It seems that every year, there's one film that does it for me. Oddly, it's not really the same film every year. I suppose that's a good thing, meaning that in some ways, my life changes and I grow at least a little as a result of that change. I love the story of Scrooge, for example, and some years, that's really what's gotten me through the holidays - that idea that we can all be redeemed if we decide to just be nicer to one another, etc. It may be an old trope, but it's a good one.
But that's not what did it for me this year. This year, it seems, has been full of odd challenges. They haven't been insurmountable, or particularly difficult, per se - I think the hardest was a refrigerator that died, and really, that just wasn't fun for a couple of days. Thankfully, being of the camping world, a few days with no fridge isn't a terribly difficult thing to overcome, but it was rather inconvenient. At least it was warm out when it did happen, though, so I didn't have to deal with it in the bitter cold. I am grateful for that. See - not really that difficult in my life.
No, this year's challenges haven't mostly been mine at all, but rather, of people I know. There are folks who have experienced a bitter loss, some facing aging parents, medical issues, relationship issues and money problems. Still some folks I know are struggling with identifying themselves, or identifying their changing roles in life. I know some people who have lost loved ones. These probably all sound familiar to you, because I have every confidence that we all know people to whom these things have happened over the course of the last twelve months. It's the course of life. Stuff happens. You can't escape it.
And there's the rub, huh? You CAN'T escape it. None of us can. It's going to happen. But, it's easy to lose ourselves to it. It's easy to forget, amidst all the trials and errors, and difficulties, and troubles - and let's face it - some downright ugly things we have to deal with, that we live blessed lives. "But how can I be blessed when such terrible things are happening to me?" some might ask. "How is THIS a blessing?" If I knew the definitive answer to that, I wouldn't have to work for a living. But I can speak to it a little. We're blessed because we're still here. We have the wherewithal to survive these things, to persevere, to continue on, to keep going. We don't have the choice of which things we have to face in our lives - but we do have the choice in HOW we face them. We can cower from them, dread them, and lose ourselves in the misery that events bring, or we can face them, focus on the truth, and find the solution to the problems that come our way.
That's not to say it's easy. It's darned difficult to stay optimistic. It requires a TON of energy and thought and purposeful action to keep from getting swallowed up by the not-so-good things. And some might say, "But you just said you had a decent year - it's easy to say 'be positive' when things are so good for you!" Yes! Those people are correct - it IS easy to say it when things are good....and not so easy to say it when things are only so-so, and difficult as hell to say it when life is handing us those lemons. That's why it's important to say it loud, and say it often, especially when things are good. So we remember it when it's difficult. So we remember that in the midst of anger, sorrow, depression, anxiety, loss, and woe, there is also joy, happiness, satisfaction, achievement, and most of all, love - in its many different forms.
Yesterday, the tree went up and the house was decorated. As I sat there looking at this year's tree, I realized that it is indeed, the most beautiful tree I've ever seen. I was struck by the memories of years past as I pulled out the ornaments one-by-one, and of the promises they hold, too. And I realized that yes, It's a Wonderful Life.
I hope and pray that each of you has the opportunity to look on your lives and see the blessings, the happiness, and the joy that exists. And I hope you know that you have helped make my life wonderful, and blessed. Thank you, and have a blessed Christmas and happy 2019!!!
As always,
Thanks for reading,
Me
