jakorte's blog

Do you remember making lists as a kid – for birthdays, holidays. Things you’d like others to give you that maybe you saw on tv or at a friends house, music you heard on the radio. How long has it been since you’ve made a wish list? You know, a real out-there no-holes-barred list of things you want?

I've had a running list of minor wants for a while. Some people consider some of them needs, but so far I'm doing ok without them.
I sort of want a few things - like a digital book reader - although I won't even consider buying one until I read all the books in my accumulated pile. I want to make it to Ireland next year, too. These aren't really wishes, though. They're more like short term goals. The real wishes are the ones we keep to ourselves; the ones that are so outrageous and unlikely that we won't voice or pen them.

I recall having conversations with adults and not really believing them when they said all they really wanted was world peace. Full of my own youthful wisdom, I was pretty sure they were full of it. I thought that they just said those things to teach us valuable lessons about the cost of what we were asking for; or that they either really just had enough stuff or just not enough imagination.

Since my longing list of tangibles is nearly non-existent, I guess I'm thinking more like an adult lately. Yeah, complete world peace would be nice. I'm wishing for no abused children, free comprehensive health care, and a couple of hours without conflict of any sort. I was wondering about this frame of mind and it's acceptability, when I happened across a fb post that said what I would've said if I could have thought of a way to say it. So, I requested permission to reprint. I appreciate that permission was granted, and hope you see what I saw in these true wishes.

“Give me a present! Sounds a little selfish. I’m asking ALL my FB friends 2 show those you encounter between now and Dec 25 sum LOVE. NOT just the ones that are easy 2 love but even those who make it tuff. I know you ALL can do it! Knowing that the 118 friends of my little FB world are showing LOVE is the greatest gift I could ever get. It doesn't cost a penny!! Let’s do everything we can to change the world!

Please note that showing LOVE has nothing to do with kissing, hugging etc……Showing LOVE is being kind! Being patient and really caring about your/our fellow man, even the one who cuts us off in traffic, laughs when we slip and fall and for whatever reason we look at as jerks. Sometimes it means speaking up when we see injustice sometimes it means shutting our mouth when our words can do harm. I know that I have friends out there who are not Christian or religious and at least a couple who don’t believe in religion/GOD at all.

I admit that the “love is patient and kind” comes from the bible but I am NOT making any attempt to convert you. I TRULY believe that we CAN change the world one person at a time and it starts with me and you!

BEWARE! Showing kindness and love to others can be something that also changes YOUR life! You may find yourself “loving others” even beyond December 25! I CAN, YOU CAN,WE CAN CHANGE FOR THE BETTER!!”