Ice Cream is one of those treats that is nearly irresistible. It comes in a huge variety of flavors, one of which is probably yours. But even the smooth, creamy satisfying nature of simple vanilla ice cream has been the perfect companion to a birthday cake for a century or more. Ice cream has the power to brighten an already sunny day and has been effective when liberally used as an antidepressant on the dark ones.

Did you know that the ‘cool smooth power’ of Ice Cream is so mighty that without even trying it became one of the greatest influences in the ending of the cold war?

Never underestimate the power of a pudding pop. 

Ice cream has the power to calm a troubled heart, minimize the pain of a scraped knee, and open eyes and minds to new ways of thinking.

Ice cream is not the only pocket-sized thing that can have such power. Sometimes power can be wielded in just a little respect, a smile, a kindness, a small detail that changes everything. 

Time and again it really is the ‘little’ things that have proven to make the ‘big’ difference.

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Let’s start with this question - Does anything really ever disappear?

That which we cast away, or try to hold onto, is never really hidden. In one way or another, it impacts everything around us, and it trails behind us as we move through life.

But, gratefully, what remains is not always a bad thing. And, we have the power to decide if much of what we cast off is positive or negative.

Our relationships, the things we communicate, or just put out there to anyone who is listening. 

Our Ideas, our smiles, our anger, our love, our hate - It all remains. 

But, it often changes into something else 

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This episode is a bit of a nod to those who have had to work a night shift. Those who have performed some vital task attended to some critical detail, that could not wait for the dawning of the sun.

Stan was born on September 7, 1939, near Vladivostok, Russia. His mother was a nurse during world war II and his father a fighter pilot. Surviving in Vladivostok during world war II is quite an achievement, even for an adult, let alone for a young child. So, Stan grew up hard. And, you've probably never heard of him.

Early in the morning of September 26th, 1983., Stan saved the whole world (this is not an understatement).

He was praised for his wise – and correct – decision, but within the week he was reprimanded for not recording the incident in the logbook. 

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The New Year is a great time to start anew. To add fresh and positive things to your life. The get a new start on acquiring something or achieving something you really want for yourself.

Well, I hate to throw a cold bucket on the moment, but Forbes magazine did a study on New Years Resolutions recently. They found that only 25% of people were still working on their resolution after 30 days. And, only 8% of people are able to achieve their resolution.

Why is that?

How come we can have such good and positive intentions to start, and in less than a month there’s a better than 1 in 10 chance we’ll fail. And, probably end up feeling pretty rotten about it.

But, maybe instead of focusing on adding something new – ‘Resolving’ to grow, do, and be more – we need to ‘dissolve’ something to make way for improvement and growth.

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About 2 centuries ago a baby was born in Bethlehem, of Judea. At the time Bethlehem was an isolated society that had fallen from an unparalleled greatness hundreds of years before, to a completely conquered backwater.

His name is Jesus Christ. And, there is so much that can be said of him. But His message and gift are the most powerful of all, and only effectively given -or accepted - quietly, humbly, and peacefully – never by force.

He caused great upheaval by encouraging people to be kind and loving. By inviting them to change their ways, to be humble, forgiving, and good.

This message was incredibly threatening to the existing power structure.  And, as everything else failed, they charged him with false crimes, paid one of his closest associates to betray him, and then condemned him to death.

He and His message remain.

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Christmas Greetings. The way folks seem a bit nicer, and happier at Christmas time. Reaching out to friends and family has seldom been more important than it is today.

 Christmas greetings used to be sent to distant contacts in the form of a Christmas card. It was pretty much the only way. Travel was more difficult, a phone call was expensive, so the Christmas Card was a common and standard way to share a smile with others.

 The first commercially made Christmas card was put together in 1843.  Even today around 1.5 billion old-fashioned Christmas cards are sent each year. 

Unfortunately, It’s a little late to send a card now, Unless you hand-deliver it – with some cookies! That’d be great! Heck, you don’t even need to include the card...

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In the words of the entertainer and Storyteller Burl Ives, ‘Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, it’s the best time of the year’ – well it is, except that as a result of live Christmas trees drying out and catching fire there are 10 deaths and just over 15 million dollars in damages every year. SO – Remember to water the tree!

Oh, and just for good measure you should also barware the decorating thing. 

And More....

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Why is it that as soon as Halloween is over the Christmas displays show up at the stores? And as soon as Thanksgiving in full swing Christmas music invades the radio stations. 

 It’s not that I’m against these trends, Though it occasionally brings out the humbug in me a bit - I just wonder why all the hype and craziness. 

 Christmas seems to have such a big personality it takes over everything around it.  Because of that Christmas is more than a day – it’s a season.

So, Christmas has become a season I will define for myself. And, I in doing so I have been set at liberty. And, am so much more able to enjoy – or – ignore what the rest of the world is doing.

For me – it is about family, friends, and love. It is about generosity, time, and gratitude. And, whether you are a believer in Christ or not, it is a great season to chose and share joy and kindness.

 So, go on, especially you grinches! 

Chill, stop stressing, opt out of some of the craziness.

Go enjoy the holiday season! 

Do it your way!

Have some fun – celebrate, love, watch football, eat too much!

And, allow others the right to enjoy it their way too.

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The Santa we have become familiar with in the US gets around with a very unique, and perhaps archaic, mode of transportation. 

 Santa Clause cruises in an open sleigh pulled by reindeer.

 At first glance, this seeming plodding and obsolete mode of transportation may seem impractical. But, it appears there is something very high-tech or even magical about it that we don’t fully understand.

An early mention of this fantastic mode of transport and delivery was made in 1812 by Washington Irving. While writing a revised version of the ‘Complete History of New York’, Mr. Irving, under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker, writes that Sanit Nick rides over the tops of the tress – but he makes no mention of how.

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There is s recent tradition that started in the south-eastern United States in the 1900s. I really can’t pin it down any more accurately than that, but I have witnessed it. Allow me to tell you the story.

The Bible account of the Birth of Christ includes visits to the Babe from several folks. The shepherds for one, and then the wise men.  'Wise men come from afar'.  But, there's a little different interpretation of one of the words in that phrase that is injecting a little fun into the nativity. 

Listen for yourself and see what I mean.

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