This is a holiday present for you and for those who love you.
If it’s not an declared holiday as your read this,
declare one for yourself and read it anyway!
We hear the phrase “Peace On Earth” often during the holidays.
We probably think about it only as an impossibly dreamy and altruistic goal,
rather than as something achievable.
However, if we ask ourselves what we citizens of earth
could DO to bring about peace,
what would be on our list….?
We’d all have our own ideas, of course…
and in a way that’s what it would take
– for each of us to pursue peace in our own way.
But I’d like to tell you what would be on my list.
THE MEDIA
Give us the Truth…!
(Or, if you must lie when you advertise,
at least limit it to that…!)
CORPORATIONS
The Truth… – or at least clearly identified advertising.
Compassion for employees at all levels.
POLITICIANS AND POLICY-MAKERS:
The Truth…. at the very least when it comes to health and safety!
Compassion – beginning with those at the bottom.
The belief that each person is always more important than money.
EACH OF US
The Truth… More and more of it in all areas of our lives.
Compassion for ourselves first, and then for everyone else.
The belief that people are much more important than what they do.
The belief that everyone is valuable (starting, of course, with ourselves).
THOSE WHO ARE STRANGERS TO US
Accept and trust us –
unless we’ve proven repeatedly that we don’t deserve it.
DISTANT ACQUAINTANCES
Acceptance and trust.
Minimal friendliness –
at least enough to encourage us to treat you well.
REGULAR ACQUAINTANCES
Acceptance and trust.
Minimal friendliness.
Recognition – a nod, a wave, a “howdy” or something…!
OUR DISTANT FRIENDS
Acceptance and trust.
Friendliness.
Recognition.
A minimal, but ongoing, sense of connectedness.
OUR FRIENDS
Acceptance and trust.
Friendliness.
Recognition.
A sense of connectedness.
The mutual desire to have fun together
– even when we can’t have it today.
OUR “FAMILY” OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES
Acceptance and trust.
Friendliness.
Recognition.
A sense of connectedness.
The desire to have fun together.
Caring about our deepest feelings,
– and respect for our ability to handle them unless we ask for help.
OUR SPOUSES, LOVERS, AND “SIGNIFICANT OTHERS”
Acceptance and trust.
Friendliness.
Recognition.
Sense of connectedness.
The desire to have fun together.
Caring and respect.
Your love and support every day
– even on those days when everything else (above) isn’t enough.
Happy Holidays!
Tell Santa that Tony said to give you what you want this year!
(… It may not help, but it can’t hurt…)
