The Spirits of Christmas

Every year about this time I get one of those middle-of-the-night visits by the 3 spirits - the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. Just like in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. And invariably the scenes from the past are warm and wonderful. The Christmas present spirit shows me things around me that I take for granted, and then I get to see all the people who are suffering this time of year. Humbling is not even close to describe what that feels like.

Then the worst. The spirit of Christmas yet to come. Not a pretty picture.

What if people are not helped? Why isn't someone helping these people? Why are you showing me this unless there is something I can do about it?

At the end of the visitation, Scrooge (me, you, all of us) says to the spirit "Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life!"

There is hope for all of us yet.

A Year of Challenges

If you subscribe to the Voyage of Your Life eZine, and you have been receiving it for all of 2010, then you have been challenged (monthly) to do the following this year:

1) putting your action plans together for the year

2) creating a scorecard for your action plans

3) using timeboxing to get more done

4) getting in shape

5) reading non-fiction works

6) cleaning up your messes (physical and relationships)

7) practicing being patient

8) giving something away (time and talent) to a worthy cause

9) asking what is the best use of my time right now

10) learning about a new country

11) gazing at the stars

12) reviewing the year, and making notes for things to focus on in 2011

If you stuck with all them, I am sure you are proud of your accomplishments!

Fall Back

I used to enjoy falling back this time of year. Getting an extra hour of sleep, or having an extra hour to do something else with was just fine with me. But this year it seems to have disagreed with me. Not sure why, but it has taken longer to adjust. I am more tired at the end of the day, and the earlier darkness is a little more difficult to deal with.

Maybe that is why it is called falling back. Almost like a time of retreat. Winter is approaching, so we have to get used to shorter days and less sunlight. I will say it is nice to have daylight earlier in the morning.

I guess it is all in the preparation and adjustment. Just seems a little different this year. What do you think?

Peace.