Yesterday I spent a good portion of my morning looking up Christmas songs on the Internet to add to my Christmas collection. I have what you would call a very eclectic taste in music. Anything from Roger Whittacker, Nana Mouskouri, Pavarotti, Enya,Sting, Great Big Sea, Tim McGraw and Reba Mcintyre just to name a few. But one of my favourite all time Christmas songs is the one by John Lennon" And so this is Christmas" When I think of the first lines of this song...."And so this is Christmas and what have we done, another year over, new one just begun....." it speaks to me about giving, caring, patience and tolerance. Every Christmas I look forward to hearing this song. If there ever was a utopia mine would be a world of peace and harmony.I know that is a tall order. But wouldn't it be wonderful. We don't need to look at the war in Iraq or Afghanistan to see injustice being done and cruelty to mankind. It unfortunately is all around us on a daily basis. The senior who is victim to a home invasion, the store keeper who is robbed at gunpoint, the addict breaking into a vehicle to get the change for them to get their next fix, or the gang violence.....and even closer to home the intolerance of others that we experience. The unkind person who buds in front of another person, or says an unkind word because they don't like the way the person looks, smells or speaks. We talk about freedom of speech, but it only seems to apply if the person says what we want them to say, that they have to agree with our view point or we reject them in no uncertain terms using cruel words and profanity, rather than debate an issue and just agree to disagree.
Oh yes what a wonderful world it would be......oh that's another song now isn't it. But truly wouldn't it be such a wonderful world if we all just had a little more patience and tolerance for each other. I'm not one for making resolutions but if I want change to happen then it must begin with me, oh here I go again with another song. Anyhow, I am making this pledge to myself, to try to be more tolerant of others, and to recognize that we all have differing opinions and that's ok, to let that person in front of me in line, and to try not to curse at that person who just cut me off in traffic. Yup that is my wish for myself, and for you my dear friends I wish you all good things peace, harmony and happiness.
Merry Christmas.
16 comments:
You wrote: We don't need to look at the war in Iraq or Afghanistan to see injustice being done and cruelty to mankind.
Actually, injustice and cruelty are what the war in Iraq and Afghanistan are all about. Before the Taliban was toppled in Afghanistan, girls were barred from school, women were forced to quit their jobs and young people were stoned to death in Kabul's sports stadium for being in love. Now, hundreds of schools have reopened and women are attending them, just like in Canada.
In Iraq, Saddam Hussein was running a murderous dictatorship. He destroyed the economy of the 'Marsh Arabs' by cutting off their water supply and draining the marshes. He gassed the Kurds in the north, killing men, women and children by the thousands. He sent hundreds of thousands of Iraqis to their death in a war against Iran. Most cruelly he ran a government modeled on the Nazis with torture chambers, concentration camps and mass graves.
Now, following a lengthy struggle, the British and the Americans have brought a degree of peace and prosperity to the country. The murder rate is down, the street lights are on, oil production is higher than pre-war and Iraqis have shown, by their votes, they are prepared to make the sacrifices necessary for democracy. In Baghdad, St. John's Christian Church has reopened for services with both Christians and Muslims attending.
Yes there is injustice and cruelty in the world, but what a wonderful feeling that we at least, the West, are seeking to bring justice and freedom to the oppressed.
It's something we can feel good about at Christmas and every day of the year.
Thank you for your comments, this was however not meant as a political stance nor to be used as a forum to voice our views on the wars around the world, rather a general awaremess of the troubles around the world and in our own backyard. I used Iraq and Afgahnistan as examples as most everyone is very familiar with what is going on there....just on an aside the women in Afghanistan still are frowned upon for speaking their minds,young girls are still being forced to marry men three times their age, women in political positions remain opressed because they try to speak out for womens rights, people are still dying in both countries...of course there is some good going on, but who are we to dictate and instill our cultural beliefs on others. Differences yes, but the strong arm is not the way to resolve those differences.
Merry Christmas and peace.
Excellent Christmas eve post. I have the John Lennon CD with that song and also the sheet music which my daughter plays on the piano. We sing it together (I usually take the children's choir part which is a stretch). My daughter made it home, a little later than planned but safely. We'll have to pull out the sheet music and sing that tonight.
I just pulled out the CD and put it on while writing this. I have the Shaved Fish CD with a medley which has Happy Christmas (war is over) and Give Peace a chance (reprise).
I posted a Christmas Eve Dona Nobis Pacem globe. I know it's not easy to find the answers but I think we have to ask the questions.
I love how you ended the post with your personal goals of trying to be more tolerant of others in every day situations. I'll have to try that myself.
Wishing you peace and joy, Carver
Merry Christmas! I love that John Lennon song too :)
xo
Merry Christmas!
Thanks for sharing your views on my random thoughts and for really making me rethink and see my views differently.
May the joy that comes with Christmas Day remain with you throughout the year!! Merry Christmas dear friend. xoxo
Merry Christmas, Mary Anne! Have a wonderful day with the family.
Merry Christmas to you too!
From one RN to another (well, 4th year student, that is)
A gift for you. Merry Christmas!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yce0vnw7Oy0
What a wonderful post of Christmas time and you are right......we need to carry this feeling with us year round and I vow to try and be more tolerant of others this coming year as well.
Merry Christmas, my dear friend. May you be blessed with love, health and happiness in the coming new year too!
Very nice!
Have a very Merry Christmas.
I am so amazed at how much magic Micah has brought back to our holiday season...
Be safe and be joyful!
Ho! Ho!! Ho!!! SantaCat wishes you all a purrrfect Christmas.
Next year, please leave catnip with the milk and cookies. :-)
Good to meet you via my blog - That John L song is a good one and I am like you - need to be more tolerant of others. A very happy Christmas to you!
A timely reminder of what we all need - Patience and Tolerance - thanks RN xx
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!
"Humor, especially self-deprecating humor, allows one to step outside one self with a light and varied heart." For me it has been a respite from depression and pain.
“Compassion, forgiveness, these are the real, ultimate sources of power for peace and success in life.” The Dalai Lama.
I just keep trying....
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