New Beginnings

Some thoughts of mine from a recent article I wrote published in a police newsletter:

                It's that time again, a time for reflection, a moment of self-evaluation and yes, a concerted effort at New Year's Resolutions.  We've just celebrated Christmas, Hanukkah and the Holiday Season.  For most, we gorged ourselves with turkey, ham and mash potatoes, we ate way to many holiday brownies and we drank far too much cider.  The Christmas lights are back up in the rafters, the Menorah is put away and all the December traditions are packed and readied for next year.  And now, it's time for change; it's time to do something about this thing we call life.  After all, we aren't getting any younger, right?

A New Year's resolution is simply a commitment one makes to a personal goal; it is made in anticipation of the New Year, a new start.  It isn't a surprise that the top three resolutions for 2013 are weight loss, a goal to quit smoking and a zeal to begin exercising; it's also not a surprise that over 75% of those that do make resolutions fail within the first week, another 70% within two weeks and almost 50% quit within the first six months (actually, less that 10% ever achieve their goal...).

I have an idea for this coming year.  Yes, do lose weight if you need to - your health depends on it.  Oh, if you do smoke, it would be a great idea to stop as well.  And of course, as an old athlete, I can't emphasize the importance of being in shape.  My thought for 2013: let's invest our time into 'the other'.  Namely, for 2013, how about seeking people that you can give yourself to.  At our church, for this past Christmas season, I challenged our family to invest their time and life into 'the other'; the feedback I have received from countless individuals has been overwhelmingly positive.  You see, there is no greater joy, no greater meaning, no greater fulfillment than to give your time, attention and love to 'the other'.  We have a rule at Rock Harbor, a rule we live by.  Specifically, everyone who walks through the doors of our church is considered a special guest invited by God and worthy of our love, attention and affirmation.  Likewise, I've challenged our church to extend this mindset outside the walls of our church.  How about joining us? Why not considering those you meet, those you frequent, as special guests invited by God into your life that are longing for time, attention and love? 

And, instead of a New Year's Resolution, how about a New Beginning?  A paradigm shift, if you will, a new focus on 'the other'.  Modern psychology teaches that giving one's life to the other is the most healthy thing anyone can do.  The Torah instructs over and over that 'the other' is the key to fulfillment in life.  My favorite Rabbi Jesus is famous for saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive!"  How about it?  You have twelve months in front of you to love, care for and invest your life into 'the other'. 

You know, with all the tragedies our world has, with all the brokenness we experience, I'm convinced it's time for all of us to get outside of ourselves and get into the business of loving, caring and blessing 'the other'.  Who knows - perhaps our Creator has a divine appointment in store for you that will radically alter one's future because of your New Beginning - a beginning to treat 'the other' as you would like to be treated. 

Happy journey, thanks for hearing me out, and best to you as you think about and perhaps embrace my idea of 'the other'. 

It’s Christmas Time!

I remember growing up as a young guy in Huntington Beach and celebrating Christmas with my wonderful family.  My parents literally spent weeks preparing for the morning solely to watch their kids explode with joy, experience belly laughter and display excessive happiness.  You see, the three of us would sleep side by side every Christmas Eve, wake up before the sun and wait expectantly for the celebration.  My folks wouldn't allow us to enter the living room until they had their morning coffee and prayer time – we were stuck in the back of the house wondering what was under the tree, guessing what was in our stockings... the anticipation was simply overwhelming.  Well, when the time came, usually around 7:30, we would witness the most colorful, decorative room on the planet. There was the tree packed with presents, the lights were glowing, the fire blazing, and the scent of the tree at an all time high (and yes, Santa even left cookie crumbs on the plate next to the fire place).  My dad would try to calm us down as he read the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke and proceeded to share with us the meaning of this great historical event. 

When Tami and I began our family, we not only carried on this tradition, we added a new custom to our celebration.  Namely, before our boys could open their stockings and gifts, they would give a present to Jesus.  Our rationale: it’s His birthday, why are we getting all the presents?  So, our guys would spend the month of December thinking about what they would give Him, how they might make Him happy and appreciative.  Once they settled on a gift, they would wrap their gifts and bring them out on Christmas morning and share with our family their heart behind their gift.  The gifts ranged over the years from our five year old Zachary giving Jesus three $1.00 bills, to our middle son Sean giving Jesus his cherished Jerry Rice football card to our oldest Matthew giving Jesus more of his time.  Ah, the memories of those days still bring tears to my eyes.

I must admit, as an old guy now, I still really love Christmas and the traditions my little family has created!  The memories are etched into my thoughts as if they were yesterday… great, great times!  And, as I’ve matured over the years,  I have grown to understand in greater depth the true meaning of Christmas; namely, it’s about giving – the giving of oneself to bless, to encourage and to love.  My favorite Rabbi once said, “… it is better to give than to receive!”  And, when we think about, isn't this what Christmas is all about?  God giving that we might have fulfillment, purpose and a future good? 

This Christmas season, no matter your tradition, how about giving something a little different this year – something of yourself?  The East Coast is hurting terribly from Hurricane Sandy – Samaritan’s Purse is a non-profit organization that is actively serving those in need in New Jersey and New York.  The country of Nigeria is greatly in need – for only $25, The Voice of the Martyr’s provides a gift to children at Christmas time – children that have NEVER had a gift at Christmas.  We have needs right here in our community.  The MBPD can provide you with information on families in need – my buddy Richard and I would be happy to connect you with folks who could use a gift of love. 

Bottom line – let’s agree to celebrate Christmas together this year and give… give with a heart of love, give of yourself, give to someone in need.  And, I submit to you that if this is the motive of our heart this Christmas, the true meaning of this season will be realized.  Namely: the gift of love!  Merry Christmas.