HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

HAPPY WHAT!

Did I just wish you a "Happy Holidays"? Why didn't I say Merry Christmas? I'm being unAmerican!

This time of the year is not just for Christmas, nor is it a holiday season that is specific to just the United States (No, not everything revolves around my country. Just because my last name is Bush, doesn't mean that I'm trying out for one of Dorothy's escorts!). I haven't counted the number of different holidays, but one thing I know is that all the people who gather together to spend time with family and friends, all want one thing: Peace. So why shouldn't I wish everyone who gathers together during this time of year, and prays for "peace" a Happy Holiday, instead of a Merry Christmas? To me it just doesn't matter, one way or another, just as long as the end result is a lasting peace on earth for everyone, no matter your race, religion, culture or sexual preference. We are all interconnected, no matter our beliefs.

Besides, you forget, I'm Buddhist.

So, a happy Dia de los Santos Inocentes on December 28 to anyone in Spain, or of Spanish decent. There's Boxing Day, which I believe is the day after Christmas in England. Happy Hanukkah of course. Then there is the Islamic celebration of 'Eid-ul-Fitr on December 16, 2007, and Kwanzaa. I can't forget my friends in Viet Nam (This is the correct spelling, for anyone questioning my ability to spell.). I wish we were with you for Tet this February! Whoops! I forgot Bodhi Day which honors the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, who is also referred to as "The Buddha".

And to those of you who celebrate no religious holiday, but choose to celebrate your life and love for each other, our love especially goes out to the two of you, too, (and anyone else who have been discriminated against because of their love, and beliefs. Someday the injustice will be corrected. Of course in our hearts there is nothing but acceptance of that which is meant to be.).

To our old friends, to our new friends, and to our friends we have yet to meet, Keely and I send our love to you this holiday season. Remember the words of a wise seagull who once told a student:

If our friendship depends on things like space and time, then when we finally overcome space and time, we've destroyed our own brotherhood! But overcome space, and all we have left is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now. And in the middle of Here and Now, don't you think that we might see each other once or twice?

(Thank you Mr. Bach for your wonderful book about a seagull who learns to fly!)

Yes, I'll stick with Happy Holidays to everyone! To me it seems the right thing to do!

What do you mean there's nothing about raw food in this post? Doesn't inner peace come from providing that which we inhabit with foods that are nutritious? Raw foods result in nothing dying. Raw foods are about peace and life!

Oh, yeah, the neat graphic is courtesy of Crystal Cloud Graphics (there, I've fulfilled their request for allowing me to use their wonderful clip art! Click on their name, and check them out!)

Remember, there's nothing better in the world than Peace. If you don't believe me, just ask a child...

Happy Holidays, and peace my friends.