Merry Christmas!

While I normally have weekends ( sat/sun ) off at work, I switched schedules to hang out with Ruth this Wednesday and help out a co-worker. So, it has worked out well.

I have been listening to Buddhist podcasts after returning home from work. They have allowed me newer perspectives regarding everything. With Christians asking me if I celebrate Christmas or am even a Christian, it can be a little overwhelming.

I don't want to ruin anyone's holiday, but make it my own. There are wonderful things about Christmas one can take in without idolizing what appears a mythology. There is nothing wrong with the mythology either, Buddhism has its own stories. They teach us what is important about our faiths.

I have been meditating on what to do regarding my relationship with Brandy. And I have been recommended to see the relationship as it is, and see if certain aspects color my perspective including: desire, ill-will, stupidity, & fear. As the Buddha taught, all things are impermanent. But instead of looking at the situation with only two possible solutions, I must work to find the multiple solutions and the best within that. Hopefully Brandy can assist me, because she always says she is overwhelmed with everything.

Running of the Santas

The Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance created the annual "Running of the Santas" in Minneapolis this year as a fundraiser. I took Josiah, and he thought it was very fun! We watched hundreds of men and women, young and old, fast and not so fast, dressed as Santa run down Nicollet Mall today. It was quite an opening event for the Holiday Season in our fine city.

There are some who think that Santa should have no place in the Holiday season. Churches are asking followers of Christianity to wear buttons. Description of this grassroot movement as follows:

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Celebrate Christmas Button

I celebrate Christmas is a campaign designed to encourage Christians nationwide and around the world to proudly proclaim the Christ Child as the center of the Christmas Season once again.
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I saw someone wearing one of these buttons and asked her about it. She gave me a button if I promised to wear it. I will find a way to wear it - perhaps on Christmas? But the roots of Christmas are still the pagan Solstice celebration.

Either way I am not that concerned over holiday cultural wars. Instead am thankful for each day and will try to be mindful in all that I do.