What's In Your Cart?

You know, you walk through Costco at Christmastime, or through Sam's Club, depending on where you live in the country, and you see people with two or three big flat-screen TVs in their shopping cart, and it just seems a big strange. 

Comical even.  But a bit strange. 

I mean, it's great - and God bless 'em.  

And oh, yeah for sure, I remember when my Dad walked in our house on Erie Street in Rochester, New York with a brand new RCA 19" inch color TV. 

I nearly flipped my lid - and then went on to enjoy years of great television.

But I also have Christmas memories of when I'd be happy with just a board game of Battleship or Hats-Off...and or just even Twister! 

There was something wonderful about those days. 

Something simpler.

And really, probably the best part of those days? 

Just being in a room full of people you loved - and who loved you back.

You Lead An Extraordinary Life

Ok, maybe you're not George Clooney, Mother Theresa or Justin Bieber.  So you haven't traveled the world and studied some anceint Mayan culture, or didn't just save someone's life this morning after conducting hours of surgery.

But guess what?

You're still extraordinary...because your life is extraordinary.

More so than you may think...because the essence of who are...your living breathing heart...makes you extraordinary.

With each smile you grant a lonely soul...with every kind word you speak...and with every gentle embrace you exchange...you facilitate your extraordinary ways.

What you may look back and define as mistakes or failed opportunities were really your most shining moments.

Those moments shined because you're still here...those seemingly awkward moments illuminated the path for your present course.  You have done more than survived.   You have thrived. 

You don't realize it, but you're thriving right now...this very second.  With every breath you take...you give yourself another chance.  And with every breath you take there will always BE another chance.

Because you are extraordinary.

And what the world calls extraordinary...or what you may have thought or presently believe as extraordinary...actually pales in comparison to the simple, graceful ways of the gentle and loving-kind beat of your sweet heart...especially when you share it with another.

Every other experience is over-rated.

How You Can Save The World

Although you may not be able to send millions of dollars to those starving in foreign nations or even be able to give slightly to those in your own backyard, the burdens of those who suffer in every land are somehow lifted if just a little by the Light you bring to your corner of the world by employing the following three steps as much as possible in your everyday life:

1)  Live life to your fullest potential, and do everything that you were meant and brought into this world to do in a positive way.

2)  Cut yourself some slack; learn and apply the art of forgiveness with others - but mostly with yourself.

3)  Employ loving-kindness in every aspect of your interactions with others, and in every quandary, think, "What would Love do?"

It's really as simple as that 1-2-3.

Even in what you may perceive as your darkest hour, you must know that Love will never lead you astray; somehow, you must find the strength to be the Light of your world - and in turn allow others around the world to bask in the glow of what you were meant to bring to the world.

In short, do not underestimate your ethereal power to change the outcome of the planet from your own little spot in the Universe.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

And please know this more than anything else:  Love loves you.