Well...as of today I'm off for two weeks for the Christmas holidays.  This year, because of the tight finances, my family isn't "doing" Christmas.  Instead, we've decided to do family activities such as a kids' game day and a movie marathon day, give care baskets, etc.  And, instead of buying presents, we're going to donate to a charitable cause.  I'm quite happy about that because I think a lot of kids these days do not appreciate "old fashioned" values of simple living, giving without receiving back, and sacrificing for the good of the whole family.  After all, at the foundation of any holiday, you'll find that particular holiday came from people/a person who sacrificed something of themselves to better mankind.  So, as I enter this holiday season, I'm happy to remind myself of the dream of peace on earth and good will towards all men.  AND that, this dream will only be accomplished when me, one person, and EVERY person of the 7+ billion people on the earth today, take on this individual responsibility to place these enduring values into their daily scope of action.  And if enough people do this through living each day with these values, this dream can come to fruition.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Peace in the coming Year.