HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Regardless of the source, the message - Peace on Earth. Good will towards men. - is poignant, not just during this holiday season, but at all times throughout the year.

Many traditions mark the winter solstice as a turning point, marking midwinter, when days start becoming longer and nature begins the process of renewing life. For much of recorded history this has been celebrated by communities gathering together in feasts and festivals creating traditions and lore, the origins of many being lost to time, that are part of the core social rules that allow us to co-habitate this planet.

Despite what culture you were born into, what beliefs you hold sacred, the DNA in your cells or the language you speak; you are of only one race, human. We are a species with few natural defense to protect ourselves. Compared to other animals our bodies are weak. We do not have sharp claws or teeth, protective fur against the elements or the quickness to escape predators. It is our creativity and ability to work together towards common goals that has allowed us to endure, prosper and to dominate all other forms of life.

When we overcame the elements, predators and starvation, we turned our minds from simple survival to enriching ourselves. We have created great masterpieces of art, unlocked secrets of the universe and have reached out into the heavens in search of others like ourselves to answer the question: Are we alone, unique in the vast cosmos? We have done this only through thought and co-operation. However, we have encountered a stumbling block.

We have had duel roles in our distant past, of both predator and prey. Instinct tells us to watch out for hunters and in turn, to kill. We no longer live in fear of being eaten, and don’t have to stalk our food, thanks to grocery stores. These instincts still prevail, so we turn to the only dangerous and weak animals left, each other.

It is our nature to overcome hardship. We thrive and grow as a species through competition. When we no longer had to compete against nature, we turned on ourselves. We created with our minds abstracts of thought that became as real to us as food, fire and water. We argue over these intangible things, hate each other for them and even kill for these things that exist only in our minds. These abstracts have elevated our competition with each other from healthy, to detrimental to the whole human race.

The phrase, written by Shakespear opening Richard III, “Now is the winter of our discontent,” takes on new meaning in this world we live in. It means, the time of unhappiness is past. It is time to let go of old fears, hatreds and rivalries over things that have no real meaning. We are nearing the solstice of our time, as a race. Now is the time to celebrate our renewal.

It begins with you. Consider, during this time of gathering and merriment, how you are going to bring about peace on Earth, good will towards men. If we can let go of the meaningless pain we bring to each other and embrace co-operation, there is no limit to what joys we can share.

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