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2006/12/08, 08:25 AM
Here is a tale from the Townsend house on Christmas. My oldest son Alex (4) is really aware of Christmas this year. HE is just like any other child extremely excited about getting his presnts. He is also a very giving child. And on his own about a week ago came up with this: My wife watched a show (Oprah I think) where the message was about giving to other people who did not have as much. Alex sat there entranced with all this. The show ended and my wife watched as Alex got up, went to the kitchen, got a plastic grocery bag. He then went to his toy chests and started to pick out toys and place them in the bag. MY wife asked what he was doing, he replied " Mommy there are kids that need Christmas so I am giving some of my toys that I do not need to them" Later that night as she related this to us it brought tears to or eyes. We have since gone out, and bought toys to give to local charitys so Alex can give kids a Christmas.
This folks is what makes my life worth living, my sons and my wife, if all Christmas was, was seeing them safe, healthy, and happy then i would be totaly fulfilled.
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Curl Jockeys, get outta the squat rack!
Warning:Deadlifting going on!
7707mutt@freetrainers.com
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2006/12/07, 10:47 PM
Does anybody else feel this way sometmes,
I hear that in many places something has happened to Christmas; that it is changing from a time of merriment and carefree gaiety to a holiday which is filled with tedium; that many people dread the day and the obligation to give Christmas presents is a nightmare to weary, bored souls; that the children of enlightened parents no longer believe in Santa Claus; that all in all, the effort to be happy and have pleasure makes many honest hearts grow dark with despair instead of beaming with good will and cheerfulness. ~Julia Peterkin, A Plantation Christmas, 1934
Christmas feels more and more like this every year.
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2006/12/07, 11:04 PM
Could we call it the "Andy Williams Syndrome"?
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A little discipline at the table and at the gym might help reduce that belly!
Ivan
Montreal Canada (City of Festivals)
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2006/12/08, 09:43 AM
Frenchfry, I think that the people that feel that way have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. It is to celebrate the birth fo Christ, to be with your family and enjoy it, to fellowship with others, to think of others less fortunate (and do something about it no matter how small), to sing Christmas carols and not woory what you sound like, wo wish a stranger Merry Christmas, to decorate your tree and house (and enjoy that too), to let the children hold on to the magic as long as they can. Too many people make it about shopping, trying to get something on sale even if they have to step over others to get it, to make it a hassle. They have truly forgetten what Christmas is all about. They have made it to complicated, taking every thing that has nothing to do with Christmas and making it thier focus.
Just my opinion
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2006/12/08, 11:00 AM
atiger I know you are right.
Mutt you should be so proud of your son. To think that coming from a 4 year old. I wish My brothers would think of some one other then them selves. Partly my fault I have revolved even changed my entire life to revolve around them. And now I am cranky about it go figure. I have no kids of my own and they have no mother. They being 7 year old twin boys (God save Me Please)You know it is not there fault they break every toy you buy them is it? They are for the most part good boys. But why can I not get into christmas I have no desire to go shopping no desire to set up the tree hang lights. Christmas is like a big black cold ugly snowy cloud haning over my head. Is it the weather? I hate being cold. It sucks It hurts my bones. I don't wanna workout I wanna hide under a rock until the new year is here. Sorry if I am pathetic I know this is a workout site and I am complaining about christmas. Cheer me up please? Every thing about christmas is overdone I wanna be in the olden days where christmas was special. People aren't celebrating the birth of christ any more they celebrate the sales at wal mart. I can't even stand the sound of christmas music- they played it the gym the other day and truthfully I went up to one of the trainers and told him to make it stop. I'm desperate to enjoy christmas not just survive through another one. Am I the only one that feels this way?
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2006/12/08, 11:30 AM
You say that "people do not celebrate the birth of Christ" which is true, but you can. Look at all of the blessings that you have been given. I believe that once you do that, your joy will come.
Now I am not saying that you will all of a sudden like Christmas music while training. :big_smile:
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2006/12/08, 11:51 AM
Frnchfry~
I understand how you feel. When you are growing up, Christmas has all this wonder and sparkle to it, and then as you get older and life starts to take it's toll, the sparkle can fade. My husband and I haven't been able to do "big Christmas" stuff for as long as we've been together because money is too tight. BUT, the spirit is still there. Sure, it makes me sad that last year I got him a pair of socks..I would have loved to give him more, something to show how much I love him. But he loved his socks, because they came from me with a big hug and a kiss.
It doesn't have to be about THINGS. It can completely be about your family/loved ones, and just like Thanksgiving, being truly thankful for the blessings you have. :love:
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2006/12/08, 12:33 PM
Yes, there is a Santa Claus. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.
As I got older, I sorta lost what the season was about. I think we all do as we reach adulthood. It's more about the partys and all that stuff. But once I had kids, it came back. Especially since my daughter was born a week before Christmas. Quite the gift.
I watch as my kids have becoming giving and caring. My son blows me away with his thoughtfulness for other people. He got busted doing something bad and had to donate part of his allowance to charity. He felt pretty good about it. I don't think he has since, but he still cares and thinks about those in need.
I think, and hope it has trickled down from his parents. Four years ago I helped to start a Stuff A Bus in my community. It has grown over the last number of years and we saw a record year this year. We received $25,000 in donations of cash and cheques (one cheque was for 10k) and somewhere between 50 to 60 thousand dollars in toys and food. The mountain was seven feet high. It was amazing to see the giving from my community.
That gave me the Christmas spirit and made me believe that no matter how little it might be, there is some spirit in most of us. No matter what we believe.
So, while the season has ebbed and flowed for me over the past several years, I feel I have found the meaning of Christmas for me. It's in my kid and the people around me that give unconditionally.
t
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I see the words you are typing, but all I read is *click*click*click*
Be here. Live. Love. Hope. Now. Faith. Believe. You. - Keith Urban
They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. - Andy Warhol
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2006/12/08, 04:14 PM
Ah.....this was so nice...I love Christmas...and Christmas music...my favorite is the little drummer boy,always makes me cry...Christmas is what you make it...if you make it all about the parties and the decorations and the presents that have to be bought...then that is what it will be about.If you make it about the love of your family and friends,knowing in your heart it's always better to give than to receive...and making a little birthday cake for Christ...then it will be about that....life is always what you make it...lemons or lemonade...the choice is yours....
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2006/12/08, 04:41 PM
While we're on this subject....what do I do with my bah hum bug of a husband...he has never been a christmas person...I end up just ignoring him every year...how do I give him a big ole' christmas kick in the ass??????:)In a very loving way ofcourse.....
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2006/12/08, 04:49 PM
Celebrate Channukah, maybe he'll join in!
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A little discipline at the table and at the gym might help reduce that belly!
Ivan
Montreal Canada (City of Festivals)
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2006/12/09, 08:04 AM
i like it.
x
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with your hands round my neck at least i get to touch you
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2006/12/09, 10:14 AM
As a beginner for healthy living, finally a subject I know a lot about.
I think the reason lose their "Christmas Spirit" is because it becomes too much of a task. I have to get this, or we have to be here on this day. My wife and I are very active people in our church, and every Friday and Saturday in December is full of activities. When you focus on the wrong things, it's easy to feel this way about the holiday. I'm not gonna get all preachy about the true meaning of Christmas (despite the fact that I could, and use my King James Bible to do it). I do celebrate the savior's birth throught this season, but for those who don't believe, there is plenty to be joyous about.
It will be 6 years since my mom passed away on December 15th. So every year as we get closer to that date, I usually start feeling bummed out. However, I've noticed that there are some things I can do to really get me in the Christmas spirit.
I watch the old specials. Rudolph, Frosty, and Merry Christmas Charlie Brown (my favorite). I've probably watched White Christmas about 4 times already this year. I cry almost everytime when that General walks down those steps in his uniform!
I listen to my Christmas CDs. Yes Christmas music can be very cheesy, but that's why I love it. Does it get any better than John Denver and the Muppets?
I watch new specials too. My wife and I love Jim Carrey as the Grinch. One year we went to Universal Studios in Florida and we were in the Dr. Seuss bookstore and in walked the Grinch. He sat down and read to the kids How the Grinch Stole Christmas. That is one of my best Christmas memories.
Last, I focus way more on what I'm giving to others than what I want. For me, it's all about giving that great gift to someone.
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90 lbs. to lose - Yes this changed down 10 lbs!
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2006/12/11, 09:00 AM
Thankyou, I feel much better this week though it is still overwhelming. I like the idea of making a birthday cake for Jesus I will definitely do this ( Thanks KC). We are also helping to purchase warm hats and gloves for homeless people in our area with our scout group. This seems such a small thing but really is needed. Next year I will plan this better, I intend to adopt a family but it was so late now. And I want to involve the whole family. Trust me I am already planning next years christmas.
We pulled out decorations. And hung our lights. And for the first time in 7 years we got a real tree. I love it. I will never put up a fake tree again. The smell is so wonderful. we had fun decorating. I must say My spirits are lifting. I even bought a Christmas CD. Redneck Christmas CD that is :D. It was a lot of fun just hanging out with the family. Enjoyong the day and singing so off key the 12 days of christmas Red neck style.I have also decided that instead of purchasing meaning less gifts we are going to make gifts for the family. Such as mason jars that have ingredients for baking brownies or such. And hand painted ornaments. Thankyou so much for all of your encouragetment.
I hope all of you have a very wonderful Christmas. Thankyou for showing me what is really important.
Trish
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