Be Thankful for Heat

So its winter, something most people dread because of the harsh reality of the bitter cold. Some of us are reminded of this every morning when we must drag ourselves out of our warm and cozy bed to abuse our bodies to such climate of the outside world. I know first hand how this leaves your body to feel. Every morning I wake up all warm and toasty in my flannel covers staring out the window thinking to myself, will today be as cold as yesterday. Why do I even bother asking myself this because I know the answer, yes....yes you fool it will most likely be even colder. So I have to drag myself out of bed and sooner or later I am waking to the Metra and standing in the frigid winds waiting for the train to arrive. When it arrives my body gets to sit in a warm train, which is interesting because since my body has already been tampered with in the cold it doesn't really know how to react to this new found warmth. So it does its best to adjust and as soon as it begins to turn the train pulls into Union Station and I have to walk to work. This whole time I am thinking to myself, man this body can't figure out which knob is hot and which is cold. So when I finally get to the office my body says, "Dan, I am confused, I think I will just stay both hot and cold and you can feel the wrath of being sick!"
It is this thought that crosses my mind every morning that makes me wonder why I even bother showing up to work. Then it hits me, its because money is good and without it I wouldn't even have the comfy cozy flannel sheets that I woke up in.

This brings me to my actual point that I wanted to get to tonight. During this walk I see people who no one else really wants to see. I see these cold tired warn down humans that are treated like they might as well be ghost in this ever so lively world. I wonder how they came to be in their situation and what stories they have to give. I wonder if they used to wake up in flannel sheets ever and think the thoughts that I think every morning. This usually leaves me with a very overwhelming feeling of guilt knowing that I complain about something as sad as my walks from train to work while these poor unfortunate souls must endure the hardships of a bitter reality. So do everyone a favor, do not ignore these people because they are people, just like you and me. Wish them the best, throw your spare change their way, buy someone a hot chocolate while you which them a Merry Christmas and remember that maybe you don't have it nearly as bad as you might imagine....

The Christmas Spirit

As long as I could remember this time of the year has always been filled with such magic that one could hardly describe. All my life I have cherished this time of the year. The kind side of humanity often shows itself which is a rare treat indeed. "Tiss the season," they say as complete strangers hold doors open for each others. I for one, am all about the Christmas spirit, the idea of simple acts of kindness toward your friends, family, and yes, even strangers. I have hung my stockings with great care, and decorated my tree with memories of my Christmas past. Yet this year has been especially challenging for me. Call it a bad economy, call it the times we live in. Hell, call it whatever you want to call it, people are having a hard time finding their happiness. Last night I watched It's a wonderful Life and I realized something. I realized that George Baily had it right. He wasn't the richest man or the most powerful man, but he was a kind loving man, who shared his compassion with everyone. I know I am dragging on with my inconsistent thoughts, and believe me, I wish I was a bit warmed up to do my welcoming back blog. The harsh reality of this blog was that I needed to express my concerns with this holiday, this Christmas.
I have a little sister, you see, who seems to be having the hardest time finding her Christmas spirit. Maybe she lost it somewhere along her past Christmas's, or maybe she simply misplaced it this year. Either or, I find it sad that I have little power to help her realize the truth of Christmas. Understand this, I love her dearly and I want her to be able to see Christmas as I see it. She worries about buying gifts and buying the wrong gifts. She worries about receiving gifts because she is unsure how to react in front of the giver. She stresses that the holiday is out to get her and I am starting to think she is right. Well kind of right that is. Christmas has been transformed into a holiday of gifts and wants and selfish hopes. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a good gift every now and then. I would be lying if I said otherwise. The truth is though, the gifts I look forward to are the thoughtful gifts that cost very little. I am a sentimental fool no doubt, someone who cherishes the act of a kind thought over the weight of the dollar spent. I wish my little sister could realize this for her own sake, for her view of Christmas. I told myself this year that I would do everything in my power to help her. Although I have tried, I have failed. This by no means is me raising the white flag, I do not break under such regards. Yet, I am unsure of my next move. I cannot force the spirit on to people because I believe people need to find it themselves, with a little guidance of course. If I were to write a letter to Santa myself I would ask him for no gift for myself, but for him to help my sister along and guide her to the much needed smile.
I find myself rambling along with this topic. It is something I find near to my heart. So I will leave you with this thought, my Christmas thought. Stop following the pressures of modern Christmas. If you need to, watch an old movie or two to get you in the holiday mood. The most important idea of Christmas isn't the gift you give or get, it isn't the pressure you should place on yourself, but it's yours friends and family. Its the simple act of a hug to someone who really needs it. Its the compassion that you can show to the world. Be kind to strangers, write a letter by hand, help a neighbor with something. Be kind, share, and love. Life is a treat, to short to carry such heavy emotions like anger or hatred.
Thanks again to everyone who have asked me time and time again to continue my blog. It was you all that helped me realize that people actually read and sometimes take what I have to say to heart. Thanks again

Back again

SO it has been some time since I have last posted anything along any lines of what some may call a blog. Call it what you may, but my time had gotten somewhat hectic over the past year or so, meaning there has been a ton of events that interjected within my life. So I am here to apologize to anyone who was a faithful reader. (from what I gather, there were a few that had requested that I start up again) So here I am, ready to start up my writing about whatever crosses my mind. I have said this before and I will say this again. These thoughts that I write in this blog can be taken with a grain of salt if you want them to be. Otherwise, take the time to appreciate someone elses point of view and hopefully, you might realize that whatever is happening in your life, might be happening in others. Thank you all.

Dan