Sunday, December 21, 2008

A Holiday Message

There is a great quote that I always like to look at during the holiday season. Here it is:

"The hardest task one can have is to continue to love his fellows despite all reasons he should not.

"And a true sign of sanity and greatness is to so continue.

"For the one who can achieve this, there is abundant hope.

"For those who cannot, there is only sorrow, hatred and despair. And these are not the things of which greatness - or sanity or happiness are made.

"A primary trap is to succumb to invitations to hate."

- Excerpted from the book Scientology - A New Slant on Life by L.Ron Hubbard

As you move through the holidays, you may encounter family who you do not generally see. Perhaps you don't normally speak with them or you don't like them. I know I usually end up seeing "friends" at holiday parties who aren't really friends at all but are people I am not fond of. The idea of loving in spite of reasons you should not is profound and inspiring every holiday season. It helps me get through those awkward moments and usually helps me have a better holiday season, with more peace and love to bask in then if I decided to hate.

Let me know if you've ever experienced a bad holiday - bad blood or whatever - and how you got through it.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, I kinda wish I had read your blog sooner to remind me of that quote! There was definitely some anxiety going into the holidays, seeing people whom I might prefer in small doses! :) As it turned out, the anticipation of what might be was worse what than what actually was!

In my case, I had to deal with someone who is generally SP and definitely "down scale"! I think somehow by simply not acknowledging the negatives, I managed to keep the general tone of interactions more upbeat.

It was a good reminder for me though, to deal with things, and it certainly made me appreciate what I've got. Sometimes I feel as if I can get lost in all the theory, but putting it into practice is always a learning experience!!

Overall, the holidays were beautiful. I got to spend time with my whole family, including my little nephew who is 2 and a half. I could not have asked for more! :)

I hope you had an excellent holiday, and had lots of fun!

Julia said...

Thanks for replying! Sorry it took me so long to get back to you.

I'm glad you handled your people troubles over the holidays.

I had a great holiday season... I think I'm ready for a new one! LOL.

:)