. . . . . . . . . . . Merry Christmas to all . . . .now here's the tough part. . .
I write this to you with Christmas barely behind us, and an uncertain new year just ahead. And once more I challenge each of you men. . . . to pack the spirit of Christmas in a backpack of sorts and carry it with you each and every day of the coming year. I mean the extra time you spent with your family these holidays. . .capture that and do it throughout the year. That spirit of peace and joy that filled your home the past week. . . . let it be the theme for the year to come. . . . "the new spirit", if you will. For those who were troubled and shared in sorrows, may peace and joy be your comfort and your song. Likewise, the spirit of charity that we all tend to have around the holidays. May you pack it up and take it with you throughout 2003, so that others may share in your prosperity.
Remember "the new prudence" so many of us have learned or adopted over the past few years. Do not forsake it should financial matters suddenly improve. Learn from it. Embrace it. Let it guide your important moves.
The gentle spirit that you enjoy when relaxing by the fire or reading a book. Let that be the spirit that others see in you when the kids are crying, the telephones are ringing, the boss is yelling, the bill collectors are calling, the kettle is boiling and it is too hot to be in the kitchen. . . . let your "new cool" cut through the circus of life and your confidence shine like a beacon of hope to everyone in your path.
May the care and excellence in which you prepared your favorite dish this holiday season. . . .become the "new standard" by which all your tasks are measured in the coming year. Leave nothing to chance, but with careful planning, patience and perseverance . . . proceed with decisive and creative action.
Finally, as we ponder the birth that celebrates this season, let us remember who we are spiritually. This is often the easiest to forget when times get toughest. And it is during these times when we need it most. Let our pride be displaced by a "new spirituality." And may this be the most obvious change that others recognize.
Let us be like the moon. . .reflecting all that is bright and warm. . . honest and true. . . good and pure. . .humble and gentle . . . patient and wise. . . loving and kind. Let us be men who fight with swords of integrity and shields of honor, proven in battle and purified through fire . . . . . . like pure gold.
We hold no contempt. We seek no vengeance. We envy nothing. We forgive quickly. We love unconditionally. We walk in the confidence that our future is bright, despite the actions of the world. We protect and shelter our loved ones. We serve our country proudly. We honor those before us. We fear nothing. . . except the wrath of our God when we stand before Him to give an accounting of the days of our lives.
Have a blessed, peaceful and joyous year.
Rande Is |
