New Year’s Eve Celebrate endings–for they precede new beginnings. (Jonathan Huie, author) There are times when we can hardly wait for an ending—like a long semester in a difficult class, but there are other experiences when we think the ending comes too soon. We are...
End of the Year Thoughts The only time you should ever look back is to see how far you’ve come. (Bangtan Boys, Butterfly) Sometimes we look back for the wrong reasons. We wish we had done something different, or that something hadn’t happened. Pessimists will look...
Just Do It! Most of the accomplishments I've achieved in life I began to attempt before I was really ready. (Author unknown) As we review 2022, we may take pride in what we’ve achieved, but we are looking ahead to next year and resolving to accomplish more. Perhaps it...
Growing Through Experience Trouble brings experience and experience brings wisdom. (Yiddish proverb) This was a tough year for many of us. There were floods, tornados, high crime rate, and too much drug abuse. As we think back on it, what did we learn that could make...
Foresight Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. (Carl Jung, 20th century Swiss psychiatrist) Jung continues: “Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.” Most of us like to think ahead and plan our work, establishing goals to...
After Christmas Next to a circus there ain’t nothing that packs up and tears out faster than the Christmas spirit. (Frank McKinney Hubbard, 19th-20th century American humorist) It’s sad but true, isn’t it? I suspect you’ll note the loss of that spirit of joy and...
Christmas A joy that is shared is a joy made double. (John Roy, musician) I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior . . . the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem . . . When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to...
Christmas Eve Even as an adult, I still find it hard to sleep on Christmas Eve. (Carrie Latet, pseudonym for Terri Guillemets, poetry collector) Can you imagine what it was like for Joseph and Mary on that long ago night? It was the fulfillment of ancient prophecies,...
A Lasting Spirit He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. (Roy L. Smith, author) Christmas is a disappointment for some because of unrealistic expectations. Children may not get the toys they asked Santa for. And some adults expect this...
Fun and Reflection The Christmas spirit is a spirit of giving and forgiving. (J. C. Penney, 20th century American businessman) The holiday season provides many opportunities for social gatherings—from one-on-one “coffees” to company parties and family gatherings....
Thoughtful Giving Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most. (Ruth Carter Stapleton, 20th century American writer) As we plan our Christmas giving, we should remember Stapleton’s observation. It isn’t...
Only Five More Days It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. (W.T. Ellis, 19th century U.S. congressman) We’ve been hearing the popular seasonal tune, It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas for weeks now. And we do “feel” it, don’t we? But as...