Why I still love Christmas

 

Let me state at the outset that my love of Christmas has nothing to do with religion. My views on religion are clearly stated in my books, Waking God: The Trilogy. https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B00A1PVF80&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_88dpybB9GT2X8

This is not say that I don't like the "spirituality" that Christmas represents. In fact, that's a big part of what I like. Keep in mind that Christmas was really a pagan holiday celebrating the winter solstice and the returning of the light. It was co-opted by the Christians.

I grew up in a blue collar family and money was often an issue. However, my childhood was happy and somehow my Christmas' were great. Always got that one big present that that made the day despite family financial constraints. Guess being the youngest of five had its privileges.

I lived in a neighborhood that had lots of kids of varied ages. It was fun. The holidays brought snow forts and snowball ball fights, sledding, indoor game playing, and just an overall good time. Christmas day involved dinner at Nana's where all the aunts, uncles, and cousins converged for more presents, good food, and overall mayhem.

Colored lights and Santas where everywhere, shopping in Boston was usually an interesting experience, and Christmas music displays, and TV shows were in abundance. In the teen years there was the hunt for the "perfect" gift for the latest girlfriend, and there were also times of sadness if there was a breakup and the cold and darkness of the time of year seemed never ending. The trip home for the holidays from college was a welcomed respite from the rigors of finals and a time to re-connect with family and friends. Christmas was not always a time of comfort and joy, but it was always a time remembered.

Christmas in later years when the kids were young was a time to go broke, in a positive way, and we continued with old traditions of family gatherings. Sure, we bought into the consumer culture and bought the newest and latest for the kids. It was fun and it made me feel happy. And that's the bottom line: Christmas makes me happy, nostalgic, and I still get as excited as I did when younger.

All of the spiritual reasons aside, the joy and warmth of Christmas is simply a brief moment on the calendar that I will always cherish.

Blessing of Peace, Love, and Light to ALL people everywhere this holiday season-May the joy be with you.

Where are all of the holiday commercials?

 

In recent years there has been a chorus of complaints, mine included, about Christmas commercials starting even before Halloween. The buy now, shop early was really annoying. This year, holiday commercials are almost non-existent, relatively speaking. The most I've seen so far are from car dealers, the little else. Why? Have companies seen the light? Have they decided to not annoy people?

Even more interesting is the total lack or new products--new fads to attract the weak minded, weak willed, the keeping up with the Jones', and the gullible. No really new gadgets-just old models made bigger or slightly modified. Star Wars-boring, been there, done that.

Yeah, there are Black Friday and pre-Black Friday and post Black Friday emails advertising sales, but it's all just same old stuff. What is going on? Are companies just trying to save on expenses? Are they concerned that wanton consumerism is a thing of the past? Do they know something about the economy that we don't? For an economy that has rebounded this lack advertising is disconcerting. The lack of anything new is bothersome.

On the one hand I was happy not to be inundated with ads in October. But here we are, the week of Thanksgiving, and I'm still not seeing what has become the normal bombardment of jingle bell ads.

When Wall Street doesn't act in their normal greedy way, it is worth taking notice; it is worth wondering why.

Stop Complaining and Just Party!

Millions of people will be celebrating Christmas. Actually, celebrations around December 21st can be found in every major culture throughout history. There are also lots of complaints about Christians shoving this holiday into everyone's face. If you follow my blogs or have read any of my books, I am no fan of religious dogma. However, neither do I object to celebrations that, at least philosophically, encourage love and giving.

One doesn't have to be a Christian to party; to have a good time; to get together with friends; to share a feeling of love. The world needs more parties and less bitching about them. Let's celebrate more festivals and spend less time on hatred and war. Maybe if we did this, we'd come to see that there are many wonderful traditions that actually call for togetherness rather than separation. Get past what the institutions may do and get to the message. Let's all be reborn into the spirit of love and joy. Have a party for whatever reason and have a few moments of fun. Maybe it will go viral.

MY HOLIDAY THOUGHTS FOR YOU

Pain is an alarm given by the body to let you know that something is not right. A headache may be telling you that you need more sleep or need to drink more water. A heart condition may be saying you need to reduce stress or fatty foods. Cancer may be saying that you need to not keep things in that eat away at your life.

While most now accept the fact that the state of mind, past and present, have a direct effect on your physical health, many still do not understand or accept that mental states affects every other aspect of life. Spiritual leaders from all cultures and religions have proclaimed the same fundamental truth; your thoughts and beliefs are the controlling factors in your job, relationships, health, and overall well-being.

What does this mean for you? This means that you are literally the architect of your everyday life. It means that each moment, you choose what the next moment will bring. It means you have the power to choose happiness, love, prosperity and abundance. It means that despite what you read in the news, you do not have to live a life of fear, lack, loneliness or ill-health.

We discover what we are, by experiencing what we are not. People often dwell on past “errors” and are consumed by them; they let these “errors” control their thoughts and therefore their reality. There are no mistakes. When you have committed what you believe to be an error you discover an aspect about yourself that requires attention. Just like with the headache, the pain caused by so called “mistakes” tells you that you need to adjust a part of your thought process. Focus upon what you have learned about yourself from such perceived errors and you shall evolve one more notch. By focusing on the new knowledge rather than the event, the pain goes away and the new information is now a tool to help you live a better life. A lesson learned is not a mistake.

The return of the Sun on the Solstice is also symbolized by Christmas. 2009 may be a very trying year for those who get caught up with the fear and anxiety of world events. These events are just like the headaches and the so-called mistakes. If society learns, it evolves. Most of the current adults on the planet are here to usher in a new paradigm. We created a world of fear to learn that fear only leads to sadness and destruction. We created an illusion of darkness in order to better understand and appreciate the LIGHT Was it a mistake? Not if we learn the lesson. With the returning Light, armed with the knowledge gained from our recent history, we are now in the position to totally change the world’s reality. We did good! We messed things up so bad that no rational being could possibly want to “stay the course.” We have brought the people to the borders Promised Land. It is just around the bend. If “we” do not enter, rest assured, our children will.
So in this Holiday season take solace and comfort. You have not made mistakes. What you did was necessary to bring yourself, and the world, to this precious moment of change and evolution. There is truly nothing to forgive. There is nothing to regret. You have brought the world to the GREAT AWAKENING and it could not have happened without YOU!

In the BLESSING OF LIGHT AND LOVE rejoice; for the time draws near when all of your hopes, dreams and highest desires shall be manifest. YOU are the SECOND COMING and you are here, NOW!

IF YOU HAVE TEENAGERS

I am going to be featuring some of my books here for the holiday. Since they all have an important message about society, personal transformation and ways to inprove your life, what better gift to give for -dare I say- CHRISTMAS!!!

A MAINE CHRISTMAS CAROL

A MAINE CHRISTMAS CAROL is more than a retelling of the Dickens classic. It is a contemporary look at modern society with a focus upon young adults. Set in Hallowell, Maine we find old Scrooge replaced by 16 year old TJ. Having lost his father in Iraq, TJ has turned to drugs in an attempt to cope with a world that he feels has spun out of control. TJ alienates himself from his family and friends and his father returns in spirit, like Jacob Marley of old, in an attempt to steer his son from the path of self-destruction. As one reviewer says of the novel, "In the guise of the well loved tale it reminds us of the effects of modern life, its drugs, wars and poverty, on its people. It gives us the hope and optimism that is much needed in our contemporary world." This novel has received numerous pre-publication reviews that praise its style and content. The English editor of Arabesques Literary and Cultural Review says it is a "biting Christmas fable for out times. Read it, weep, and rejoice."

A Maine Christmas Carol is a moving replay of the Christmas classic. It comes to life in its portrayal of the character of TJ, a realistic portrait of a disenfranchised youth. He struggles to deal with the loss of his father and fears loving his family in case he loses them also. By becoming totally self absorbed he only has to think about himself, by putting down others he maintains his wall of uncaring. The author, Philip Harris, has managed to create a sympathetic, understandable character even as TJ scares the elderly and young children alike.
A strong, thorough and meaningful plot is enveloped within of these pages. At around 100 pages it is a poignant and timely reminder of the meaning of caring in today’s world. Its well chosen words enable a full length novel to inhabit the pages of a novella. In the guise of the well loved tale it reminds us of the effects of modern life, its drugs, wars and poverty, on its people. It gives us the hope and optimism that is much needed in our contemporary world.
This will be a holiday treat for Maine and the country. Put up the holiday lights of all nations, light the fireplace and curl up with this dose of hope.
Barb Radmore, Editor, FRONT STREET REVIEWS

Reviewed by Annette Gisby, UK, author of Silent Screams and Shadows of the Rose.
http://www.annettegisby.n3.net
At thirteen Thomas Johnson, known as T.J. loses his father in Iraq just before Christmas, at fifteen his girlfriend commits suicide and by sixteen he has
gone completely off the rails, taking drugs, hitting his younger brother and having no interest in anything except where
his next fix is coming from. His mother is a social worker and T.J. is jealous of all the time she spends helping other
people and feels she doesn't care about her own family at all. He has everything money can buy but money can't
buy what he really wants, his mother's time and attention. He has no idea how to cope with the mess his life has
become and Christmas is just another horrible day in his horrible life and he refuses to go with his mother and siblings
to his uncle's house to celebrate.

Staying in the house on his own, he is visited by the ghost of his father, but T.J. thinks it's just the drugs he was taking.
Then his is visited by three other spirits, of his past, present and future and nothing will be the same after that night.

A modern retelling of the Dickens' tale, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this one. I have to say I was pleasantly
surprised how much I did enjoy it. I'm normally not that keen on modernized versions of anything and I wasn't sure
how I was going to relate to a drug addict.

Although short, the book packs a punch and Thomas was more of a sympathetic character than I had anticipated.
Considering all the terrible things that happened in his short life, you could almost understand why he turned to drugs
in the first place as a way to cope or to avoid his problems.

Not a word is wasted and you are drawn into the story fairly quickly. The end of the book is a message of hope
and it leaves you with a warm feeling that makes you want to hunt out the Christmas tree and curl up with a mug of
hot chocolate, even if I did read it in October. TJ’s transformation from surly, disenfranchised youth to a more grown
up and responsible young man is deftly handled and although the book ends just at the beginning of that transformation,
you know that all will be well for the Johnsons from now on.

A great read.



"The unique storytelling of the three visitations from the spirits of Christmas past, present and future are nothing short of marvelous writing and wonderful reading."
Marvin Wilson, author of I ROMANCED THE STONE

"I will be completely surprised if we do not see A MAINE CHRISTMAS CAROL as a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, it is the kind of story families will gladly gather together to enjoy for generations to come."
Joyce A. Anthony, author of STORM.

"At last, a classic for our own age."
Brian Doe, author of Barley and Gold and co-author, WAKING GOD

"DEATH AND TERRORISM IN IRAQ, A POTHEAD SCROOGE, AN EXASPERATED WIDOW, SEXUAL MOLESTATION, UNBEARABLE MEMORIES OF VIETNAM, TRANSCENDENT LOVE-A BITING FABLE FOR OUR TIMES."
Djelloul Marbrook, English Editor, Arabesques Literary and Cultural Review


Philip Harris’ A Maine Christmas Carol, a modern retelling of the Dickensian fable of Christmas’ past, present, and future in a middle class New England setting is a holiday treat for readers of all ages. The spirit of the original story is cleverly unraveled in a more up to date but equally grim narration of the experiences of a blighted contemporary Scrooge named Thomas as he “sees” Christmas with his spirit guides.
The classic unfolding of the life of a beleaguered and very ill-spirited young man faced with the consequences of his own self-serving actions is cleverly layered with messages aimed at the socially irresponsible of our own life and times. A Maine Christmas Carol is a powerful parable of the ills of progressive society left to exist unchecked and held unaccountable. Through the eyes of the spirit guides, Thomas sees that while he is not responsible for the happiness of others, his actions do deeply impact all those who come in contact with him. From the local shop owners to his eight-year-old sister, his exploits leave a deep and lasting impression. Even more critical to note is the tsunami-like wave affect his acts, deeds, and lack of achievement has on those he will never meet. What he does not do with his life is just as significant as what he has done so far in his 16 years.
In Harris’ A Maine Christmas Carol, a new family tradition is born. The easy conversational writing style, the logical flow of the story, and the twist to the original story makes this book a new classic that will go on the shelves right next to Dickens’ original morality tale. Harris does a marvelous job of weaving Thomas’ profound experience of redemption with the underlying themes of social justice and poverty. A Maine Christmas Carol is explicit in demonstrating the relationship of the privileged class in our country who has failed to address the social issues facing our society. Philip Harris has clearly and unequivocally produced a rich allegory that redefines the importance of Christmas to a new generation of readers.

SHANNONS EVANS, CHIEF EDITOR
WWW.MYWTITINGMENTOR.COM

ORDER FROM AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/Maine-Christmas-Carol-Philip-Harris/dp/1594314446/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228590533&sr=1-1

AND AS KINDLE EDITION

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# Amazon.com Sales Rank: #81,596 in Kindle Store (See Bestsellers in Kindle Store)

http://www.amazon.com/A-Maine-Christmas-Carol/dp/B000MAH6L4/ref=ed_oe_k

NO SHAME-GREAT BOOKS!

Speaking of books, what a great gift for this Holiday season! They are not very expensive and very rarely end up in clogged landfills. Here is some shameless self-promotion. I hope YOU will consider my books which are all available on Amazon.com. They include:

A MAINE CHRISTMAS CAROL-A wonderful retelling of the classic set in contemporary Maine. Deals with the issues of teen drug use, suicide, Iraq and being responsible for one's actions. Very uplifting and a strong message to families.

POLARIZING YOUR LIFE TOWARD PERFECTION- Don't let current times get you down! You can use the principles of Polarity to dramatically alter your life and create your own reality!

COLLECTED MESSAGES: GUIDES FOR PERSONAL
TRANSFORMATION, BOOKS I, II AND POSSIBLY III. Let leading experts guide you in the Law of Attraction, health and diet, relationships, music and more.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH US ANYWAY? COMMENTARIES ON A TROUBLED WORLD-Review the major issues of the past couple of years in terms of politics, climate change, the environment, education, health, food and many more. These are "blog-shots" of what has been going on in our world.

JESUS TAUGHT IT, TOO: THE EARLY ROOTS OF THE LAW OF ATTRACTION, 2ND EDITION-In the top 2% on Amazon since October 2007, this book will lead you to a greater understanding of the LAW OF ATTRACTION, and it early roots as taught by the Master!

RAPING LOUISIANA: A DIARY OF DECEIT-Think you can rely on the federal government if disaster strikes? Think again.

WAKING GOD-A spiritual treatise in the guise of a very controversial novel. Not for fundamentalists. Being re-released in December with Book II, THE SACRED ROTA scheduled for release after the first. Hold on for a ride to enlightenment and the end of religious dogma.
Also, please check out the other great books being offered by ALL THINGS THAT MATTER PRESS, http://allthingsthatmatterpress.com!

E-Books and Kindle versions of the above books are also available for that last minute gift idea.

HELP ME REACH 1,000,000 TEENAGERS!

HELP ME FIGHT TEEN DRUG ABUSE!

This is not just a book promotion effort. Many books are written just to entertain; others are written to send a message. A MAINE CHRISTMAS CAROL is a holiday message to fight teen drug use. Set in contemporary Hallowell, Maine, this retelling of the Dickens classic focuses on the issues that affect today's teens including drug and alcohol abuse and teen suicide.
The reviews of the book have been great. The message is ideally suited for middle and high school aged teens as well as families with teens. Give our youth a gift that not only encourages reading, but that also contains a lesson that is written in today's language that addresses today's issues.
For more information, please visit the books web site at http://dickens111.tripod.com
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR YOUR HELP. PLEASE SPREAD THIS MESSAGE!