Then there is the opposite side of the coin. I have a home, a loving mother, a relatively stress-less job teaching bright, enthusiastic students. I earned my teaching license (which I just received in the mail!). My niece will soon be born, and my graduate school has been put on hold. These are all blessings which I really took for granted until last year when I taught students who were homeless and had very little but that which they made for themselves. If I look at my problems, they seem very minute in comparison.
So, for this season of giving and merry-making, I encourage each of you to look to those examples of those with less. Enjoy the little amount of time left with our loved ones this year, put aside pettiness. As Anne of Green Gables says, "Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it." So let's make that our goals and aspirations for next year. I am going to enjoy what I have and try not to dwell in the land of negativity next year. And who knows...maybe this year it will stick!
