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We’re rapidly approaching the turn of another year. And while I’ll be one of those saying "thank goodness, and good riddance", I can’t get particularly excited about putting 2007 behind us or welcoming in 2008.

Why?

Well, frankly I believe every midnight is a new beginning … a mini new year celebration. Every ending gives us a chance to assess the lessons we’ve learned and (hopefully) apply them to build a better life.

We, as a society (and as individuals) have a lot of lessons to evaluate this year. The doors to knowledge have been opened thanks to the internet and we’re allowed - no, challenged - to make use of all that information.

Savvy independent thinkers have been telling us for years that linear thinking isn’t cutting it. They’ve been telling us that we need to work together toward building a better world. They’ve been telling us that we’re only looking at half the picture and we can’t keep going in this direction without running into severe difficulties, to put it mildly.  So this year…this end of day… let’s take a deep breath and start thinking (for want of a better word) wholistically. Let’s stop thinking linearly and start thinking about the whole picture. Let’s start asking the hard questions and thinking critically about all that stuff we’ve been learning. We can start by re-evaluating the lessons we’ve been learning  both in the near and distant past. 

Then, let’s apply what we’re learning each new day, and this new year specifically,  by synthesizing and putting into play what we learn to build a better world - for ourselves and the good of all.

There’s one heck of a lot of re-learning to do and we won’t get turned around in one day - or even one year. But we can all get involved on a personal level and, little by little, we can make tomorrow and 2008 a time of uncommon progress…

If you want to join us, take a look at http://www.storyofstuff.com/  But when you do, remember, I’m not introducing you to a spectator sport. I’m hoping that you will be convinced, as I am, that the time to act is NOW…not next year.

Did you have a great Christmas this year? Are you already back at work…maybe even trying to catch up the time lost during the holiday? Already stressing over where the next dollar is going to come from?

Wait!!! Did you learn anything yesterday? 

Too many Americans today are driven far beyond reason to be productive at all times. Heck it’s gotten to where people can’t even walk down the street without a phone plastered to their ear. (I sometimes think that’s because they’re afraid to be alone with their own thoughts.) Technology has indeed given tools that enable us to achieve far more than even our parents imagined. But achievement is not accomplished by increased busy-ness.

What? you say?

Yes, indeed! Achievement is accomplished when there is adequate time for daydreaming, creative "what if" thinking, planning and, yes, even play. Achievement is accomplished when we interact with other intelligent beings who are able and willing to engage in meaningful two-way communication.

All the knowledge in the world does little good for anyone until it is processed, synthesized and applied to making life just a little bit better for ourselves and others.

Consider planning to take a mini-Christmas break every day from here through the end of 2008. Make it at least an hour every single day. Devote that time to one of two activities:
   1. quiet meditation (with or without soft background music)     
   2. visit with a friend, spouse or acquaintance — without talking business

I hear you. "This is crazy radical thinking", you’re saying. But it really isn’t. Business people in other countries apply this principal…in Britain, I believe, it’s called high tea. In Italy, Spain and elsewhere, I hear businesses actually shut down in the middle of the day for an extended lunch and siesta. Some adapt this practice somewhat to their individual circumstances…They’ll take brisk 5-10 minute walks or catnaps every hour, for example.

Whatever pattern you choose, do it without fail. Then, of course, you can go back to your feverish busy-work if you must. It may feel funny at first, but soon you’ll observe proof positive that you can indeed be more productive without increasing your level of stress.

It’s been a particularly subdued pre-holiday season this year, never mind how many reports we have heard about how great the economy is doing. This year shoppers didn’t  have to fight traffic, scurry for parking places or compete for a spot in the check out aisles. And, if my own shopping list is any indicator, shoppers focused much more purchasing basic necessities for gift giving this year. Many are not as fortunate:

The Coalition for the Homeless in March 2007 reported that the number of homeless New Yorkers in shelters increased by 11.1% (to 35,113), the number of homeless families in New York City shelters increased by 17.6% (to 9,190)  and the number of homeless children increased by 18.1% (14,219) — the number of families in shelters hit an all-time record high in February. with an average of 9,287 families  (a 4% increase of families entering the system.  

More recently, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless reported, "More than half of the homeless youths who sought help in Illinois had to be turned away due to insufficient resources…The CCH study done with input from 24 youth providers across Illinois found that 2,895 youths (48.7%) were served in fiscal year 2007. But another 3,088 had to be turned away – 51.6% of the youths who sought assistance."

Disheartening, yes. But then once we get past the chaotic busy-ness and glitter that has exemplified recent Christmases, perhaps it’s easier to recall the reason for the season… Recall:  right in the middle of the turmoil of a military state a Child was born into abject poverty in a stable…and, while many slept, the heavens rejoiced because hope was born that night.

My wishes for each and every one…

Merry Christmas!

May this holiday rekindle the spirit of hope and wonder at the value of human life that was born in Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago. And, may we all  enjoy renewed hope for peace, joy and prosperity throughout 2008.