It’s that time of year when we reflect on all the blessings in our lives. Christmas and all that goes with it had come and gone. The celebrations, gift giving, singing and being merry were soon to be forgotten in the mundane business of just another day.
As the year was soon coming to an end, Joe was contemplating on the achievements, challenges and victories claimed over the year 2016. As he sat on the log outside the orphanage, absorbing the warm glow of the full moon, listening to the sounds of the night, he heard a soft ruffle. At first, he thought it was the cat moving stealthily, but then through the corner of his eye, he saw that it was Krishna, the almost blind child he had ministered to over the past few years. They had grown fond of each other.
As Krishna settled himself on the log, Joe put his arm around him and gently said,
“Krishna, this year has been good and at the same time difficult and challenging. What is it that you have learned this year?”
Joe was not expecting to hear one of the most profound statements he had ever heard from any child. Krishna snuggled closer, rested his head against Joe’s shoulders and calmly said, “ Uncle JJ… I have experienced GOODNESS. I now know that sharing is goodness, sharing is caring.”
Unstoppable tears trickled quietly down Joe’s cheeks. In all of his years in serving others in many parts of the world, this heartfelt statement from a visually challenged young boy changed his whole life and gave a deeper meaning and understanding to what life is all about. This child who had practically not seen anything in his life apart from through a very vague veil of shadows teaches us the very fundamental reasons for why we are entrusted with life and with each new day.
As we are ushered into 2017 let us all remember “Sharing is goodness, Sharing is Caring”
♥ Each time a hand reaches out to help another….that is sharing goodness
♥ Each time someone puts anger aside and strives for understanding – that is sharing goodness
♥ Each time people forget their differences and realize their love for each other – that … is sharing goodness
Therefore – Share. We have been entrusted with certain talents to help not only ourselves but to bless others as well. It’s so important that we recognize, develop, and share our talents, whatever they may be, each and every day.
May 2017 bring us closer to the spirit of human understanding, closer to the blessing of peace among all humankind.
May God answer our prayers and give us His wisdom each new day and make us a channel of blessing to others in whatever small way.
May each one of us walk in more mercy and compassion this year as we all inspire the rest of us to try to do our very best. I pray that somehow the New Year will be filled with personal peace and contentment.
Maya Angelou so aptly once said ‘You may not always remember what someone did, you may not always remember what someone said, but you will never forget how someone made you feel.’
“New Year’s Day. A fresh start. A new chapter in life waiting to be written. New questions to be asked, embraced and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative year of delight and self-discovery. Today carve out a quiet interlude for yourself in which to dream, pen in hand. Only dreams give birth to change.”
–Sarah Ban Breathnach
From my scrapbook:
Thank you Melinda, Ken and Jane for sharing your wisdom and encouraging words.
We should constantly remind ourselves that the past will always be behind us, but it is our decision whether we look back or not.
2017 has got great potential for each of us
“Vision is the ability to see what is not yet, so you can create what never was” Dong Firebaugh
We have to wonder why so many of us, so often fail to reach out to show that we care to others. It isn’t that most people are by nature selfish. Perhaps we are afraid of being hurt, or misunderstood, or we just don’t have the energy or time.
Maybe it is that we are so self absorbed in our own little lives that we fail to see the opportunities to help others when they present themselves.
Sometimes it is just a matter of a smile and/or a “thank you”. Those cost nothing in time effort or money.
My dear Jonathan, once again your poetic prose has touched and moved my heart deeply. To be like a child and experience every moment with awe and wonder can put one into a caring and sharing mindset. Rather than making New Year’s Resolutions, your post reminds us to resolve to living a way of life that is other focused and not self-focused. Thank you and many blessings to you.
I like your New Year Acronym. I have a PEACE acronym. I designed it as a reminder of things I need to do to live a life of peace. Happy New Year Jonathan. You do so much for humanity. You live out audacious faith. I pray God’s abundance on your life.
Thank you kindly Jane for your encouraging and appreciative words. I too have been blessed with many of your thought provoking and soul searching posts. I am thankful for the knowledge of you and wish you a truly remarkable, eventful and blessed 2017.