There are so many things in this world that are empty. We live our lives to pay the bills, to get the kids to their Scout meetings and dance classes. We cram our phone calls in between everything else. Yet somehow we miss the true meaning of life. We are so busy being busy that what truly matters gets pushed to the back burner.

This year I participated in several things for the first time related to "giving". One of our local ladies gathers "Holiday Cards" for our men and women overseas. The children in my daughter's school offered cards for these soldiers. They created 140 of them! I added my own to them to make 250 total. Just a drop in the bucket towards the 25,000 that she is trying to gather. Our local American Legion will be sending them to our Brothers and Sisters in appreciation of their service to our country.

This same lady was in charge of distributing "Turkey Baskets" to the needy. I acted as a drop off spot for her. What she left with me I distributed to those who were to receive them...a very small thing indeed.

I don't think I need to tell you that my life was enhanced by these tiny acts of giving that I was graced with. But this is only during the holidays that we are enabled to do such things. We need to take this concept and stretch it into the rest of the year. Spirits are up during the Holiday Season. Once the season is gone all of the reaching out to strangers seems to go with it.

Truth is our healing balm to place upon the wounds of life. Our truth is deep inside our hearts...a place we don't seem to visit too often. It's easier to "surface live" than to dig deep and live a conscious, committed life. With surface living we go through the motions but not too much deeper than that.

What would happen if? What would happen if we choose to dig deeper? If we choose to consciously reach out to our Brothers and Sisters right here in this land? If we decided that surface living wasn't enough anymore? If we decided that we needed more in our lives?

Some of our deepest wounds come from the indifference that is "offered" to us by our fellow human family. No one seems to have the time or desire to reach out and make a difference. Just a simple smile will bring Light into someone's worst day. But how many out there think it's too much of an effort? "Let someone else do it", is something I have heard way too often recently.

We need to start living from the heart. Our hearts need to be filled with hope and faith in ourselves and our actions. With guidance and understanding we are capable of creating miracles.

A Brother who was feeling the weight of the world on his heart wrote this piece a long time ago. His words ring true in my heart.

What does it take to live our truth? It takes time and effort. It takes dedication to humanity and self. It takes living with love and compassion in our hearts for all we meet. It takes the courage to be different...to stand out in a crowd. It takes a conscious attempt to live selflessly. Do we live simply to get by or do we live with an attitude of gratitude and service? By doing the latter we free ourselves from the everyday chaos because we won't be in a position to "buy into it". The world will still be "the world", but our hearts will be freer because we are living a life filled with deeper meaning. We are able to rise above the dense atmosphere of indifference and see the truth in the world.

We are all struggling to get by. Times are tough and often depressing for some. What better time than now to take two extra seconds to reach out and touch another's soul with that smile or a helping hand? Let's bring the Truth back into these holidays. Better yet, let's stretch that awakening into the New Year and the rest of our days.

For all those who have reached out to me…I thank you from the depths of my heart! You have truly brightened my world. Today allow me to offer that Light back to you. You are all so special. May the Truth of the Holidays shine in your hearts forever.

Many Hugs

Dawn Ellen