Gifts, Memories and Today.

source: Amazon

As I posted previously, Chanukah with my family was rather disjointed due to a 2 week contract for me. We finally exchanged gifts as a family (Mommy, Mario, Little Suzy, Gracie the wonder beagle and me) on New Years Day. I scored a major haul. Texting gloves (for texting while driving in cold weather), a tripod for my smart phone (hello, vlogging) a huge bag of Belly Flops (all the flavors, all the calories, a fraction of the price) and the Tom Lehrer collection (including a DVD of a concert from Oslo, hopefully subtitled).

Matt Jaffe

I was turned on to Tom Lehrer in junior high by Matt Jaffe (if you enjoy hiking, check out Matt at about.com). We spent hours listening to That Was The Year That Was. I even went with Matt and his family to see Tom Lehrer for a McGovern fundraiser. In retrospect, McGovern needed a vote raiser. I understood much (not all) of Lehrer's context and the time spent with Matt and Tom certainly shaped who I am today.

As I was listening to the CD yesterday, I realized that Mario is the same age I was when I started listening to Tom Lehrer. I know Mario wouldn't listen to Tom Lehrer with me. Mario is very young for his age and being an Aspie, Mario can't share my sense of humor. I know Mario picks up on household values from our conversations. Still I am concerned about how Mario will shape his views on the world around him. Friends help kids with defining themselves (especially during those years when parents know nothing) and being an Aspie, Mario has no friends. Finally I know there are no simple answers and things work out. Still, I can't help but worry.

Any recent gifts that bring up old memories? Any worries about your kids that you like to think you can change, but really can't change?

The Last Week Of The Year.

Chirstmas is in the rear view mirror (except for those enjoying a day off because Christmas occurred on a weekend), Chanukah is down to the last candles and the Winter Solstice has left us all with a little more daylight each day. It's time to write down the game plan for 2012. But wait, what about Kwanzaa?

source: The Official Kwanzaa Website

Kwanzaa begins today and runs through New Years Day. Anything I know about Kwanzaa, I learned from Wikipedia, so please see the link for a brief summary of Kwanzaa. As I read about Kwanzaa, I realized that Kwanzaa is the perfect holiday for the last week of the year.

The foundation of Kwanzaa are the Seven Principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, collective economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Kwanzaa was designed as a unique African-American holiday. For those of us that don't celebrate Kwanzaa, the Seven Principles are a perfect "check list" for meaningful New Year resolutions.

I'm an annual member of the eat less, eat better, exercise more resolutions club. The better fitness resolutions are great, but since I make them annually my success (lack of) at better fitness is obvious. This year, I'm going to look to Kwanzaa and try and make changes that will make 2012 a true watershed year.

Best wishes to all for a Joyous Kwanzaa.

ROL: Winter Solstice.

ROL (Return on Life) is a qualitative metric modeled on the quantitative metric, ROI (return on investment). The concept behind ROL is to make small incremental changes in habits that generate a disproportionately greater increase in QOL (Quality of Life). Today's ROI involves seeking the light.

Today is the Winter Solstice, a pagan winter festival. In simplest terms, the winter solstice is the day with the least amount of daylight and the most darkness. The Winter Solstice is the darkest day of the year and for the next six months each day has a smidge more daylight and a touch less darkness. Yeah!

source: morgueFile.com

If you pay attention to the news, way too many people have had a rotten 2011. According to the U.S. Census nearly 50% of the USA is poor or nearly poor. Since Congress is perfectly willing to go on "winter break" despite this poor national embarrassment, I too will give politics a break until Congress returns to work. For those happy to be rid of 2011 the Winter Solstice indicates that the tide could be turning. A little less darkness and a little more light.

For those that flourished in 2011 the Winter Solstice means that each following day offers a little more light to shine on and bask in the accomplishments of 2011. It's great to celebrate success, just be careful to build on success while enjoying the fruits of those successes. Too much celebration and not enough planning could turn these successes into mere memories.

Since I've written all "sweetness and light" about the Winter Solstice, how will I handle the 180 degree shift of the Summer Solstice?, I hear you think. I've got six months, I'm sure I'll think of something. How about you? How do you view the solstice or any other of this winter's festivals? How was your 2011 and how do you feel about 2012? Take a moment and share with the class.