This time of the year is a very special time for millions of people around the world. A time to gather our family members and enjoy each others company. A time to think about those things that happened during the year which effected us and our loved ones in so many different ways. There were times for laughter and times for tears (some tears of joy and some tears of sadness).
It is also a time for looking forward. To dream about all the good things we would like to see happen to our families and friends in the new year.
This special time of the year and the people we share it with have the ability to make most of us feel sort of "warm and fuzzy" at times.
Oh sure, it is sometimes easy to get upset if "Toys-R-Us" is sold out of "Tickle Me Elmo" and someone special we know simply must have one Christmas Day (or so we have convinced ourselves). It is also hard at times to deal with sales people who don't, in our humble opinion, treat us the way like we feel we should be treated.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone treated everyone else with care, consideration, patience and respect. What a wonderful world it would be then, not just during Christmas but the whole year long.
Of course that concept has been around for ages. When I was a small boy back in the 30's, it was called the "Golden Rule". In those days it meant that you should treat others the same way you would like for them to treat you. To me that sort of sums up what relationships should be. It shouldn't matter if that relationship is casual (as it is between customer and sales person), between co-workers, friends or family.
While it does take a little practice it really isn't that hard to be nice to someone (or to everyone) and it sure makes the day much nicer for all involved. More often than not, it has been my experience that we tend to get back what we give. If we give a smile and a friendly word we are very likely to get the same in return. And if you don't you get anything in return you are still a better person for having tried.
Besides, when I run into someone who is trying to give me a hard time (usually because their day has hit a few pot-holes), I like to see the expression on their faces when I return their actions with politeness and they can't understand why their "game" isn't working on me. Try it sometimes, you might like it.
Although we will never convince some people of it, the Golden Rule does not mean that the one who dies with the most gold rules.
My wish for each and every one of you is much love, health and happiness for the remainder of this year as well as for all of 1997.
Buck