Hallelujah for WE all - Mark’s Musing Friday Dec. 25, 2009

today’s Musing  written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

 

Morning walk: -14C/6F, clear, Gusta and I ran the alley …. lots of lights indicate wrapping paper is being ripped in many houses; I’m taking her (and her hair to which some small children are allergic) over to my dad’s for the morning so she will miss the ‘soon to descend upon us’ flock of folks (PB’s family) for Christmas morning ritual.

 

Merry Christmas, everyone, and Hallelujah - [Hallelujah, is a Hebrew word, exclamation used chiefly in songs of praise, expression of gratitude or adoration]

 

“I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the word repeat of peace on earth, good-will to men!” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

When I transcribed this I miss-typed it as ‘peach on earth’ . . I liked that idea.

 

Notion or some fairy tale; long ago, far away – inexorably drawn - they saw more than a babe, a ready present for the world. It caught on. Has yet to catch everyone; so many don’t celebrate Christmas, but no other group, religious or otherwise, unites so many in spirit, to throw such a party that children of all ages can’t wait to get out of bed.  No magic potion, perfection wrapped under tree or stuffed in stocking – an occasion when being loved means far less than having someone to give yours to.  For celebrating, laughing, saying we want the world to be all it can be, just for WE all, day of gratitude, or adoration. 

 

Important, I believe, to pause for those who aren’t having that kind of day. I made a list, checked it twice, not naughty or nice; easily glossed over, oft forgot, we laugh and play while they don’t. Let me know who I missed. Amid celebration, jubilation, children, laugher and love – our focus today – with safety and warmth in our homes, I'll think of you today - all day; you are the reasons we all can have joy in our lives; unexpected treat Santa brought you early this year, for us to benefit from every day, just for WE all:

 

Anyone anywhere whose turn it is to work today.

Anyone at home – tucked in bed – feeling ill, feeling sad or feeling blue.

Anyone alone today – their solitude - imposed or chosen, awes me.

Doctors, nurses and staff at hospitals – tending, mending – births, deaths, injuries.

First nation’s peoples – on reservations and off – they live among us, but not with us.

First responders – fire, ambulance, police, city staff - standing by.

Homeless people – some hopeless too – sad, alone, set aside.

Men and women - fighting for our country, for some country, somewhere - in harms way.

Persons with disabilities – from slight to profound, complex – undervalued, under utilized.

 

Merry Christmas, peace and good-will to you all, and to them; I give you this very non sectarian and very Canadian song HALLELUJAH by Leonard Cohen; for WE all, I give you my adoration and praise. May all you’ve dreamed and wished for come true. 

 

I remember writing on October 24; a beach walk on Maui, I saw a sight worth noting that moved me. Among other things that day, I wrote: “We each know what we want, so we think, an understanding of what brings us joy, fears, tears; we each know what makes us happy, what leaves us feeling sad or empty - what makes us let our emotions flow.  Any day, any of us could be standing there, flowing tears and nobody would know why.  Most would walk by, not a care, unable to react - they have their own tears to  cry. Understanding what we want (you, me, us), and how we go about getting it, is something that interests me both in terms of understanding others - and in understanding myself. To be here, and to be without inspiration, is something I cannot imagine; to be here and to be without joy is hard to imagine.  I imagine, for me at least and maybe too for that woman on the beach today - to look out to sea, to see life, to see ourselves, to stand on a beach bathed in tears is probably more about joy than pain, more about open heart than open mind. What I need is found here. I know it.”

 

Revelations, however they come – on a beach or on a cold winter’s night – bring change,  bring joy, focus our vision and renew our purpose – for all of this, I say HALLELUJAH.

 

Mark Kolke

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RESPONSES/COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOME; send to musing@maxcomm.ca

 

 

December 24  Responses  

 

December 24 – DEAR SANTA – Mark thanks for taking time with this piece. I think your Christmas wishes will come true, and the world is at a better place, I hope, when we are becoming who we are meant to be.  Peace. Regards, KC, Calgary, AB

 

December 24 – DEAR SANTA - Powerful post today Mark. Well worth the wait!  I believe we are best to create a world of abundance around us – only then can we share without fear, or regret, or hesitation. When we are feeling fulfilled, like the gate is open and we can come and go at will, then we are creating a world that reflects our beauty – and thus, creating a world of beauty for everyone to share. May your Christmas be merry and bright. May the New Year be filled with gates opening up onto unexpected horizons waiting to be explored, LG, Calgary, AB

 

December 24 – DEAR SANTA - A masterpiece today! I especially like your letter to Santa. Also, I do not believe in selflessness except in situations where you must risk your life to help someone survive. Ayn Rand develops the idea of rational self-interest very well, where if you thereby produce something useful to mankind (and this is one of the things that is meant by rational) you are living to your highest potential, and will be rewarded. The wiser members of the herd understand this, EG, Calgary, AB

 

December 24 – DEAR SANTA - Your "raison d’etre" is before you...just after the milk and cookies.  The heart of a man describes who he "IS", Your "gate" describes a movement away from the familiar and safe into the unknown. It requires trust.  It requires you to have enough of it to step out of the boat and walk on water.  It requires that first step, LP, Wailuku, HI

 

December 24 – DEAR SANTA - May all your wishes, for yourself and for others, come true. I think Santa "gets it". Merry Christmas. Much success in the New Year. MD, Arlington, VA USA

 

December 24 – DEAR SANTA –  "some days if I know the answer, I wonder if I've misunderstood the question" … great, great thought, line, words.  I hope you get what you've asked for this Christmas, this year too. (your  Santa list looks an awful lot like mine). very thoughtful column. When doing good for ourselves is good (eventually) for others, then our wishes coming true is a fabulous gift.  As you said, pain and discomfort, can be paths towards growth and greater happiness.  They always have been for me, (yet I still fight to avoid pain and discomfort when possible), FO, Kaunakakai, HI