Anticipation, It's Making You Wait...

Do you remember when you were a child how you wished you could be a grown up? You wanted to be an adult so you could do certain things? Or you wished for the weekend to come fast, or you wished for the last day of school to arrive quickly? And of course our parents always snuffed our anticipation for these wishes to come true by telling us, "Don't wish your life away!" "Stay a child as long as you can!"

Well, whether we want to believe it or not...the Holiday Season is fast approaching us! Don't wish it to be upon us so quickly so it can be done and over with for "it is the most wonderful time of the year" to make this Season one of ANTICIPATION for everyone, including yourself!

In every culture there is a Season of Giving.

Each person can sense the anticipation,

feeling the excitement in the air.

It is, perhaps, the only time age-old traditions are still followed

and new traditions are formed.

"Seven Principles of Kwanzaa"

Beliefs become restored. Senses become more in tune,

sharper than before. . .anticipation. . .

"Ramadan - EID - Celebration of Ending the Fast"


. . .The Biblical stories, legends, and myths all become real

Chanukah

for that one moment in time. . .anticipation. . .

. . .Magic comes alive. . .anticipation. . .

(A list of countries and the name they use for Santa Clause)

United States of America and Canada - Santa Claus; Brazil - Shengdan Laoren; Chile - Viejo Pascuero; Dutch - Sinter Klaas; England - Father Christmas; Europe - Saint Nicholas; Finland - Joulupukki; France - Pere Noel; Germany - Saint Nikolaus; Hawaii - Kanakaloka; Holland - De Kerstman; Hungary - Tel-apo/Mikulas/ Winter Grandfather; India - Santa Claus, Baba ; Italy - Babbo Natale; Japan - Hoteiosho; Lithuania - Kaledu Senelis; Morocco - Black Peter; Netherlands - Kerstman; Norway - Julenissen; Peru - Papa Noel; Poland - Swiety Mikolaj; Russia - Ded Moroz; Scandinavia - Julenisse; Spain - El Nino Jesus; Sweden - Tomten/Jultomten

. . .Everyone's heart opens to give and to receive kindness and love;

the want of sharing the abundance by extending

one's long-arm-of-tolerance across the boundaries

Celebration of Jesus' Birth

- accepting each other for whom they are

and what is believed in becomes real.

A brief, yet poignant, moment that does last a lifetime,

if and when it is allowed.

We can even consider the first day of school after summer vacation a holiday to celebrate! School will be starting in about three weeks, oh! the anticipation parents must be feeling right now about the freedom they will have once the kids are back at school. The best way to explain the anticipation parents feel is to watch it...(click on the link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFsTPx5UrbA We mustn't forget the anticipation the kids are feeling about seeing their friends, about playing football, basketball, and soccer, and about school activities.

"Trick Or Treat' is what we say as we begin to count the days until October 31st, Halloween - Oh! and the excitement of dressing up as something scary, something pretty, or someone famous! Heck with the plastic pumpkins to collect the treats! Use a large shopping bag, you can get more! Actually, the shopping bag will break. Better yet - use the re-usable shopping bags! They won't break and they will hold a lot!!

The anticipation as we wait for the door bells to ring - no one is there when we answer, the toilet paper draping over tree branches, and the dreaded eggs on your car or house (we pray "please, let them use silly string!)

. . .Anticipation begins to overwhelm us as we 'Give Thanks' on Thanksgiving Day. We make sure we use the same traditions handed down from generation to generation - "Don't forget Great Grandma's cornbread & sausage stuffing for the turkey!" "Mom's pumpkin pie will definitely be the perfect dessert!" Everyone is coming to our house this year, we need more chairs, we need a bigger table, we do have enough tableware...and anticipation continues to build. . .

. . .And the Holiday Rush for some of us begins! The Day After Thanksgiving, "Black Friday" for the retailers; for the average person, we need to get all the deals - must be at this store at 4:00 am to make sure to be in the store first to be one of the first 50 to get the iPod at a whopping discount. And it seems it's the beginning of the end...RUSH, RUSH, RUSH.

I wonder?!?!?. . .what it would be like if we, as is done in other countries, start celebrating the holiday season about two months before. Just imagine how ANTICIPATION would build when it is realized that the perfect gift could be found at one's leisure; that there is time to stop and enjoy friends and family; that attending all of the open houses you are invited to would actually happen!

Back to reality, RUSH - RUSH - RUSH, ANTICIPATION!

...Anticipation...Picture in your mind's eye how your children, nieces, nephews, cousins, parents, brothers & sisters, friends and that person you are a "secret friend" to at work - will react to that special unique yet sublime gift you took the time to choose for them. Think about what they want and that you fulfilled their wishes. Feel in the pit of your stomach the excitement as you envision each reaction. Can't you just feel the ANTICIPATION as each gift is opened? It's almost like going over a hill fast in your car and your stomach flip flops - a roller coaster ride.

Enjoy the happiness you brought to them as you practice the gift of giving!

Anticipation. . . A new year approaches. Celebration begins! . . . anticipation. . .as the ball drops at Time Square. Another year of milestones made - births, weddings, graduations as well as the sadder side - job loss, foreclosure, extreme budgeting to make sure survival wins - has passed. We look to the future with hope, happiness and harmony pushing fear aside.

A new beginning! A better tomorrow!

Change will happen, bringing us closer!

May all be blessed with the anticipation of knowing -

- the best is yet to come!

Anticipation...Is Making You Wait. . .It's keeping you guessing!

Many Blessings!