As I watch the contributions one man gave the world some thoughts come to me.

 

One small soccer ball and one simple gesture from a man  changed a country.

Imagine what could happen if each of us thought of ONE move to make

 

In the US wearing a team jersey is an act of pride

In South Africa that action spoke of reconciliation.

It became the first step of acceptance of the hated.

 

One act of allowing the world to hear of his son's' HIV

changed every  "HIV leper" into someone worth knowing and  gave HOPE to a whole country.

Just a few sentences changed so many

What could we do in our life that would do the same?.

 

One man spent 27 years, 9850 days in  jail and  still found a way to meet the challenge of   loving  his enemy.

He spent another 23 years, 8395 days meeting one person at a time, changing attitudes and teaching acceptance with love.

Imagine what could happen if each of us met 365 people in a year and met them with love and acceptance.

What a change that would be to our world and there's.

 

Nelson Mandela was no angel, he had flaws just like all of us.

His gift was his ability to move on, to live the law of love and illustrate it to all of us.

One handshake at a time, one soccer game jersey,  or one carefully worded sentence at a time.

Imagine what the rest of us could do if we followed his example.     

 

   

                                    Thanksgiving time....or was it?

Thanksgiving is over?  How was it?  Did you eat   bargains   or turkey?  Did you enjoy the day with the kids playing games or watching football or having a lively conversation? Or were you chasing the sales during the day or evening?

Now, don’t get me wrong I love a bargain.  I will participate in Black Friday and get up in the wee hours. I can chase the sales just like everyone else but this year I privately decided to boycott the Thursday sales. 

I spent several days before the big sales shopping for something to wear to an event and I overheard wives and mothers trying to figure out how to have their Thanksgiving   family gathering.  Each had one or more of   their children or spouses having to work or leave early to sleep so they could be up in the wee hours to sell. 

In so many ways the world is chiseling away at family time, the enjoyment of our holidays and one on one conversation.  Marketing has become part of our family and now they are planning how we have our holiday. People say they see what is happening, resent it but have no way to stop it.  I believe we can only fight these intrusions by letting businesses   know with one email, letter or phone call at a time.  Companies only listen when people complain or when the number crunchers see their idea does not work.  So I am speaking out my feelings.  I want to take my   Thanksgiving Day back and any other holiday they decide to   change for my family by letting them know I am not happy. I may be one small voice but after all Dr. Seuss did make all of us hear” Horton’s   Who”? Won’t you join me?