at least one happy thing each day. Thoughts. Feelings. Reflections. Blessings. I’ve been trying to do that. I’m not consistent with it, but when I actually do it, I feel good. My happy thing today is remembering Christmastime as a child. The best Christmases of my life were as a child. Before I entered junior high. That’s saying a lot considering I’m 46 now, but good memories are treasures so I’ll take what I can get. :-)
 
Christmastime as a child… With fondness, here are some of the many memories I have of those years:

• Acolyting during Advent services.
• Tripping over the Christmas tree wire when lighting Advent (wreath) candles. I didn’t fall or set anything on fire, but OH the gasps in the church that day…
• Carrying the big brass cross up the aisle during church services without tipping over. I was a little girl without any arm strength…can you blame me?
• Carrying Christmas banners blindly up the aisle without tripping or running into the Cross bearer.
• Finally getting the chance to be Mary in one of the Christmas Pageants, but contracting a case of chickenpox instead.
• Watching a fellow classmate sadly toss his cookies as we sang carols at the front of the church. Poor kid just stood there. The school’s principle did come to the rescue.
• Neighborhood Christmas parties. They were full of good times, excellent food and laughter. I never tried the “special punch”…but my friends and I gorged on sausage cheese balls and chocolate anything.
• Making paper snowflakes and threading popcorn strands for garland.
• Christmas movies and cartoons. Charlie Brown Christmas was at the top of the list. That was made in 1965 and is still beloved by children and adults alike.
• Dad’s old train set. It’s electric. Cool durable cars…mom put Hershey’s Kisses in some of them. Of course those dwindled down little by little by yours truly and dad got blamed for it. That set must be 60ish years or so now. An antique but still awesome and it still works!
• Cookies and milk for Santa.
• Trying to catch Santa.
• Ernie the Elf who delivered gifts to good boys and girls. He announced himself with bells and firecrackers and left gifts on the porch. I was never able to catch him, but his fresh tracks could always be seen in snow.
• Waking before sunrise to open presents. LOL…my parents never got any sleep.
• Oyster stew on Christmas Eve. It’s a 100+ year tradition (dad’s family) that to this day I still have trouble with. Oysters. Ugg.
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.
• Granny P.’s baking powder biscuits. They totally fell apart, but were very yummy.
• Christmas dinner at Grandma and Grandpa L.’s house. There were soooo many people. My Gran fixed the entire scrumptious dinner by herself. So when she served canned cranberries (you know, the solid jelly kind), we didn’t complain.
• Christmas lights.
• Snowball fights.
• Caroling in the snow.
• Piano recitals in the music store where I took lessons.
• The peace and joy of fresh snow Christmas morning.
• Sledding. My parents and I walked like a mile to the best sledding hills (well, it felt like a mile because I had to wear a puffy snowsuit and big boots). I had a round metal saucer. Had some epic experiences. Sure, I tripped up miserably and tumbled down the hill with the other kids sometimes but it was always fun.
• Mittens.
• “Don’t eat the yellow snow.”
• Icicles. The big kind that was good for sword fighting.
• The dollhouse my parents crafted for me…that was so cool. I should’ve kept it and turned it into a bookhaus.
• Dad’s Christmas music mix. Same songs on one CASSETTE TAPE. Old school stuff like Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Still love them.
• “Feety” pajamas.
• And so much more…

 
Relatable?
 
Merry Christmas and God bless you and your loved ones! May your holiday season shine with joy and laughter and may peace, love and prosperity follow you always!