Christmas 4 – generating an impact

A day, a night, there was a dream.

Standing on a hill, by looking back, there was something interesting: a dry Christmas tree... For a moment, past Christmases came to the mind with his joy and energy, with children and the elderly, with gifts and promises of gifts. A smile emerged, in this strange dream, and the thought about how all these moments would have impacted a life. There was a memory of a strange gift that appeared on a desk, which made looking at co-workers differently...

On this hill, looking around there was this cute Christmas tree. Without wanting or thinking, the tree came closer. On each branch, there was a photo and it was a person present in life, but the photos had different shades: in very light tones, beloved people; in dark tones, people with whom there were serious problems, and in gray, photos of estranged people for a long time... Under the tree, some gifts were waiting to be opened and the thought was about how this would impact life in the long run. In present times, gifts are usually disposable, temporary, but... But the love present in each one... In the dream, the love of each gift appeared like a soft cloud sparkling sweetly. Yes, this would stay forever.

Then, looking forward: a large seed was waiting on the ground. It looked like an egg and it was easy to guess that it was the future Christmas. The future years of life. It wasn't green, it wasn't that pretty; It wasn't gray or ugly either. Just this seed on the ground, which touched the heart more than the other Christmas trees, because there was the understanding future was ugly or beautiful. Future was still being created. At this very moment.

This Christmas will have a phenomenal impact on the future Christmases we will live.

Again, a smile appeared on face and soon, to wake up, to live the present Christmas and to generate the future Christmas.

And you, how much will your present life impact your future Christmas?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas 3 – celebrating with others

When it's Christmas, she likes to celebrate with the people from her office. TWO PARTIES! One with the morning shift, the other with the night shift. She loves it... but...

When it's Christmas, this sweet couple loves to be with their families. TWO FAMILIES! Hers is funny; his is serious; a very interesting balance. They really like it… but…

When it's Christmas, they cook for the whole neighborhood. There are many very old people, some families where the parents work too much and their food comes with a very special energy for everyone. This family really likes to cook for everyone... but...

When it's Christmas, the doctor and his wife, a teacher, go to remote places, bringing gifts that no one else wants. Both experience extraordinary happiness... but...

They celebrate a lot with others, but something is missing. Something in their life, so when they finish their activities…

They meditate a bit...

They pray…

Read something that lifts their spirit...

Together they watch a movie that could change their lives...

And they sleep with a sweet smile, the smile of those who REALLY celebrated Christmas.

Christmas 2 – celebrating with your own self

What would happen if you are somewhere during Christmas and you don’t have anybody else with whom to celebrate?

It happened to me: many years ago, I’ve moved to live in Santiago, Chile, and when Christmas came, I was all by myself.

OK, not exactly alone, because I was working and I had co-workers, but nobody I could call friend or family and that is with whom I would celebrate such an important festival. Besides, to be very sincere, I have never given importance to Christmas until that year.

When I felt a bit of loneliness as Christmas time was coming closer, I decided to do something about it: I called a few people I gave a meditation course and I asked them if they would like to come.

Although they were not my friends, there was a good feeling in relation to them and about 8 people accepted. It was wonderful: the energy, the conversations, the food! I think that was the best pie I have ever cooked!

I dedicated a long time and energy preparing the program, including the lunch, for all of us. That time and energy was useful and I saw the results when Christmas eve came, for I was feeling totally satisfied, even though physically I was at my place, alone.

It is a realization that it was not the company of other people that was important as much as it was, and still is, the company of my own self.

Don’t forget yourself amidst all parties and celebrations…

Christmas 1 – the meaning is…

“Party!”

“Food!”

“Gifts!”

The apparent argument between the three kids was in relation to an essay asked by their teacher on a very simple subject:

The meaning of Christmas is…

For Jessica, there was not a best party as the ones she held for Christmas, with her family and friends all together. But for Oscar, food was the reason he used to go to parties; the 15-year-old boy loved his grandma’s cooking.

Joey had shinning eyes when he talked about the gifts he received for last Christmas – all very expensive. For this year, he was expecting to receive a surprise…

While walking, they met their classmate, Omar, who was with his little siblings. They all knew his family’s financial situation was not the best, but Jessica couldn’t refrain to ask him what he thought of Christmas.

He looked at them very surprised with the question, although he had to do the same essay as them, but he responded very firmly, and a little upset: “Work.” And he left.

For some reason, the three stopped talking and they walked slower than before to their houses. The first one to take leave from them was Jessica who could only think of Omar, working during this time, since he did not have both parents. She liked drawing and she did a beautiful portrait of Omar with both parents and siblings, playing very gladly with a Christmas tree at the background.

Then it was time for Oscar to take leave; as always, they were waiting for him with a big lunch, but for some reason, he couldn’t eat. After lunch was over, he went to his mother and asked if he could take food to someone he knew…

Joey did not greet any of his parents, since he entered his house through his secret door (he jumped his bedroom window)! He opened his wardrobe in a very fast way, got lots of things and start to prepare boxes. His parents came at that moment and after learning what he was doing, they decided to help him and do the same in their own bedrooms. It took them some time and eventually they filled their car with many boxes. And they left.

The first to arrive was Oscar who rang the bell. Omar’s mother opened the door with an inquisitive but kind face. By his side, Oscar’s mother was carrying a trolley full of containers and before his son said anything she mumbled about some left-over and if she would like to have those. Without waiting for an answer, she took the woman’s hand and both went to their kitchen, leaving Omar alone with Oscar.

“Tha…” before Omar could finish the phrase, a big car parked just in front of his house. Joey and his parents get off it and started unloading a few boxes.

“Hey, Omar, Oscar, come and help. These are things that I am sure will be very useful.”

By now, Omar’s mother was at the door, extremely surprised and a little embarrassed. After an apologetic comment, Joey’s father commented on we are neighbors, don’t worry. And he filled their living room with so many boxes.

When Jessica and her aunt came by Omar’s house – her parents were out of town – she found all the three families enjoying themselves a lot. She presented her drawing to Omar and his mother, and extended a deep invitation to everyone there to be at their house on Christmas eve.

They solved the meaning of Christmas…

Have you?