Thursday, December 19, 2019

A Christmas Message

As time marches on and the years seem to come and go at such a rapid pace, I feel that it is more important than ever, for me at least, to focus on what matters. There will always be a Christmas rush, with people hurrying to complete their Christmas shopping. But Christmas should be more about being with the people we love (in whatever form that takes) and doing things for them rather than the material things we give and get.


Grand gestures are sometimes nice but, as far as I’m concerned, it’s the little things that mean the most. And what seems like a little thing can sometimes be very significant. Listening and recognizing the feelings behind the words can be profound. Anticipating and meeting another’s needs without them speaking a word shows the kind of respect we seem to be lacking these days. And valuing others for their differences, rather than tolerating them or, worse yet, persecuting them, certainly makes the world a better place.


With each passing day, not just at Christmastime, but throughout the entire year, I realize how important it is to be grateful for so many things, especially those we take for granted. For example, the gift of eyesight to view all the beauty in this world, like wildlife or silently falling snow.


Or the gift of hearing birds gently welcoming the dawn or the almost deafening rush of a huge waterfall.


There is a lot of turmoil in our world right now, but I choose to focus on all of the gifts we’ve been given by God or the Universe or however you choose to explain some of the most beautiful and unexplainable wonders in this world. Beauty is all around us. All you have to do is let it in. This Christmas, I wish you the inspiration to do just that.


Merry Christmas and Happy Shunpiking!
Joann

Photos in this blog post can be purchased as wall art, paper prints, downloads, phone cases, and keepsakes by clicking on the photo. You will be taken to the gallery website where you will see a big blue "BUY" button. Or to see all photos available, click on the "Browse Galleries" button on the menu at the top of this page. Thank you for your interest!

8 comments:

  1. Beautiful! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Phyllis. And thank you for hosting our family's Christmas gathering. This gathering is very important, especially since none of us knows how many days we have on this earth.

      Delete
  2. This is beautiful, Joann. Merry Christmas to you and Ruth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mike. Merry Christmas to you and Marilyn! I count you two among my most valued blessings.

      Delete
  3. So great to read your inspired words, Joann. You are a blessing! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jean! I know I've told you this before, but it bears repeating. You and John are a blessing to me and so many others. Wishing you both a most blessed Christmas and a HEALTHY 2020 and beyond.

      Delete
  4. Lovely! I hope all the Ringelstetters' had a Very Blessed Holidays! A belated wish for a Blessed 2020! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Stephanie! Yes, let's all have a Blessed 2020!

      Delete