Three things of interest to think about this year.

First, electing a new president. If you as many of the voters in Iowa are facing today are not sure who you will vote for, here is a site to give you some assistance: Glassbooth

Second, global warming, not that you should give excessive thought to this subject, but if you are wavering check out this video (it will take ten minutes of your time): The Most Terrifying Video You'll Ever See

Third, as the previous posts talk about, here is a band out of Argentina that is asking their fans to volunteer a day of their time to help out an organization. Volunteering from unusual places

This year, let's ask the hard questions. What are we going to do to make things better? Whether that is making someones day better by paying their toll on the tollway, or shoveling a driveway, or even volunteering abroad. I know that sometimes I lose sight of how to help, always thinking about the perfect big way to help, in the process forgetting to hold the door open for the woman behind me. This is a time to make your impact; small, big, local or worldwide.

Simplicity

Ahhh, have we arrived at the time in our evolution when gift giving is not about going into debt to pay for things people really don't want or need. Perhaps, the Christ we seek to celebrate in the holidays is not found between the walls of the mall, but in the simple acts of kindness like your dad and mom have decided upon. Perhaps, a Christmas that is not just a single day event, but a commitment to build a network of support within a community...no expectations, no negotiations, no Christmas at a discount, no sale price on the hard work shoveling everyone's drive way by hand and back. An environmentally friendly gift and good exercise to boot!

My holiday gift was the caring for my daughter Mikelle. On Sunday, sharp pain began shooting up a muscle hugging the highway of her twisted spine. I went to her home to help sooth her discomfort, the help was temporary. The thought of an emergency room visit floated through my mind, like the snowflakes blanketing the ground outside, fear began to blanket my spirits.

And, so she came home with me, slept on my couch and proceeded to catch one heck of cold--she passed that on to me, a gift to slow me down so I could think about the new year.

But, the ultimate gift I receive from Mikelle is the courage it takes to live each day from a wheelchair and the gift I gave her was trust. She knew I would be there when she needed me, even though she has moved out, owns her own condo--there are just time when you need your mom.

You and I have nurtured the idea of new communities growing organically, it makes sense that Christmas would not reflect Christmas of old, but the simple unselfish gifts which no one told us to buy.