​In A World Where You Can Be Anything, Be Kind…

Pam Pollock
December 2018

The end to Daylight Savings Time occurred almost 2 weeks ago. I will state, for the record, that I despise the time change. I hate the fact that the sky is completely dark before 5:30 in the evening. It’s still dark at 7:00 am because of the shorter days. I need light – and lots of it – in my life.

This old world needs more light, metaphorically speaking. The world and its inhabitants need love and kind deeds and understanding. I think we are all beaten and bow down with the nastiness of politics and the hate crimes committed by unhinged people. I know that I have asked this question thousands and thousands of times before, but why can’t we all just get along? We don’t have to agree with each other – but we should be able to sit beside each other and be understanding of each other’s beliefs and lifestyles without passing judgment worse.

I love to take photographs (and I pretty sure that most of you know that…). Many of my photo subjects are, of course, my grandchildren. But my other favorite subject is nature. I find solace in focusing my camera lens on trees in the forest. Peace flows over my heart as I stand there listening only to the birds singing and the leaves rustling in the breeze. I tend to focus on finding the sun peeking through the branches of the towering trees. I get very excited when I am able to capture “sun flare”, which adds a golden glow to my photograph and creates a magical moment. I realize that in doing this, I am seeking more light.

Christmas is 5 weeks away and a majority of the people will suddenly be filled with benevolence and cheerfulness (for about 1.5 weeks). They will smile at you when you bump into each other in the crowded supermarket. They probably won’t flip you the bird and mutter cuss words when both of you are attempting to park in the same spot at the crowded shopping mall. Some will even hold the door open as you try to carry an arm load of boxes into the Post Office. You will encounter smiles and random “Merry Christmas” greetings from strangers on the street. And then, the day after Christmas, it’s back to business as usual with impatient, snarling people.

Why can’t we keep that spirit of happiness and good tidings in our hearts and lives 24.7, 365 days a year? Why can’t we do good deeds and show tolerance for other’s beliefs every day? Why can’t we coexist in harmony? I don’t want my grandchildren to have to grow up living in fear that someone could, at any moment, open fire in their school or a restaurant or a Church. I expect tolerance (but I would love to see love and understanding) from society when two people of the same sex fall in love.

Jesus was born in a lowly manger over 2,000 years ago. His blessed arrival was proclaimed by the angels on high to be the difference between light and darkness itself.

My wish for all of us is to find the Light – and to be kind, all year long.

Merry Christmas, everyone.