It is hard to imagine that one week from today will be Christmas! I feel like this year, especially this month have flown by. I look at my calendar and shake my head. I don't know about you, but I have been running here there and everywhere. So BUSY and always on the run. I had to remind myself to slow down the other day. It is okay to say no. It is okay to take a step back and take a time out for myself. I don't want to get caught up in all the commercialism that comes along with my favorite holiday. I think so many people have become consumed with what is under the tree. They have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. I pray that I have taught my son that it is not about how many presents you receive or the amount of money spent. It is about our Savior's Birth. Yes, I think family traditions are wonderful and we too have plenty. I just hope I remember what is most important. I know I myself can go a little overboard at times. This especially hit me hard today for one of many reasons. Often I forget just how blessed "we" truly are. I was on facebook today scrolling through my timeline, I had several interesting news articles pop up. Several I scrolled over as to me they were just junk and not worth me wasting my time and energy on. Then a story jumped out at me. It was about the bombing's overseas in Russia. I was left speechless and crying. I sat and read and wept. So many things we take for granted. Imagine laying in your bed, it is the middle of the night. You are sleeping peacefully in your room. Your children are across the hall and also asleep in their beds. You are cuddled up close to your spouse, lost in peaceful slumber. Then suddenly from the middle of no where...TERROR strikes with vengeance. Your house is now in ruins. Your spouse lay dead under all the ruins. Your children...screaming for you. Blood pours from your face as you try and gather what just happened. Your house gone. A bomb fell from the sky and obliterated everything you own. You are left trying to pick up the pieces. Where do you turn for help? Another story I came across was about a 3 year old who was shot and killed in Arkansas. Apparently a man in another vehicle felt he would send a message by getting out of his car, and opening fire to warn the person they were driving to slowly through a stop sign. That child's life taken because of someone's ignorance and impatience. I sit and shake my head some more. Why? Why all the hatred in the world? I skim some more. Only this time it is not a news article. It is a post of one of my friends timelines. Someone had posted in honor of him. He has cancer throughout his body. The doctor's have given him a year at most to live. His body has rejected the chemo and there is nothing more they can do. What do you say to that? How do you react? Again shaking my head and at a loss for words. Tears streamed down my face. How can I be joyful at a time like this? So much heartache in the world we live in. I had to sit back and take a LONG hard look at my life. What am I doing? Do I tell the people who mean the world to me just how much I love and appreciate them? Do I live everyday to it's fullest extent? Or do I do more complaining and grumbling. What others wouldn't give to live in a safe place and have their health. So, so, so many things I should be doing differently. So many things I should be thankful for. So many things I take for granted on a daily basis. Today, I challenge you, even as you sit and read this...take a look around you. Stop with the pity party. So many people are facing challenges. Challenges we can't even begin to fathom. Truth is we are so spoiled and we do take things for granted. I want to remind everyone that we are all humans and we all will face hardships. If we would only take the focus off ourselves and step in to help others, I think we would truly see all the blessings that lay before us. This holiday season...no matter what religion, I ask that we all do a good deed. Help those who need it most. Be there, lend a helping hand and listening ear. Don't be so quick to judge. Instead of being Negative Nancy, look for the positive. Look for the beauty in others even when this world tells us not too. Tell your family and friends just how much they mean to you. Give extra hugs and kisses. Read those extra bedtime stories. Leave silly notes, laugh more and always open your eyes to the blessings around you. Now...look at all those gifts under your tree...for each one, I challenge you do pray over someone. Pray for their safety, their families, their loved ones. Pray for financial burdens to be lifted. Pray for success. Pray for their children, pray for healing and understanding. Pour your heart out to God for these people. I promise in return you too will be blessed. Let's show this cruel world that we live in, that there is still love and compassion for others. I leave in your hands and I pray everyone has a wonderful Christmas.