This is the time of year when it's good to remember all of the many positive elements in our lives...and to remember to include others in our more insular worlds.
The simplest way of helping another is to share a smile...in a line at a store, say...one never knows what is happening in the life of the person next to us...we go through our days in the company of strangers. Did they just come from visiting someone in the hospital, in an extended care facility, are they caregivers in a home situation, is there a developmentally challenged child in their family, did they just lose their job, are they alone at this holiday season? It doesn't take much and doesn't cost dollars to be able to share a smile, to pass along a moment of warmth and light at this very dark time of year.
It is economically tight for most of us...the need is great, though. Food bank donations, SPCA donations, Salvation Army donations...smaller equivalent events community to community, and on Salt Spring there's also the Copper Kettle. In spite of the huge global unrest, with no roadmap to give guidance right at this exact moment, there is much to be thankful for.
I always love reading Charles Dickens' famous Christmas story, at this time of year: A Christmas Carol. Even though we've all seen varying film versions, including a cartoon option, the words right from the writer's pen do sum it up...especially at this time of year, we need to remember our roles as beings to spread good cheer, to remember the welfare of our fellow man, to emphasize the positive outcomes, always, no matter how difficult our circumstances.
Tough, I know, but there it is, generation to generation...what foot will you put forward today, at this time of tradition, memory, forgiveness, and gratitude? It can start with a simple smile....
And your thoughts are? Always welcome.....
How may I help you to discover special Salt Spring Island & the Southern Gulf Islands? Call me!
