Finding Serenity In Noise, Beauty, Service and the Holiday Season.

So this morning construction workers begin the tear off of my roof and it's loud and it will get even louder as the day wears on and they begin using the nail guns to put the new roof on.  So how can I find peace when old shingles and a lot of banging surround me?

The answer is quite simple actually.  I will concentrate on work, concentrate on how the new roof will keep my house dry and safe and concentrate on what the end of the day will bring.  I am exciting to say that this evening I will attend a gala dinner honoring the 100th anniversary of the International Rotary Foundation and yes I am a Rotarian and yes I believe in Service Above Self.  But more importantly than believing in the motto is demonstrating that I follow the motto.  I'd like to believe that I do.  By working towards helping others it is very possible to find serenity.  There is always a sense that helping the world, the community, the people and the environment that surround us will bring us an inner joy and a sense of peacefulness that seems to be lacking.

Serenity can be found in the beauty that surrounds us during this holiday season.  I love looking at the homes decked out in beautiful lights, I love the music playing in stores, choirs in the malls, seeing kids lined up for Santa Claus, I love the sappy old movies and even some of the newer ones - Elf is a favorite now and I love how people actually wish you season's greetings and happy holidays, even if they are strangers to you.  This is truly beautiful and it fills me with joy.

The question is why does this only seem to happen post Thanksgiving through New Year's and why can't we keep it going through out the entire year.  Okay, I understand the music and the lights but can't we keep pleasant greetings in place when we shop, dine, or bump into people on the street?  Can't we be better, more polite drivers and let people in as they change lanes or merge into the highway?

It would be my wish that we turn down the noise, turn up the joy, spread the idea of Service Above Self and bring out serenity into the community around us and into our own lives.

I leave you with this thought - find your serenity in the beauty of yourself.  Believe that with serenity surrounding you you will be able to find the beauty of the season and throughout the year.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!