The holiday season is my favorite time of year.  As soon as Halloween is over, I begin my gift shopping and tune into the Hallmark Channel.  While everyone else is complaining that the stores are rushing through the holidays too fast, I am reveling in Christmas music.  If it were possible, I would climb into a Currier and Ives print and stay there until I was forced to return to reality in January.

As corny as it sounds, there really is something about the holiday season that seems to bring out the best in people.  It reminds us of simpler times and conjures up storybook images of friends and family gathered in front of the fireplace drinking hot cocoa.  Who doesn’t love that?

Now more than ever before, we are in dire need of some holiday magic.  Maybe for just a few weeks, we can put aside our differences.  Let’s trade political parties for holiday parties.  Let’s look at each other with open minds and open hearts rather than suspicion and mistrust.  Most of us are lucky enough to be able to count quite a few blessings.  Let’s focus on our blessings rather than on our grievances.  I know we all have goodness inside of us.

Tune out the political noise and get back to enjoying your life.  Take back your joy!  Enjoy your family and friends!  Be Merry!

Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy and healthy new year!