Not Just a Neighborhood

As the clock winds down upon another year, it is amazing how our self-preservation system really kicks in. What do I mean? Even though we might not like or agree with the things we face individually or collectively as a society, we subconsciously leave them in the past on New Year's Eve and welcome a new and refreshing time with the "Baby New Year". The demarcation line between 2008/2009 will be drawn. We believe that change will be a good thing.

Thinking back over the years, I remember going to Woolworth's or S. H. Kress Stores with my brother Richard. He loved to decorate for every holiday and New Years wouldn't be complete without loud noise makers and confetti. When he got older, he would wisely save some of his fireworks from the 4th of July to set off for New Years.

New Years Eve during the 50's meant we got to have special treats like Welch's Grape Juice, maybe even two glasses of the sweet nectar. Mom would most likely bake a ham, baked beans, potato salad, and in good years we had soda. Finally eating ourselves to overload, sleeping but arising early so we could watch the Rose Bowl Parade. Tradition that slowly faded into memories.

Life seemed so simple then. As a child life just didn't have a lot of drama to it, even for the adults. The Korean War was going on, but we didn't have social media that kept it in our faces then. War, socialism, communism, uprisings and the Russian/American Space Race was given to the public in small doses. For our part of the world, all was well. There wasn't a consideration for other countries or their people. They were not part of the "table conversations".

Society has changed drastically and social media has changed the way we see as well as interact with the world. We have all become part of the global community, not just a neighborhood any longer.

Change is the only thing that is constant and creates daily choice. I invite you to join me each day in January right here on MUD Splats to explore and be encouraged as we bein a new year, new steps into a world that we have the choice to make better by how we think and how we react/act.

MUD Splats January Blog is dedicated to the theme: Change A quote of the day with inspiration and encourgement. I look forward to sharing with you and hearing back through your comments.
YOU make a difference!

Until later,
Susan Storm Smith

Morphed Traditions

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season, no matter what your tradition may be. Like much of the nation here in America, we had lots of snow and freezing weather. Today it is raining and the snow is quickly melting. I kind of liked the snow, at least to look at. Wherever you are, be safe, be encouraged, and be purposeful.

Reading through some of my friend's blogs, I had to take a few moments and reflect how life has changed in our traditions over the past few years. With family spread over the nation, and one in the military the family traditions have made their way into a morphed rendition of old and new, families merging and becoming their own. After all, isn't that what life is about? Becoming transformed through challenges and sandpaper relationships?!

For me, the Christmas season is not a couple of weeks. Choosing rather to do the unexpected all year for friends and family, sending or giving of gifts for no special reason other than loving the person and wanting to do something special. I used to cook and make treats, putting them on don't return party trays and delivering them. Christmas has become what Jesus intended, a lifestyle.

Yes, there are special songs and special treats, church programs and remembrances but as Dickens says at the end of A Christmas Carol, Scrooge became a man of his word, and he celebrated all year long. [paraphrase]

So as we approach 2009 and we begin to think about this year that is quickly passing, expectations forming for the new year, let us think of a lifestyle that reflects the traditions of our heritage--YOU do make a difference to somebody!

Remember: Everything starts with one word and/or one step, point yours in the direction of success!

Until next time,