December 2009 'Useletter'
Inspiration for December 2009 follows below:
Welcome to Decembers 'Useletter'.
It's almost gone! 2009 is nearly history! Many people often say that motivation and inspiration doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why send it to you every month! I really trust that you have enjoyed this year's 'Useletters' and I am going to end the year with some deeper messages. Firstly to get you into the holiday spirit, and secondly to make you go into the new year with the right attitude.
This month's free You Tube Quick tips are:(Simply click on titles to watch)
English: Achieve Your Goals, Live in the Moment, Attachment, Honesty
Afrikaans: In die Moment Lewe, Eerlikheid, Logies Dink, Eerste Indrukke
Deutsch: An sich selbst Glauben, Im Moment Leben, Teamwork, Verbundenheit, Ehrlichkeit
No matter what your belief, this holiday season is a time of peace, giving and spending quality time with the people you love. Santa Clause has always been part of this magical time. In fact I have a photo of myself in Nuuk, one of the more northern towns on the west coast of Greenland, where I am standing in front of Santa's workshop. So my two girls know that he must exist - after all, dad was there!
Realistically though, have you kept the magic of Santa alive for your children? I actually know people that told their children from the time they could speak, that there was no such person. Although I respect everyone's belief's, I feel so sad, thinking that those children never experienced the true magic of Santa. It's when you break down the magic of childhood that you ruin any hope of a magical adulthood. Surely that's not so difficult to understand?! My daughters have now reached the age where 'peer pressure at school' has forced me to explain everything. However, I think I did well - had my oldest one going until 12, and the youngest one is not quite sure anymore - although I know she still wants to believe! Here's how I did it.
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DO YOU BELIEVE IN SANTA?
I told my girls that although the Santa one sees in films and on cartoons at the north pole may not be real - the 'spirit' of Christmas is. Each one of us can be Santa. Me, your mom, your aunt, your grandmother. It's by all of these people doing nice things and buying you gifts because they love you - in this way they carry on the Christmas spirit. Right now, I am Santa. One day when you are older, you will in turn do this for others.
At first, part of being Santa was keeping the llusion alive for younger siblings. I got to stay up late and wrap the stocking tuffers. It meant drinking the milk and eating the cookies left for Santa. As I grew older, the Santa spirit grew. At university, my dorm mates and I played Secret Santas", delivering little gifts to each other during finals week. Later in Life, I'd drop off Christmas cookies to the nearest fire or police station on Christmas Eve. You can be Santa while shopping - whistling Christmas carols, wear bells thatjingle, smile at those you pass - be patient with clerks. I hope my Santa spirit will be with me throughout the year, and that others will find the same joy that comes from being Santa Claus.
My girls loved this explanation and now look forward to doing good for others. Makes me think back in my life, I went through 3 Santa Clause stages.
1. I believed in Santa
2. I didn't believe in Santa
3. Now I am Santa!
Seriously, there is a deeper, more inspirational message behind the holiday season which I feels applies to every person on this planet. This story puts it all into perspective.
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SANTA'S SECRET
On Christmas Eve, a young boy sitting on Santa's knee, looked deep into his eyes and whispered into his ear, "I want to know your secret. How do you do it, year after year? I want to know how, as you travel about, giving gifts here and there, you never run out.
ow is it that in your bag of toys you have plenty for all of the world's girls and boys? How does it stay so full, never emptying, as you make your way from rooftop to rooftop, to homes large and small, from nation to nation, reaching them all? Tell it to me please."
Santa smiled gently and replied, Don't ask me hard questions. Don't you want a toy?"
But the young boy shook his head, and Santa could see that he needed to answer. So he told the little boy, "My secret will make you sadder, and wise. Are you sure you still want to know?"
The boy nodded, so Santa spoke, "The truth is that my sack is magic. Inside it holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride. But although I do visit each girl and each boy don't always leave them a brightly wrapped toy. Some homes are hungry, some homes are sad, Some homes are desperate, some homes are bad. Some homes are broken, and children there are sad. What do I leave at houses like these?
My sleigh is filled with the happiest stuff, but for homes where despair lives, toys aren't enough. So I tiptow in, kiss each girl and boy,pray with them that they'll be given the joyof the spirit of Christmas, the spirit that lives on the heart of the dear child who gets not, but gives.
I hope the prayers are answered, by the time I visit next year. And I always wonder what I will find there the next time. Will the homes be filled with peace, and with giving, and love. It's a very hard task, to give toys to some and to give prayers to others. but the prayers are the best gifts. That's part of the answer.
As for my sack of toys ... yes it is magic. It is filled with the love of Christmas. It never empties of love, or of joys because inside it are prayers, and hopes. Not just toys. The more I give, the fuller it becomes ... because giving is my way of fulfilling dreams.
And do you know something? You've got a sack, too.
It's as magic as mine, and it's inside of you. It never gets empty, it's full from the start. It's the center of light and love. It's your heart. And if on this Christmas you want to help me, don't be so concerned with the gifts beneath your tree. Open that sack called your heart, and share your joy, your friendship, your wealth, your care."
The young boy's eyes were glowing. Wow! Thanks for the secret Santa, I've got to run." Wait," Said Santa, "don't go. Will you share, help and use what you know this Christmas?" And just for a moment the small boy stood still, touched his heart with his small hand and whisperedn "I will."
So now my question and last thought of 2009 to you .... will you?
As we head to 2010, I want to end of this Useletter with some thoughts on life which may help you come up with some 'deeper' New Years resolutions which will give you a more positive attitude in 2010.
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THOUGHTS FOR 2010
A Birth Certificate shows that we were born. A Death Certificate shows that we died. Pictures show that we lived!
Have a seat . .. . Relax . . . And read this slowly...
I Believe... that just because two people argue, that doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, that doesn't mean they do love each other.
• I Believe... that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
• I Believe...that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I Believe... that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
• I Believe... that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. The same goes for true love.
I Believe... that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
• I Believe... that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I Believe... that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I Believe... that you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I Believe... that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I Believe... that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I Believe... that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I Believe... that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I Believe... that my best friend and I can do anything, or nothing, and have the best time.
I Believe....that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I Believe... that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them...and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I Believe....that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.
• I Believe... that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I Believe... that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I Believe... that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I Believe... that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I Believe... that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I Believe... that even when you think you have no more to give, if a friend cries out to you...you will find the strength to help.
I Believe... that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I Believe... that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
I Believe... that the happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything.
Have a wonderful festive season and New Year.
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And finally, looking for a great Holiday Season gift (Inspirational book) for someone, visit http://www.mindpowerpublications.com or Click here
Have a great December, and if you want to read any of the previous month's 'Useletters', please visit my blog by clicking here.