Are you willing...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this season.  

I LOVE December. 

I have learned the hard way how not to do December.  It was a few years ago and I hadn't prioritized BEFORE December.  Soon, the little things began to take over and crowd out the best, most important things.  Since then I've made some changes and had a few really great ones.  I try to stay completely focused on balancing the good, better, and best things that take our time and energy. 

  I am planning and hoping for one of those Decembers, full of the  "BEST" things.

  I love this poem.  It has helped me especially this last year, as one particular line has ran through my mind over and over again.  I hope someone else benefits too!

Are you willing...

To stoop down and consider the needs

and desires of little children;

To remember the weakness and loneliness

of people who are growing old;

To stop asking how much your friends love you,

and ask yourself whether you love them enough;

To bear in mind the things that other people

have to bear in their hearts;

To trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke,

and carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you;

To make a grave for your ugly thoughts

and a garden for your kindly feeling,

with the gate open?

Are you willing to do these things for a day?

Then you can keep Christmas...

After all, Christmas - living is the best kind of Christmas - giving.

Henry Van Dyke