I posted this last year around the holidays and over the past week as I read about Tahrir square, the riots in Pakistan and of course the ongoing conflict in Palestine, Syria and the numerous other places in the world I thought I would take a moment today to repost this. Hopefully we continue to work towards a world where people can feel safe in their homes, where human slavery isn't an everyday reality and where it's not just the holiday season that we come together to donate to our favourite charities in order to help solve these ongoing issues for those we share the world with.
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Christmas is a funny thing, I was sitting with some friends the other day and we were talking about what thoughts came to mind when we heard "Christmas" and everyone else brought up stories of santa hats, gingerbread cookies, stockings, candy canes and of course brightly wrapped presents under colourful trees. I was yet again the lone voice that spoke of conflict, genocide, war and religion yet I didn't mean to bring them up in such a negative way, well not that one can really put a positive spin on genocide but rather I meant that this time of year makes me think of the triumph of spirit over such things. I am always amazed that it takes Hanukkah, Christmas, etc. to collectively motivate us to come together and support charities, to lay down arms and open our doors to those that we share this world with.
On my last visit to Washington DC I spent some time at the Holocaust museum, they had a special exhibit on the conflict in Darfur which I made a point of walking through both on my way in and again on my way out. Both times tears streamed down my cheeks as I realized many of the people in the photographs were now gone and that many more would be before any resolution is found.
I wanted to post the song and video above because it reminds me so much of the holidays and what they mean to me, it gives me hope and for me that isn't a seasonal thing but it's a generosity of spirit (and time/purse) that we as a society should be working towards year round.
Life is for living. Children have taught me that even during the greatest pain or struggle one can find time to laugh or play. It's important to set some time aside for those around us, to enjoy them and to appreciate their company no matter how brief that may be, it's crucial for good mental health and it just feels good as well.
As for the usual ad stuff, I'm in Toronto until mid-Jan. please visit my website for more information.
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Christmas is a funny thing, I was sitting with some friends the other day and we were talking about what thoughts came to mind when we heard "Christmas" and everyone else brought up stories of santa hats, gingerbread cookies, stockings, candy canes and of course brightly wrapped presents under colourful trees. I was yet again the lone voice that spoke of conflict, genocide, war and religion yet I didn't mean to bring them up in such a negative way, well not that one can really put a positive spin on genocide but rather I meant that this time of year makes me think of the triumph of spirit over such things. I am always amazed that it takes Hanukkah, Christmas, etc. to collectively motivate us to come together and support charities, to lay down arms and open our doors to those that we share this world with.
On my last visit to Washington DC I spent some time at the Holocaust museum, they had a special exhibit on the conflict in Darfur which I made a point of walking through both on my way in and again on my way out. Both times tears streamed down my cheeks as I realized many of the people in the photographs were now gone and that many more would be before any resolution is found.
I wanted to post the song and video above because it reminds me so much of the holidays and what they mean to me, it gives me hope and for me that isn't a seasonal thing but it's a generosity of spirit (and time/purse) that we as a society should be working towards year round.
Life is for living. Children have taught me that even during the greatest pain or struggle one can find time to laugh or play. It's important to set some time aside for those around us, to enjoy them and to appreciate their company no matter how brief that may be, it's crucial for good mental health and it just feels good as well.
As for the usual ad stuff, I'm in Toronto until mid-Jan. please visit my website for more information.
