As the year progresses to this magical holiday season, we realize that each individual takes a different path to get here. We struggle through the year to make ends meet, to supply for our friends and family. With a year wrought with so much uncertainty, we push forward in our businesses and silently watch other businesses around us shut the doors on their dreams and aspirations.
Too many people have lost their dreams this year. And the remaining few still standing hear more chatter coming out of Washington about taking away more of our freedoms through more regulations and taxes.
Yet we press on.
For me, this has been the year of living in survival mode. Like the pioneers of the west, when danger threatened they would circle the wagons and stubbornly fight to protect their families and friends. I keep saying to those who struggle that when the economy turns around those of us still standing will be leaner and meaner with an efficient business model.
Even during these struggles there is still hope, which brings me back to Christmas. The underlying theme of Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ who brings us renewed hope of new beginnings.
Christmas is a time when we leave behind our differences; unite in a single purpose and share hope and joy. We set aside our internal struggles and look outwardly at those around us. It’s a time of year when we renew old friendships and build new ones. We extend our hand to those who need it.
We gather together with our families and friends and share our sense of well-being, success, or good fortune, forming deeper relations. We live this occasion through the eyes of the children and friends as they excitedly open their Christmas presents.
For a brief moment in time, humanity seems to be a better place.
As we shed off 2011 and look forward to 2012 the heralded exchange, “Merry Christmas” has special meaning for each of us. For me, it means I hope you have a great time with your family and friends and may your new year be blessed with success in all of your ventures, personally and business related.
