The end is just the beginning?

Every year we celebrate the arrival of the new year, but when that beginning is but a distant memory, it's hard to remember how we began the preceding year.  Oftentimes, we reflect on the year that just passed and look forward to the opportunities that await us in the year to come.  Perhaps it's our way of dealing with those disappointments that we prefer to forget.  In a sense, it's a way to reset the clock and wipe the slate clean.

Either way, my wish is that 2013 is filled with good health, happiness, and opportunity; but most importantly, I pray for peace, never to have it end, and to that I say, "let it begin with me."  Happy New Year!

Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

The Peanuts animated Christmas movie became an instant classic when it first aired in 1965 and has been a holiday favorite ever since.  In fact, I think I've watched it every year since that first airing myself.  Although it may be a movie, the message that is delivered remains timeless and is at the very epicenter of the true meaning of Christmas.

Of course, right from the beginning, you get the feeling that the celebration of Christmas for the those cast of characters was not unlike what we experience today with Black Friday, cyber Monday, and all of the commercialism that follows.  However, when Charlie Brown becomes frustrated and asks the question, "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"; Linus answers, "Sure Charlie Brown", and the attention turns to Linus' speech revealing the meaning of Christmas.

With all that we face in this world today, Christmas, with its true meaning, provides us with the hope that something better awaits, if we don't let ourselves become misguided.  In many respects, life is simple, and we ought to keep it that way.  Merry Christmas to all and may God bless!

Making sense out of senselessness

When the horrific events from last week's tragedy unfolded,  we were once again thrust into a sense of disbelief, sadness, vulnerability, and extreme heartfelt loss for the victims, their families and friends.  As the information streamed in from the various news outlets, it became apparent, yet again, that this act was as senseless as any of those that have preceded it.

We live in a world of great challenge today with the many issues facing each of us personally and collectively.  Regardless of the times or the circumstances, we must turn to each other and offer comfort and support.  Good triumphs when we reconcile those differences that keep us apart.  Tragedies are just  that , and no sense can be made of them.  We need to love our neighbors as ourselves, and that makes sense to me!

Too late, already gone over the "physical" cliff

With the impending fiscal cliff lurking on the horizon, there has been much discussion in Washington and around the country about its impact going forward.  Tax cuts are set to expire and the operating budget is in jeopardy.  Where will this all lead "US"?  Hopefully, the men and women who have pledged their allegiance to this great country and represent "US" in Congress can put their egos aside and resolve this and the many other issues facing our nation.  Ironically, however, some of us have already had to deal with the "physical" cliff, and retrospectively, it's only about "half" as bad as the original projections, and allow me to elaborate.

If you recall, I wrote about this very phenomenon in a blog titled, "Aging isn't bad, it just makes you Half Fast".  So when the pundits started reporting their concerns about the "fisical" cliff, I wondered if they just were oblivious to what's been obvious to many of us who have been experiencing the ramifications of the "physical" cliff for years already.  Those long runs of 6-8 miles now are 3-4.  A regular workout used to be 60 minutes or more, now it's 30 minutes.  If there is a threat of inclement weather, the workout gets shelved, and it's off to the coffee shop for a lively discussion.  Instead of swimming 2000 yards, 800 yards will do.  Does any of this sound familiar?

We are on the brink of the fiscal cliff, and the folks in our nation's capital who can resolve this matter seem more concerned about partisan politics than real solutions.  Well, in the grand scheme of things maybe the fiscal cliff is just as inevitable as the "physical cliff" has been for those of us who have experienced it.  However, regardless of its unwelcome arrival, those of us who enjoy exercise get up each day with one thing in mind, we'd rather be doing something, even if it's "half fast", than to do nothing at all.  That first step is always the toughest, but it's never too late to start.  Come on people, let's get "fisical"!

The Stairway to Heaven...just got easier

When I was in high school, Led Zeppelin came out out with their immortal song "Stairway to Heaven", and because of its popularity, it became the theme song for the prom that year.  I'm afraid that's about the extent of my memory for that segment of my life, but it always confused me because I really hadn't thought of the mode of transportation to heaven's gate.  In my minds eye, I envisioned some other sort of "teleportation" manner of travel.  However, in the end, as long as the final destination is realized, the mode isn't particularly concerning, now is it?

As the years have rolled by, my parents' ability to negotiate the stairs they once bounded up and down have become their personal Mt. Everest.  They carefully calculate their daily assault on the summit, and with the help of Sir Isaac Newton, they manage to bring themselves in for a return to base camp each morning and afternoon.  However, the perils of the twice daily trek were beginning to challenge even the most experienced "guides", so after the requisite team meeting, the decision was made to guarantee passage of that now treacherous ascent and descent ie. install the lift chair.

Now, just after a couple of weeks of commuting by rail, my parents have adapted to their new found freedom, and collectively, we have relieved ourselves of yet an additional worry, an unprotected fall from the top.  Life certainly has its ups and downs, and hopefully, none of them threatens the very fragile aspects that this life eventually offers.  However, for two individuals who one day will be welcomed at the eternal banquet table, they'll just have to settle for their slice of heaven here on earth where access just got a little bit easier!