Typical Hope

Winter Walk

 I have no idea what a Sugarplum is, but whenever I hear that word, this is what I picture:

Blanketed by snow

Warming up

 Saturdays don't get much better than this.

Regal

Happy New Year

I have a mental block against the word "resolutions", and I usually ignore the idea of making them for each new year. I generally have an idea of things I want to accomplish or change, but nothing solid. To be honest, I don't usually accomplish much of what is on my very vague mental list.

This year I'm going to focus on just one thing: Love others.

Now, my family and friends (ie: the only people who look at this blog) would say "of course you love people" and yes, of course I love you guys but I'm talking about loving the Walmart cashier who I've witnessed being rude to the 3 customers in front of me. The one who I approach defensively, expecting to be treated rudely. Most of the time, I treat this person just as rudely as she has been treating the people before me. I don't want to be that person anymore. I want to be the person who loves the (and it's so hard not to type the word "idiot" here) person who calls at work and is ticked off at me because they called the wrong number.

I read somewhere about this woman who decided she was going to try to be a shock absorber. To take a hit (being treated rudely) and to just absorb it and not pass it on to the next person. I like that idea.

I've seen people approach such rudeness with kindness and gentleness and I've seen the change in the rude person's demeanor. Showing kindness to someone is never a bad thing. I would like it to become second nature for me. I want my default reaction to be kindness, not defensiveness.

This is going to be the most challenging goal I have had in a very long time. Right now, that is not who I am, but I know that I am equipped to become that person.

When I think about becoming this person, in my head, I hear a game show buzzer going off with an announcer saying: "I'm sorry, wrong answer--try again." I have a feeling I'll hear that a lot.

I hope you reach any goals you may be striving for this year.

**SNOW!**

I love the way snow brings a quietness with it.

And the quietness brings a sense of peace.

And the peace brings a sense of contentment.

My Brother is Part Elf

Every year, he creates this Christmas wonderland for his family.
When my neice was very young, she came over to my house and after seeing what I thought of as my fantastic display of lights in my front shrubs she innocently asked, "So, are you putting up lights this year?"
(ouch!)

Merry Christmas

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:8-12