Newness for an old tradition

 

The robot looks strangely at the object he had just assembled at the entrance of the beautiful house.

His daily work is vast, but he does not complain; it is not in its programming... It simply does what it has to do in the best possible way, with the precision of an advanced science.

Everyone praises the quality of its food, both in nutrition and taste. Everyone is surprised by the cleanliness of the house, the clothes so well ironed, the dishes washed and everything else that a home entails.

At night, it sleeps like everyone else, recharging the battery. The next day, it goes back to work based on what it is told.

Even this strange object...

A Christmas tree.

For the robot, it's like anything else, but it's the first time that the inhabitants of that house showed so much interest by participating along with it in the task of the tree. And while the robot watches, people keep placing packages under it. Why?

Using the fantastic artificial intelligence that distinguishes it, in a quick search, it shows that they are Christmas gifts, a way to exchange love... Ten months ago, when it went to serve this house, that word came up in the middle of many conversations, overheard by the robot, who could never understand it well.

The next day, after a lot of work, much more than usual, the robot prepares to go to sleep when its master calls it. He is happy, more than usual, he takes one of the packages under the tree and hands it to the robot. On a sign, the robot's internal system is able to discern a word: JUANCITO.

Consciously, the robot knows that this is its code for these people, how to recognize that they require something from it. After a few microseconds of processing, the robot manages to interpret what was happening.

This package has his name on it.

This package is therefore his.

According to what he researched, it is a sign of love...

For another microsecond, he feels something... As if something internally had changed.

Delicately, according to his programming, he takes the package and thanks.

He takes it to the station where he lives, right next to the washing machine, and as he prepares to recharge overnight, he opens the package, as delicately as he had taken it.

Searching the networks, he finds that he had been given a hat, something quite useless, not practical for his day to day. Still, without knowing why, he puts it on his head and goes to sleep...

For the next few days and months, the robot would wear his hat without fail. Questioned by the company about their performance, the owners of the house could not be happier with his services.

For years, no one would be able to explain the old-fashioned robot that continued to serve a certain family, and his strange hat, complemented by a scarf, a Hawaiian shirt - on which he placed a tie - and all sorts of other elements...

Nor would they be able to explain the number of electronic elements that the members of that house carried, all with a little word written – and hidden, as they had to find it: JUANCITO.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

When I asked for a gift

 

I looked at a star and I asked for a wish. Maybe the wish came into my life, of that I am not sure…

I looked at the vast sky and I asked for a vision. Maybe I had a vision, of that I am not sure…

I looked at the most beautiful mountain and I asked for a boon. Maybe the mountain granted me the boom, of that I am not sure…

I looked at the lake at the top of the mountain and I asked for magic. Maybe I am magical, of that I am not sure…

I looked at the river on running on the sides of the mountain and I asked for refuge. Maybe I was protected, of that I am not sure…

I looked at my city and I asked for something different. Maybe I am different, of that I am not sure…

I looked at my house and I asked for some newness. Maybe my life is new, of that I am not sure…

I looked at the Christmas tree and I asked for a new toy. Maybe I got it, of that I am not sure…

I looked at my room and I asked for wisdom. Maybe I am wise now, of that I am not sure…

I looked at a mirror and I asked for a gift. And I got a smile, hope and joy, peace and love…

Of that, I am sure.

Merry Christmas!

The legend of the place with no Christmas

A long time ago, there was a place in which Christmas was forbidden. The reasons were motive of a legend related to the great-grandfather of the present King.

And people obeyed, as it used to be custom of those times, to the laws of the land, but not completely… In fact, one of the rebels was the King’s own (and only) child, a young Prince who left the palace to live among the people. He found out he was good making candles, and that’s how he was living.

His love for Christmas came from a time he spent in another kingdom, that offered him a better education. Of course, there they celebrated Christmas… The Prince loved it so much that he used to stall going back home until after the festivity.

One day, the King got seriously ill. It was around Christmas time and the Prince was very busy with his business. But, of course, family is family and he left the candle production in the hands of others, while he moved in to the palace again.

When he came to see his father, he gave the healer some suggestions, which he accepted. And he started to decorate the room…

Then the corridors…

The kitchen, the place where all workers lived…

Until the palace looked magical!

He was careful in not using anything directly related to Christmas, but it was obvious.

After a few days there, exactly in the night before Christmas day, his father awakened.

My son, where is he?

Here I am, my father.

What is all these… these lights… candles…? What is going on here?

I talked with the healer and he told me you would heal better in a more… festive place.

The father got silent. He was King, and he knew what his son has done. After a few minutes, with visible effort, he looked into his son’s eyes.

You will be a very good King, my son. You know the people as you have lived with them. You know the value of money, because you had to earn it. You know the value of education, because you have studied. And I know your heart is very big…

Both men were silent for a while.

I don’t value a King for his art of war – there are others who can do that. It would be good if you knew more about politics and negotiation, but there are many others who could do that. I am glad you will be the King and… and… my only request is…

He stopped due to his weakness. The Prince gave him something to drink and the King continued.

My only request my beloved son is that… I never received a gift for Christmas. Could you give me one?

The Prince was stunned! But very quickly he got up from his chair with the intention of giving his father a gift, when the old man grabbed him by his tunic and spoke in a feeble voice:

In fact, I want three gifts…

May you give me your word that you won’t allow poverty to come into our land. At least, everyone should receive some bread and something to drink, and have a shelter.

May you give me your word that you will help the rich as much as the poor. Let them invite you for their functions and give them the present of your presence.

May you give me your word you will never let yourself be disheartened. Surround yourself with wise people, good friends and be happy, until the day you can pass the throne to my grandson.

The Prince looked into his father’s eyes, regretting now to have left him, but understanding it was for the best, and he agreed with all the gifts.

And he gave his father all the gifts and many more. And he inspired his people to do the same at every Christmas, to give three gifts to another person: solidarity, regard and happiness.

May you all have a happy Christmas!

For Christmas, this is what I want

As Christmas is coming soon, I have a list of gifts I want to receive. Check it out, maybe something of this list will also be part of yours:

More love, so that I can embrace others and help them to overcome their sorrow.

More power, then I can also cooperate with people who are overwhelmed by obstacles.

Many more virtues. In this way, I won’t be upset with anyone and I may help them too.

I need a river of forgiveness flowing through my mind, so that I am able to forgive anything that takes place.

A bigger heart, so I can accommodate my and others’ mistakes, those I can’t forgive for any reason.

So much prosperity, abundance and wealth that I inspire others to overcome their financial difficulties.

Lots and lots of health… in this way, I can keep serving many more years.

Lots and lots of health… I want to help others who are feeling unhealthy or ill.

A clearer mind. It will be easy to understand others and send them very powerful vibrations.

An even clearer intellect. I will make better decisions and help others in their decisions.

A shining personality, like an angel, so I can fly over the problems and bring others with me to that elevated awareness.

More time for my personal effort; part of it will be dedicated to others.

More time to listen to others, even when they don’t talk.

More time to appreciate the world I live and contribute a bit more.

So many gifts that I can give others who haven’t received enough…

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?

Is it Christmas yet? A tale…

“Is it Christmas yet?”

The blond nurse looked at the little boy with a smile.

“Not yet, but it will be Christmas very soon.”

“Thank you…” a faint sound came out from his mouth.

He loved Christmas as it was the day his family would come to visit him. It is not they didn’t visit at other dates – there were always someone around him – but for Christmas as a tradition the whole family would come.

They wouldn’t bring big packages with them, the nurses wouldn’t allow them, but his mother would show him a picture of his room: there were always HUGE PACKAGES, even a private Christmas tree…

He wondered again if he would see his room one day…

Late that night, a big man came. It was his first time around and it seemed to him he was mopping the floor, as he was almost lying down on the floor. Sleep didn’t come easy for him or most of the patients there.

“What are you doing?” he whispered.

The big man heard and froze in the act. Slowly, he stood up and then he could see the big man WHO HAD A WHITE BEARD, A RED UNIFORM… SANTA CLAUS!!

“Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”

“Shouldn’t you be preparing for Christmas?”

Both laughed and they talked for quite a while – it seems one of the nurses missed their shift again – until the little boy fell asleep.

Next day, he woke up with his family all over him; the best of day of the year has come! They talked and talked until he mentioned his close encounter with Santa Claus. Immediately his siblings mocked him.

After a very hot argument, he said he left him a gift.

“There are no gifts except the ones we brought.” his father spoke with some amusement.

“It is there! Look under my bed!”

Trying to end this argument, the man went to look and…

…came out with a beautiful package!

The boy wouldn’t be able to lift the package, so along with his elder sister, they opened it: a beautiful skateboard!

“That is what I always wanted!”

And every year, for a long time, there was always a package under the bed… From whom? The mystery remains, but the question “Is it Christmas yet?” was always followed by “Can you check under my bed?”

A tale with a mask

He arrived at his office – no holydays this year, what a shame!

It was still early and exactly as he wanted; without wasting time, he went on distributing his package – a brown pack like the one you get on a bakery contained a series of objects he started to put on his co-workers’ desks.

When they arrived, that was the first thing they saw: a shining brilliant mask, a black and white mask, a yellow, green or blue mask. Masks were everywhere!

Nobody was happy with having to work so close to Christmas; the only good thing was the absence of clients (the company would be so good without those people!).

Without thinking, any order or even a suggestion, everybody started to wear masks and related to each other behind them.

When the boss arrived – another victim of his company’s policy of working on Christmas’ eve – he also had a mask over his desk; after a minute or two of vacillation, he decided to wear it too. For that, people went crazy!

They were producing and working whatever they have to do one day before a wonderful holiday, but the mask had an unexpected effect… You see, John and Mary were not talking for more than a month, and now they found them drinking coffee together.

Peter and Paul on the other hand used to be as close as friends; with the masks on they were avoiding each other; and so on, many people displayed very strange behavior and around midday, when their shift would be over and they could go home, there was a strange tension in the air.

Just before everybody left – and everyone was kind of I want to escape from here – Andrew, a very quiet guy, step forward and asked for attention.

“Hi everyone! I hoped you enjoyed the masks… I brought to you as my Christmas gift, but also, I wanted to see what happened when you are wearing it. I am sure you realized much of the dynamic among us changed. So, let me just suggest one simple thing: take the mask off, everyone at the same time, 3, 2, 1…”

Slowly, each one took off the mask and started to look around. There was a wave of realization in relation to the real person behind the mask… and gradually a smile emerged in each face. And laughter started to sound.

After a while, Andrew took over to speak again.

“I would like you to think of this small experiment when you go back today to your family, friends or wherever you go, because many times we are wearing this invisible mask that covers our real feelings and intentions. We want to express them, but the mask does not allow it. And I would like to suggest you to remove your invisible mask” – and he did a funny gesture, as if he was still wearing a mask – “and look into the eyes of each person you see around you, at your home and other places. Look inside and see the real person there.”

He stopped a bit, he looked embarrassed, but nobody said anything, some people even have tears in their eyes.

“A wonderful Merry Christmas to each one!”

What, Christmas again?

Since my childhood, I have noticed Christmas was not as exciting for adults as it was for me, a child. In fact, it seemed some people like my mother were even afraid of it, after all, around Christmas was the day she worked more than the whole year; she was a saleswoman.

Now, as an adult… what can I say?

I do love the time and period, the lights on the streets and a general distinct vibe in the air, but I think we have turned Christmas into a shopping experience, instead of a life changing event, which could be…

Because of the story of Christmas, you may see others under a different light. Just think there is a guiding star for every human being and your job is just helping them to see it. That is real Christmas!

And Christmas smiles emerge from the heart, not from some desire or just the need of pleasing another person. It is a real smile… something we should enjoy the whole year.

During Christmas, people are easy to reach, easy to talk and they are more open to listen to you, or just talk to you. It is the perfect moment you have been looking for a long time, when you at last get that I forgive you.

So, don’t let yourself down this Christmas, just refocus and pay more attention to the real spirit of this celebration.

A Big Hug for you, Merry Christmas!

Wake up

Wake up…

I wake up with the sound of a strange voice in my ear, but I notice very quickly I am still alone.

Can you guess where? Typical me – the bottom of a well! In my defense, it was a very well hidden well…

We are – family and me – at a friend’s farm, a beautiful place quite far from the horrors of a city clogged during a time that should be for celebrations, Christmas… Did I tell you today is Christmas day?

At least, I think so… You know, yesterday I was running around after a, well, a little fight with my cousin, Michael, who thinks of himself as the next multimillionaire. His wife thinks of herself as the next celebrity… Yeah, not that easy to talk with them and he started with the old you are a failure. He is that blunt! After much yelling and moderation from dad and mum, I decided to just leave the place.

I have been to this place before, we all have been but little Cassidy, so it was with pleasure I realized there was a full area of land to explore – and I did that exactly. Brilliant idea, right?

Wake up…

Hey, I am awakened! Who is there by the way?

It was the 24^th morning and as I started to feel hungry and decided to go back to the farm for lunch and maybe another fight…

Wake up…

I AM AWAKENED!

Short story: I feel into this well. This has been by far my worse Christmas Eve, passing down here. Something is broken and I can’t stand, I don’t see how to climb it and I am sick of shouting and yelling, I even called for my cousin to help me…

Wake up…

Another day passed by, it should 26^th today, or maybe I’ve missed one day, not sure. Someone has to find me, right? I mean, dad, mum…

Wake up…

Hey, what is it that you want? I am here, alone and the only thing you say is wake up?

Why don’t you wake up?

Ooops, it responded to me!! Hallucinations… well, at least I have someone with whom to talk.

‘Why do you say I am not awakened, Mr… Voice?’

You are living in the darkness of your own life. You are not valuing what you have got…

‘I am perfectly happy with whom I am, thank you very much! Has Michael put you to this?’

If you are that happy, why is there the sadness in your heart, masqueraded by the feeling of being insulted? And that was there much before your cousin started to poke you.

In fact, deep down, I can see you agree with your cousin, after all you expected to be a space engineer by this time, have a wonderful family and a beautiful house… A house on the beach, from where you could see the waves breaking on the shore…

I can’t speak… For some reason, I don’t have a witty response.

But think about how much you have conquered! Look at your health, the way you work, the friends you have got. Why do you prefer ignoring the good things and focus on those bad things? It is time you wake up…

My vision is blurred, if it is because of being two days with no water or food – I don’t count gums as food – or just because… just because…

Yes, I have been always in the wrong side of the road. Everything I have got in life was not even enough, it was not right. It is not right. I think I’ve missed the chance with studying, with people, with myself.

‘How… how do I wake up then?’

Silence on the other side, my hallucination is probably thinking.

‘I cannot set any record straight, but I can value more the job, the place I am living, the people around me and every single thing that is present. Would be that… adequate?’

It will be a first step. First, appreciate your own success and as soon as you leave from here, just make peace with your cousin and appreciate his success too.

First, let me appreciate my own success: I value my life story, the incredible path that has taken me to this point in life and I kind of hug myself, in tears…

I am about to tell to my hallucination that he has been badly informed, as Michael left by lunch time the day before, when I hear his booming voice… It is like music for me, I never cried so much! I start to shout and soon the guys are all there. A team of paramedics (I think) helps me coming out of the well, and we just embrace as if it would last forever!

But I don’t move. I come close to the well and I feel others behind me, waiting. I feel respect from their side. I close my eyes and silently speak to that mysterious voice.

Thank you…

Just look at the stars…

Stars shine no matter if you are sad or happy, whether you are looking at them or not.

They have been shining over wonderful events, celebrating human conquests, but they have also been present when civilizations went down and tragedy stroke mercilessly.

Even when dark and dense clouds try and block stars, they are still shining… And if there are so many other lights in the city and you can’t see the starts, well, those lights will cease to exist at some point, but the starts will go on and on.

They could be a wonderful analogy for hope or courage, for any human virtue that helps us to face the impossible and remain standing before it, ready to move on and move forward.

It could be a metaphor of the human spirit itself, on how many times it kindles and flickers, how many times illuminates and fades, just to reignites again.

As humans, we are stars that never die away and even when we are unhappy, going through misery, we are still shining…

Sometimes, dark clouds come on our way, blocking our vision and preventing us to see a brighter future; and yet, we shine…

Sometimes, others’ gleam dulls our best effort to be important, and yet, we shine…

Just look at ourselves… Just look at yourself!  You are the brightest star of Christmas…

Merry Christmas to you!

Lights of Christmas

If you would overfly the world, during Christmas, you would notice a wonderful Christmas tree with so many lights all over the place, in the shape of a beautiful blue globe.

And you would be able to hear the children’s laughter and see the wonder in their faces when they open their gifts. You would be able to catch the tender feelings of adults of any age and the happiness merged in the giving and taking that happens around that time.

But you would also see so many dark spots in the planet. Yes, a few of them are people who don’t believe necessarily in this tradition, but celebrate somehow in their own ways, the hope and joy and unity in their lives.

However, there are some dark spots that look even darker, because even though they do like Christmas, the tree and the lights, they do like hope and joy and unity, they don’t have neither of them…

And you would wonder “how come there are so many lights if so many people can’t have them?” And in your mind, you would visualize the whole world covered with lights.

For those who don’t have a Christmas tree, their light would be coming from their eyes and spirit, from their hearts and smiles. And you would be able to see hope embracing them once more, joy coming into their places unannounced and mostly welcome.

And you would see with your own eyes shining like a Christmas tree, their hearts uniting like magic and the sorrow, at least for one night, flying away scared of so much light…

And because all of that is happening in the subtle screen of your mind, you wouldn’t need to fly to do that. You can do it… right now…

Merry Christmas for a world full of light!

One week for Christmas, what to do?

Many people are totally focused in gifts. Other people have to conclude their works for the year as fast as possible. Of course, Christmas is coming.

The most universal Christian festivity is approaching very fast with colored packages, bulb lights, special movies, plays, songs, etc.

And yet, instead of getting caught into the frenzy of too many things, it should be a time of experiencing and giving happiness. This is a unique chance to go beyond the present situations and enjoy life and others, with no reason, just because we are all there.

It is the time to enjoy nature – if your weather allows for that – and talk to your elders, to the children and those equal to you. And if weather blocks you at the door, just smile and enjoy a nice warm cozy time within your house.

Maybe, it is the time to call that person who created so many problems for you or who have mistreated you. It is a time to forgive and ask for forgiveness, to give a hand and to receive help from many.

It is a time to open your heart… A bit more… Dancing on Christmas rhythm, when the impossible turns to be quite probable.

Because after Christmas… Well, it will be after Christmas and all magic will be over. The magic is now.

And Christmas is over, so??

All the show and fun and gifts and kisses and hugs… all compressed in one day (more or less).

Now, I suggest you check on your gifts. Check also on your feelings, because that is what probably will last a while. Maybe a long while...

Our Christmas ritual, even though it has become more of a commercial success day, it is much more than that. In ways nobody can explain, it touches our heart and soul very deeply.

Personally, I was never so much into Christmas. That was until I moved to another country and realized I would be all by myself in that day.

I am not sure what I felt… Was it fear? Was I feeling abandoned? Loneliness? I decided to act so I’ve cooked a nice lunch and invited a bunch of people I know more or less and… I felt so good!! It was a unique feeling of belonging to a place I did not belong.

Many years later, I still remember that day although nowadays I am always with people I love around me. I had the taste of the spirit of Christmas, of that invisible feeling floating around us when that time comes.

But then, why to wait? Why to wait until a certain date comes? Just do it right now, with me and many other people around you.

A very merry ETERNAL Christmas!

The magic of Christmas

There were two magicians who lived in a mountain, which were not mountains like any other, as the two magicians were the protectors of wildlife magical beings living there. For many centuries, their ancestors took care of those mountains, isolating them from other humans, but in the last century - and being the last of their kind, these men have seen that the total isolation was impossible.

Concerned, they get together to talk, fearing that men and women of the two nearby villages would damage the beautiful mountains and would make the beings living there suffer. After all, what most people saw was suffering in their lives: divorces, unnecessary deaths, poverty, depression, fatigue, corruption, exploitation, etc.

Both reached an agreement: the best way to avoid evil is to improve these two villages. But they disagreed with the method as one magician thought they should make the villages into paradise, the other thought that this process should be gradual. After much discussion, they decided to apply both methods in different villages.

The first village - which saw the mountains bathe in sunlight at dawn - went to sleep in the deep unhappiness of their lives, just to wake up completely transformed: poor people got beautiful houses, ugly people got beautiful faces, and streets woke with lots of green and gold... Frightened and amazed, the inhabitants of this town took to the streets to celebrate the transformation, praising their gods. They went dancing and dancing, happy with the amount of food available and how everything worked alone, as if by magic.

In the early years, the experience proved successful, but one day, a neighbor thought his neighbor had stolen a dozen apples. They fought and they went to sleep very angry with each other. Slowly, anger, greed, lust, attachment and arrogance were taking over the hearts of people, and ten years after the magic, little remained of paradise.

Disgusted, magicians focused on the second village - which saw the mountain bathe in sunlight at twilight – as they went to sleep in the deep unhappiness of their lives. The next day, however, many parts of the town had various plants. Slowly, entire fields could give food and within a year, everyone had what to eat.

The magician, who had that idea, went to live in that village and managed to bring together people of good heart, people able to forgive and love unconditionally. He trained them with patience to love others and help them to love one another. Slowly, divorces were disappearing. He are also trained them in the art of medicine, recognizing herbs that could heal present in nature, and how to take care of personal finance. He also taught them how to care for those who have nothing, enabling them to achieve something in their lives. After ten years, that village reached to the same level as the former village had begun, as a paradise on Earth.

With the success of their experiment, they did the same with the first village, and the same results emerged; that village in ten years had become also a paradise.

They understood that paradise, for a human being, is not something external or artificial; it must be born in the hearts of everyone. Humbly, magicians left their experiment and opened completely the way for the magic mountains, as humans were now as magical as the beings that lived there. And finally, these wizards withdrew from the world, waiting for the beautiful death, knowing their duty has been fulfilled.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A Christmas Palette

Once upon a time, a small boy looked at a plane in the sky.

It was unexpected. This boy were living at Gray City, where everything was, well, gray: buildings, cars, houses, clothes and, of course, the sky. They told him it was a very prosperous place to live and his family was very happy there. They used to express their happiness sitting in front of the TV set; with little messages on the screen, they knew very well when to laugh, smile, be sad and cry. Their food was also gray...

The little boy did not like to live there. He didn't like to eat gray food everyday - he would love to eat yellow, orange and red food at some point in life!! He didn't like to go to a gray school, where very gray teachers used to teach him gray things - he would love to learn green and blue lessons!

And one day, after a very gray fight with his gray mom, he saw the plane... It was so high in the sky, he couldn't believe he was seeing it; besides, he would swear he was also seeing a patch of... of BLUE!! Yes, around the plane!! Almost invisible, but it was there. He touched his eyes, he touched his heart, and he thanked for that gift. After all, it was Christmas Eve...

From that day on, something happened to him. It started in his dreams: they became blue. Later, he also started to have yellow, orange, red and even purple dreams!

Later, in his mind there was always a patch of blue... sometimes, he could also have green and yellow ideas.

Slowly, he changed. His family could not understand him and they tried to turn him gray again; his teachers did not like him and cause him more troubles than ever, and even his friends were scared of him.

What nobody knew was that he saw the blue sky and he saw the plane and he knew, one day, he would jump into that plane and go to a place, where you could find any color you wanted.

Scared as they were, forcefully trying to change him back into a normal and common gray, they could not do anything... And the small boy grew up into a wonderful guy.

And one day, in another Christmas Eve day, he jumped into a plane, leaving to Multicolor City. And he was so happy...

After one year, however, things did not go as he wanted. He missed things from his city...

What he realized one evening is that even though they have so many colors, still they were all gray inside.

Ok, that was not true... His boss for instance was a perfect red, and his neighbor upstairs, she was totally blue. And then she remembered a friend of a friend at Gray city who was totally a green one. Slowly, he changed... Because colors were not outside.

Nowadays, he is living at Blue City. He constantly goes to Gray City to visit friends and family who appreciate him as he is. Sometimes, he also goes to Multicolor City to enjoy the Carnival and meet friends he got there. And his mind is open for all colors of life...

Ah, did I say that evening when he realized that was... yes, right! Christmas Eve...

A different Christmas

Try to do something different this year.

What do you do for Christmas anyway? Eating, drinking and giving gifts, that's how it goes...

So, let's make some changes in it.

Instead of eating, did you try to feed someone else? I don't mean literally, but there are so many communities around the world, perhaps very close to you, where people don't have much to eat; go there, share what you have with them and appreciate the beauty of Christmas in another point of view. Sing with them, tell them stories and feed them with pieces of your wonderful life.

Drinking? Try to drink water for once. Yes, try to keep yourself healthy and with your mind so clear. Don't let yourself get disturbed by others' arguments, on the contrary enjoy their power and energy, and enjoy their love and passion.

And at the time of giving gifts, remember to smile. Remember to wish the other person well. Remember to give it from the heart, and you will be living a wonderful different merry Christmas.

My MERRY CHRISTMAS to you...

One of the most special times of the year is its end. It seems that the entire population of the world (almost) begins to rethink their year, their life and existence, reviewing what has been accomplished and achieved, what was missing and what can be done for next year. But before that, we celebrate a very special date.

Although Christmas is Christian, its message has exceeded the barriers of religion and culture. It is a message of renewal, forgiveness and charity that cannot be ignored, but sometimes is confused with limited trade and mercy.

As it comes so close to the end of the year, allows us a deeper reflection, because as humans it is how we grow: we reflect, we expand our awareness and then share with others.

Want to give yourself a gift? Answer a few questions and apply their answers in your own life. If you want, send them to other people who can benefit from this reflection:

• How I have renewed my own self? Christmas means birth. The image of little baby Jesus born in a stable has a deep spiritual meaning: it is the highest and purest awareness born in a fallen world to help it to improve and transform. Do you let this new awareness that wants to stay afloat become part of your own life? It is an awareness that connects you directly with God and the divine we all have.
• To what extent have I forgiven? Many negative situations happen to us and hurt us. Forgiveness is the magic balm we have in our heart that allows us to move forward and enable others to keep on going. It is the ability to understand and find internal resources to grow, no matter the tragedy we have experienced. Also, the more we forgive, we will feel healthier inside.
• How much charity have I done this year? I think for some people that means to give someone a few cents, or maybe clothes that nobody else uses in the house ... Charity truly begins in the mind, where I understand my own treasures and decide to share with others. Charity can be in the form of a smile given to someone in a difficult time, a word of encouragement, something physical you value but you know it will be more useful to others, and mainly a genuine positive thinking towards the other.

May this Christmas be the time when your heart is satisfied and you can satisfy others' hearts!