We basically have one week. I speak not of the number of shopping days left. Neither do I dismiss the beauty of the recent Hanukkah celebration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I speak of how many days left we get to practice. Or at least think we do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knowing Christmas is coming, the goose is (or we are) getting, uh, larger, the festivities have begun, cards are in the mail, and we have a week to practice. We have a week to focus on what is best\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 bringing good cheer\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 from everywhere\u2026 fill the air\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe that\u2019s one of the three zillion things I love about Christmas. As a Christ-follower or not, there exists a societal focus on what is best\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 the beauty of rest\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 tidings of comfort and joy\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re generous in hospitality. We\u2019re more thoughtful of others. We\u2019re mindful of those who are dear to us \u2014 here or here no longer. We also are aware that we have a role to play\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 let there be peace on Earth\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 and let it begin with me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s actually one of the harder things about being a semi-humble current events blogger. Allow me to briefly elaborate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In our desire to cover what\u2019s current and talk about what people are talking about, we strive to be relevant and thus aware of what\u2019s actually going on. In 2021, as a country we found ourselves attempting to navigate through multiple fairly sticky issues. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not to negate the very real challenges in education, equality, and justice, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Friends, these are tough issues. None will immediately dissipate simply because we turn the calendar to 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But I have this thought that we might be better at solving the issues or at least making progress if we carry forward our focus from the week ahead\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good cheer fills the air from everywhere\u2026 not just on my side of the proverbial political aisle\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rest, comfort and joy should be encouraged to<\/strong> all by<\/strong> all\u2026 not just to those whom I like how they think\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And peace\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Too often people proclaim they want it, wish for it, and conclude that thought with \u201chey, you go first.\u201d In other words they act as if peace begins with someone else\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n If only the Democrats\u2026 If only the Republicans\u2026 If only white people\u2026 If only persons of color\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n My sense is a far healthier, more productive statement \u2014 for those who want both peace and progress \u2014 is\u2026 \u201cif only me…<\/strong>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tidings of good cheer can fill the air all year round. We can make progress. We can navigate through the hard stuff\u2026 if<\/em><\/strong> we remember that peace, progress and solution never start with somebody else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026 enjoying the week to come\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We basically have one week. I speak not of the number of shopping days left. Neither do I dismiss the beauty of the recent Hanukkah celebration. I speak of how many days left we get to practice. Or at least think we do. Knowing Christmas is coming, the goose is (or we are) getting, uh, larger, … <\/p>\n