Christmas time... a time to be together with the people you love. To share great food, be in good company, and express feelings of peace on Earth and goodwill to all men (and women and children too!) and all creatures great and small. It is also a good time to reflect upon the past years' events, both good and bad, big and small. Also a time for charity, help our many a brother or sister that so could use our help in their time(s) of need in ways we can comfortably do so without putting our own selves in the same situation. Before you think this being a sappy, preachy journal, I want each and every one of you to just regard this not as a rant, nor a tirade.. rather, a reflection this years past.

We lost some good souls this year, some famous.. and some more close to home. We even lost people we don't know directly, but still they are part of this great family we have here in this world. All shining stars in the eyes of The Creator, our collective Brothers and Sisters, nonetheless. No one insignificant or degrees of glory. All equal in The Creators' sight. Yet, there are those that wish to disrespect those that have gone, who cannot defend themselves. People who have total disregard for solace and that inner peace the peoples' loved ones left behind all and us as a civilization so desire, only to stir the pot of contention for their very own cause. Why these people do this, I know not what goes on in their heads; perhaps it is the work of the Evil One at hand yet again, under the guise of The Chosen One. Ay, we all can lash out back in kind, but seriously, would that accomplish anything? To this I say nay, fighting the fires of contempt and hatred with fire only makes the fires burn hotter. I say-- be the shining beacon in this dark and uncertain world. Be the water that flows like true love from the heart. Only then can we achieve true peace.

We also saw some changes in our leadership, during this election year. We may have not got the people we wanted in office, and what matters is that we exercised our right to vote and to speak out on how we feel. Let me remind you, even though our candidate(s) may have not won, we still have our victories, knowing that we spoke out. Without fear of oppression or reprisal. And realize we still shine most when we express love in bountiful ways. No one should be poor, nor does anyone deserve to be rich. All truly belongs to the Creator, not us. None of us should have to suffer because of certain classes of people think they are above one another.

With all this being said, it is my hope and prayer that 2013 is a better year for all of us. We learn to work together, for the betterment of all of us, for all creatures and the world. Thank you all for the love you have given me this year. Allow me to give back that love in return.

Happy Holidays and Here is to a very Happy New Year!