Someone left out the best part of the story

[DestMasters]

I think someone skipped a BIG part of the story 

So, we're here in Georgia visiting my brother.  It's sort of our Thanksgiving tradition. 

Part of the "tradition" is going to Stone Mountain.  I took my now 12-year-old son there when he wasn't quite 2-years-old.  We walked up Stone Mountain and back down.  We went through creeks that were off parking lots and just had fun in a toddler way.  Since that time, the state no longer owns the property and it's become quite the "theme park" type event but it is still very fun.  During the holidays, they have the village lit up with more than 2 million lights, old fashioned carolers, exhibitions of glass blowers, funnel cake, hot chocolate and all sorts of things.  The sky lift still runs to get people to the top of Stone Mountain or folks can walk up.  It's about a 1.5 mile hike and it's beautiful. 

There is a train that goes around the base of Stone Mountain.  During the holidays they have certain areas decorated with Christmas lights along the train route and they play Christmas songs over the speakers on the train.  There is a fun display of the 12 Days of Christmas which just happens to coincide with the song coming over the speakers.  About ¾ of the way through the ride, the train arrives at a replica of an old town and there, in the center of things, sits "Grandma".  (Okay, last year it was "Grandpa".)  The train stops and everyone listens to a story called The Gift.  The Gift is about the birth of Christ and is accompanied by lights being illuminated at appropriate parts of the story.  There is a star, angels, shepherds, kings, an infant, the parents....you get the idea.  It's very nice and gives everyone that warm and fuzzy feeling.  

Of course, I'm the perpetual critic.  While I understand that time is limited in the telling of the story, I couldn't help but wonder why the story was about a star in the sky, angels spreading the word, the shepherds trying to find the baby, them realizing to look in the barn and finding the baby there with his parents and three kings, his giving his life for us and how that is "The Gift".  What about the whole story?  What about everything Christ stood for?  What he did while he was alive?  How he was human yet tried to always act with grace and love?  How he walked from place to place trying to teach other humans to just love each other?  I really, really had to wonder.....are folks so focused on the death of Christ that they've forgotten the life of Christ?  Are they clinging so tightly to having that salvation they believe in that they really, truly have lost sight of everything Christ stood for during his life?  Could that be why there are so many people who have forgotten to be Christ-like while referring to themselves as Christian? 

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Jesus Christ    

As a Buddhist, I enjoy studying the various figures of our spiritual history; be it Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Muslim or any other number of religious philosophies.  Over the years I've been fortunate to meet many people open and giving enough to share their perspectives.  These people were Rabbis, Priests, Ministers, Priestesses, Lamas and so much more.  One thing that always, always seemed to practically knock me off my chair was how incredibly similar all of these schools of thought really are.  

The message during the life of all of these men, and women, was always one of compassion, grace, forgiveness, love and peaceful coexistence.  Yes, there were other things they taught and said and really, when you read these other things, you realize that they were all tied in to the compassion, grace, forgiveness, love and peaceful coexistence they all stood for.

 Why then, during a season meant to honor the birth of Christ, the anniversary of the enlightenment of the Buddha, Eid al-Adha, Hanukkah, Yule and a myriad of other holidays are we going from the birth to the death and forgetting the substance.  Why do we seem to focus on the ending and not on the lesson?  I understand the significance of the birth and death of Christ.  This, however, is not about those two things.  This is about the lessons, the teachings and the compassion.  This is about my confusion of walking the walk and just talking the talk.  

I have always thought that the holiday season and the warm and giving feelings associated with the season should last all year.  I really don't think that Christ chose just a few weeks of each of his years to be kind and loving to others.  I don't think he felt that his lessons should only apply when convenient or when everyone felt the same way.  I think that he, as with the other spiritual figures, hoped that their lessons, their ideas and love for others, would be practiced now as when they were practicing it.  Daily.  Regardless of if we're feeling stress, joy, anger, generosity, greed......we should always strive for our best.  Our best isn't outdoing one another.  It's having compassion for one another.

"Consider others as yourself. " Buddha  

Oddly enough, while this season can often bring out the best in people, it can also bring out the absolutely worst.  The rush of shopping, the crowds, the traffic...yeah, there's a recipe for anger.  So, let's try this.  When you're in the long line at the store and the customer in front of you is taking just a bit longer than you think they should, instead of sighing and tapping the old foot, smile.  Just smile.  If you don't feel like it, do it anyway.  What would Christ do?  Would he suck his teeth, tsk, sigh and glare at the person in front of him?  Would the Buddha tap his foot, shuffle his feet, crane his neck to look at the cashier as if that would hurry things along?  I have a hunch these men would take the opportunity to, if not speak with the people around them, reflect on what really matters; how to improve ourselves, how to make the life of others better and more full.

"Do not consider any act of kindness insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face." Muhammad Quote 

I dare you, I double-dog dare you, to try to smile every single time you want to throttle someone.  I dare you to take all the warm, fuzzy goodness and carry it through the entire year.  I double, triple-dog dare you.

 

 

 

[cleanaturalady]

Nov. 28, 2009 at 8:41 PM

Double, triple dog-dare!  Whoa!

I heard someone talk once about a tombstone and the dates of birth and death and the dash in between.  He said, it is not the dates on either side, but what we do with the dash that matters.  So true, even though to Christians, Jesus' birth and death hold ultimate significance in our faith, it is still what he did in his life that teaches us how to live as he did, which, as Christians, is our charge.

Thanks for the reminder.

[parrishsky]

Nov. 28, 2009 at 8:49 PM

I find it much easier to smile at others then to be upset that they're writing a check or fumbling in their purse. I'm going to remember this journal and the words of JC, Buddha and Muhammad if I ever feel an angry urge.

Great journal Dest !

[shymom24]

Nov. 28, 2009 at 9:08 PM

Oh dest I love this journal! I think this is the best, most profound thing I have read from you which speaks highly because you always have something so enlightning to say!  I think everyone should have to read this. I needed this tonight. I just love this. If you dont mind I would like to share this with my chilren, as I want them to learn this very important "lesson" that you have given us this evening. I will smile at the urge of anger..........

[JoyeAustin]

Nov. 28, 2009 at 9:28 PM

Awesome thoughts, great journal.  ♥

[LisaLulu]

Nov. 28, 2009 at 9:37 PM

I also think this was written for me at this time in my life.  Thank you.  You are a wise and wondrous woman....

[uggs-lover]

Nov. 28, 2009 at 9:54 PM

Fabulously written, Destiny. I think that so many people need the reminder...getting caught up in the season is very strenuous...and it is nice to be reminded that even if we don't all have the same beliefs, the season is really about kindness, and caring about those around us, really....great post. I just LOVE it!

[bethany49]

Nov. 28, 2009 at 11:15 PM

Wonderful post - I also have heard from a pastor during his "speech" at 2 different memorial services the reference to the dates & the dash. The beginning date & end date aren't what matters but the dash in between which is an entire person's life. I love this post & agree that ppl need to be kind, compassionate & loving to others 365 days a year!!!

[uggs-lover]

Nov. 29, 2009 at 12:13 AM

I have been thinking about this post all evening...I really hope that many others read this. I think that it is so important. It really opens up a reality for many....something important for everyone, really. Thank you again, Destiny for posting this....you are such an amazing woman. I admire you so much!

[KTMOM]

Nov. 29, 2009 at 10:07 AM

awesome journal Dest,  great way to start my day.  

[ibebreezy]

Nov. 29, 2009 at 10:37 AM

i've always thought it was weird that the main symbol of christianity was the cross which signifies jesus' death as opposed to the fish that represents his life and works