Merry Christmas!

So if you haven't guessed it by now, I'm not exactly politically correct in everything I say thus the title is Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays, lol

But past that fact, I wanted to post this blog right before we get to the big day and just give a quick moment of thanks and happy wishes to you all.  And also to give a bit of a reminder to everyone.

In my line of work, I deal with people on a daily basis and have to be bombarded as well by Christmas music constantly.  Now, maybe I'm being a bit of a Scrooge here but after awhile, you really start to despise it.  But as I was working, I noticed a few things that I thought you all might enjoy:

1. Christmas is NOT about coming up with catchy music.  I think that most people get this idea but so many times I hear popular artists recreating old traditional songs in hopes of revamping them and boosting sales or appealing to a new audience.  Now, there's nothing wrong with want to boost sales from a music standpoint but after awhile it's like a used coffee filter.  After so many recreations, the music and the message get watered down.
2. Christmas is NOT about gifts.  It boggles my mind to see how selfISH people get instead of being selfLESS.  I don't have to reiterate some of the horror stories but you've heard them before: People killed in mad dashes through stores, people stabbed in line waiting for electronics, the list goes on and on.  Now, I personally know people who have gone through Christmases without and I have been fortunate enough that I have not had to but it does upset me to see people so wrapped up in themselves and not think of others who are LESS fortunate and go without.  
3. A bit of a tie-in from the last point is how rude people can be!  I think we can all get a little wrapped up in ourselves sometimes and are short with others and inconsiderate but for the most part, I choose to believe that most people are NOT bad people.  How sad it is though when you come across those people.  For you AND for them.  
4. Bottom Line: As we enter into the last week of the year, I think part of Christmas is the reflection of the past year!  Remembering the good times, and learning from the bad times as well.  I have been SO fortunate to have been blessed with a wonderful family and an amazing business this past year!  As our family gets together Saturday, part of the excitement and joy does lie in the opening of presents, the waking up early, the Christmas dinner and for us, the celebration of Christ's birth.  

But, regardless of your religious beliefs, I DO hope you enjoy your day.  Whether it be with friends and family or even home alone in reflection, I would encourage everyone to think of how blessed we truly are and to count your blessings.  I love having you readers and would not do this if it was not for you all.

[But would still love some feedback on here! ;) ]  

So I end with a Very Merry Christmas wish to you all and thank you for reading and to the few readers who HAVE commented on my thoughts.  Again, I would love to hear your feedback if you agree, disagree or just miscellaneous comments.  And with that, here are the lyrics to John Lennon's, "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" Til next time!

So this is Xmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Xmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Xmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Xmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Xmas
And what have we done
Another year over
A new one just begun
And so happy Xmas
We hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over, if you want it
War is over now

Happy Xmas 

The Wall Live!

I know it's been awhile and I'm sorry for the wait in between my posts but things have gotten crazy in life and things are just taking off more so than I ever could have imagined.  So, on to today's Post!

My family and I were fortunate last night to see Roger Waters perform The Wall live in it's entirety last night at the Pepsi Center.  To say the least, it was INTENSE!!

The Wall is an album ridden with messages of hate, love, loss, anger, confusion and searching for peace.  It has always been always been one of my favorite albums growing up and once I got older, the movie as well is still one of my favorite to visit from time to time.  

To be able to see it performed live has been a dream come true for both me and my family.  It was 30 YEARS AGO that Pink Floyd released the album and is still one of the best selling records of all time selling over 30 million copies world wide.

The show was visually and emotionally charged and a sensory overload to say the least.  It was incredible to see Roger Waters, now 67, performing what he calls he Magnum Opus and the production behind the whole performance had to be massive!  

Now, there were many different themes expressed during the show but overall, it was such a great experience and I could not believe how fortunate I was to be able to see it with my Mom and Dad!  This brings up the topic of Thanksgiving, the holiday tomorrow for which many will eat turkey, be with friends but some may never stop to think of what they are thankful FOR.  

I would encourage everyone to take maybe 20 minutes between today and tomorrow to sit down and actually write out what you are thankful for.  I know in my case I have been guilty many a time for taking people, things, experiences for granted. 

Thank you for all of my friends, family, co workers, and you for reading this.  I hope it has inspired you in this season of giving.

Goodbye or 'til Then?

I guess I've always struggled with the concept of saying goodbye.  I don't know, just something about the finality of saying, "Goodbye."  Can someone truly be okay with the knowledge and accepting the fact that you may never them again?  Maybe some can, but personally, I have always had a hard time with it. Whether you say it to Lovers, Friends, Family or whomever comes across your path, I think it is genuinely hard no matter who you are.  Some goodbyes are happy, others are not.  Some end friendly, others more bitterly.  I can recall 2 times in the past where I experienced both sides of the spectrum.  

One was years ago saying goodbye to a dear friend whom I loved very deeply.  As we walked together through the airport (that's how long ago it was) it was a tearful separation.  And the title of this post was actually from her.  "It's not 'Goodbye' but 'Til then.'"  And that phrase and concept has always stuck with me.  Part of it could be the fact that in my mind, the definition of Goodbye is the final meeting with nothing left to salvage and the finality as I mentioned.  

Another way to look at it is the death of a family member.  Until we meet again, there will never be a time to where you can tangibly connect with the person.  When it's done, that's it.

As opposed to 'Til Then which implies another meeting; another chance; another time.

The second was not too long ago.  A close friend of mine was entering a new phase in her life and that part did not include me.  We had stayed close despite the odds and had gone through much together.  She was going to start a new life with someone new and the day that we both knew would come finally did.  As we talked, I reflected back on our friendship, I thought of how funny it had been and after years, the trip had finally ended and it was my time to bow out.  Now despite our long relationship, it was not a bitter goodbye; not even bittersweet.  Rather, it was a refreshingly happy goodbye because I knew what lay in store for her future and my excitement for her to begin this new chapter of her life was prevalent in our talk.

But, ultimately, both of these cases ended in a Goodbye and to say that I was happy in both cases would be a lie.  Call me an idealist but I heard long ago that every person who enters your life is like a shooting star across the sky of your life.  Each with impact you and leave a little piece of them with you to carry on.  I would like to believe that is more common than the simple cut off of past and experiences.  

The thing to I leave you with today is:

Why say goodbye if you don't have to.  

-Keep the good people in your life for a positive influence and say Goodbye to the people who don't benefit you to be a better person.

Are We Growing Up or Just Growing Old?

I pose this question to you to ask this second: What does growing up mean? I think we hear this a lot as kids and later in life.  In fact, I think we hear this all throughout our lives and yet, what does it mean?

Does growing up mean:

• Getting old and boring doomed with nothing but death at the end of the road?
• Becoming more mature? Whatever "mature" means.
• Conforming to the thoughts and ideas of others for acceptance?

Now I'm sure it's a mixture of many things but I often hear, "If only things were like they used to be."

Like what??

I think overall that most advances in technology, medical science and culture as a whole are a good thing.  But I do have to warrant that line of thinking with some things that used to be better.

1. Rock Bands.  Are they really any rock bands out there now that were as heavy as their predecessors?  I mean, Keith Moon of The Who used to take horse tranquilizers before shows just to calm him down. Horse tranquilizers?!? Now THAT is Rock n Roll!
2. Chivalry.  Now this is something I do feel is dead sadly.  Where most guys used to open doors for their dates, now it's just unlocking the doors via the remote...classy.
3. Morals.  This ties a little into number 2 because morals and chivalry are almost one in the same.  But not just to ladies and likewise gentlemen.  What about the lack of common courtesy nowadays?  I find it mind boggling that both genders have just a total lack of morals and respect for their peers, strangers and family too.

Some things do get better with age: wine, cheese and a few others but overall, I think the core difference in "Growing Up" and "Getting Old" is slight.  How you view things in perspective is just as important in developing wisdom as age is.  After all, Age is just a number right? ; )