Just "Be" for Christmas

I am going to keep this reminder to "Be" beside my poinsettia throughout the upcoming Advent Season. This is the month to SOAK up the moments, cherish family and friendships, and take in all the Christmas sights, sounds, and smells. I remember a lovely story about a little girl running into a beautiful flower garden and the gardener standing nearby feared she would pick the biggest one. The girl stopped right beside a rose, leaned over to stick her nose right in it, took several deep breaths, then ran off to play. Perhaps we don't need to own or consume so much...just pause, appreciate everything a bit more, and give something away.  I bet that memory will last :)