Christmas: Should Love, Joy and Peace Be Openly Expressed to Others During the Holiday Season?

What is the best gift you can give to others?  An open expression of love, joy and peace is probably the best gift that you can convey to others during the holiday season. The birth of the Christ child brings that message to us. Passing it on to others reveals its reality to them.

Note this prophecy from the Old Testament. 

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

True believers welcome open expressions of love, joy and peace. Even pseudo-believers or those who claim to be Christian, but do not really believe in the basic teachings of Christianity, will respond to love, joy and peace in a positive way. Unbelievers, members of other faiths, religions or cultures will see the love, joy and peace that you express during the holiday season and realize that there is something real about the Christmas message. You may have an opportunity to share the Christmas message with them.

How can you express love, joy and peace to others appropriately, during the holiday season?

Regardless of who you are or where you live, there are others around you who probably do not know or understand the basic teachings of Christianity, the circumstances of the birth of Jesus or the implications and significance of his life, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension as revealed in the New Testament.

Greeting people warmly and welcoming them into your home during Christmas and New Years, is one way to have an opportunity to talk to them in an environment where they can feel safe and comfortable. When you extend an open door to them, they will sense that there is something special happening in your heart, at your hearth and in your home. They may have questions about the meaning of Christmas, but perhaps they are afraid to ask anyone. Take the time to answer these questions for them.

Love, joy and peace can convey healing, health and wholeness to others. Happiness expressed in a sense of family and community, as well as in the global expression of love, joy and peace is contagious. In other words, it spreads.

While there are others in different parts of the community and country, as well as around the world, who are suffering for various reasons including war and natural disasters, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, etc. and stand in need because of homelessness, poverty and famine, your outward expression of love, joy and peace, can help them to restore their lives. Even though you may not be able to help everyone in the world, you can pray for people everywhere. You may also be able to help one person, a couple or a family in your area. When you address the needs of children, their parents will often respond with love, joy and peace, too. 

Focusing on and openly addressing the positive, rather than the negative aspects of Christmas, will touch and change the lives of others, as well as increase your own love, joy and peace during the holiday season.     

Old Versus New: The Art of Letter Writing

Is the art of letter writing dying? Perhaps it might be more accurate to suggest that the old method of transmitting letters is in a state of transition. It becomes a question of the old versus new, when it comes to the art of letter writing, but at the same time, love letter writing will never end.

It is interesting to note that letter writing has gone through a multiplicity of transitions over the course of history, all the way from writing letters on walls, papyrus, slates and paper to the transmission of Internet messages, in our era.

In many ways, letter writing has always been an art form with specific rules of etiquette, for each era.

For example, the article, “Etiquette: The Victorian Art of Letter Writing," reveals some of the secrets of proper letter writing during that era.

With the introduction of ever advancing, electronic technology and with an eye to our future, it would appear that the art of letter writing is expanding and being refined further rather than disappearing, as some might suggest.

New rules of etiquette will continue to appear in the future. These new rules will be appropriate for the letter format of each era.

Computer e-mail opened the door to electronic letter writing and even longer letters like newsletters. Now informative newsletters are taking on the format of personal blogs, but then, newsletters are not new and different, just computer generated now..

With the recent introduction of smart phones and text messaging, the art of letter writing is once again in a state of transition. These letters are shorter, more succinct and to the point.

Love letters will never cease to be a part of our literary history, as love will never die. The communication of love from one person to another is something that is timeless, even though its expression may vary. Love letters take on many different formats, for example, recently changing from cards to e-mail cards with messages or short letters sent as part of the e-mail cards.

Note that different kinds of script used in letters of the past, were, still are and will always be an important part of the art of letter writing process. It is not only the written words, but also the style and the format of the script in the letter that makes letter writing an art. This has aesthetic appeal to the eye of the beholder and each script makes a statement of some kind.

Old letters were handwritten or more recently typed on paper. With the advent of printers, the same kinds of letters can now go through a printer or a fax machine. It only takes a few moments to send or fax them to someone. Printing a letter can be in any format.

Delivery of letters by courier or mail-man/mail-lady is still the fashion of the day, but snail mail is transitioning to e-mail or text messaging, which is almost instantaneous in terms of its time delivery factor.

The words people convey in their letters may change from those of merely factual letters conveying information of various kinds to more formal words, like those included in business letters for various projects, including fund raising.

A familial letter might be a letter of condolences. Letters often convey family information or in a broader sense as part of a larger family, newsletters to communities. These may become online newsletters, as well.

Throughout history, people have desired to communicate with one another via letters of some kind. This is not likely to change. There will always be letter writing although its art form may change repeatedly throughout generations to come. Its mode of transmission will possibly change also.

Enjoy the letters you send and receive because letter writing is an art, unique to human beings. It may change, but it will never die.

Tips For Writing an Old Fashioned Love Letter

Old-fashioned love letters are as old as the history of humankind.

Do you know how to write an old-fashioned love letter? Writing an old-fashioned love letter is somewhat of an art, but one that is in transition or appears to be fading historically, partly because of the electronic era and changing modes of communication.

Note that electronic communication still has the potential to re-kindle the art of writing old-fashioned love letters by conveying short, sweet messages in many different ways.

Knowing how to write an old-fashioned love letter to someone is important. Thus, these tips for writing old-fashioned love letters are still relevant today.

Consider the following tips.

Use a poetic quote:

Consider writing an old-fashioned love letter by including a poetic quote from a famous writer or poet of the past. Note that the poetic voice always speaks from the heart, softly, tenderly and sweetly. At times, the words bring forth a heart-rending sadness that touches one’s emotions. 

For example, note these words from Shakespeare’s “As You Like it”, Act 2, Scene 4.

“In thy youth wast as true a lover, As ever sighed upon a midnight pillow”

Use old language:

Many of the words from old-fashioned love letters use language that appears to be becoming obsolete, changing or disappearing in time, but the power these words had in their era has not changed. Online research into old language will reveal their significance and meaning. Most important in an old-fashioned love letter is letting the one to whom the letter is addressed, know that he or she is loved.

Word play with old words is fun! For example, the word “loved" in Old English is “felaleof”.  Be careful with the use of old words though and if necessary, include a translation of the old language.   

Find the meaning of love related words or expressions, in different languages:

Note that the words “I love you” are universal and that expression is included in different languages.

For example, the words “Ik heb di leev” in Frisian and “Je t’aime” or "Je t’adore” in French, convey the same message, “I love you.” Note that in writing love letters, you need to be careful, as there are numerous different dialects. 

Always try to write your old-fashioned love letter in a language of the person to whom you are addressing it or one that he or she understands. Research phrases like this, in order to determine their date of origin and proper usage. Make certain that the words that you use convey a loving message in an accurate and proper manner.     

Use appropriate script to write your old-fashioned love letter:   

Most old-fashioned love letters were hand written with pen and ink in an artistic, now almost obsolete, kinds of script. This gave the letter the appearance of romance, as well as some degree of authenticity. For example, simplythebest.net offers a collection of old scripts like 17th century, English Gothic script.  

Develop your own poetic voice:

Your poetic voice portrays you. If you choose to speak through another poetic voice, be aware that love ripples, causing more love to blossom. Such is the nature of love.

For example,Shakespeare’s quote, from “As You Like It”, Act 3, Scene 4, speaks of romantic love and its effect on the inter-relationship between lovers.  

“The sight of lovers feedeth those in love,”

Note that while anyone who wants to write an old-fashioned love letter can quote other poets or writers, exploring and developing one’s own poetic voice can prove to be fun, as well as an exciting and revealing challenge.

Can you write an old-fashioned love letter? Yes, you can. 

Use your computer to research the basic format of old-fashioned love letters further and put it into an appropriate script. Send it to the one you love via e-mail or print it. Enjoy playing with old-fashioned love letters.

Valentine's Day and Understanding the Ripple Effect of Love: Requited Versus Unrequited Love

What is it about Valentine’s Day that causes its popularity to grow and swell, with its ripple effect creating a celebration that surges like the tide, around the globe?

Perhaps looking at the ripple effect of love will help to explain this unique, human phenomenon.

One might ask if there can ever be too much love in the world. To that question, one must answer in the negative. The world has the capacity to give and to receive ongoing expressions of love, in many different contexts. The romantic love of Valentine’s Day has its own special appeal to potential lovers, all around the globe.    

Love is an emotional phenomenon that creates ripples, like those of water tumbling from the rocks. A waterfall creates a ripple effect that leads to the creation of even more ripples. The ripple effect is boundless, as the wavelike movements continue to undulate.

By its very nature, it is not possible to contain love. 

Love bursts forth from whatever heart would attempt to contain it. Its ripple effect continues to spread. There are those who try to contain it, instead of allowing love’s ripple effect to be experienced fully.

The word undulation as defined in the free dictionary.com, suggests “a regular rising and falling or movement to alternating sides, movement in waves, a wavelike form, outline, or appearance and one of a series of waves or wavelike segments.”

Scientific explanations of undulation suggest “a sine curve, sinusoid, the curve of y=sin x”. Can one apply a sine curve to the emotions? Perhaps one might try.

The romantic love phenomenon of Valentine’s Day triggers the innate desire to give traditional gifts of cards, chocolates and flowers. It may lead to the giving of expensive tokens intended to express undying love. The Cupid phenomenon playfully alerts one to romantic involvement and the possibility of a potential future relationship. 

The words “I love you” seem contagious.   

The ones to whom the ripple effects of romantic love are directed, do not necessarily accept or welcome the passionate emotions that are aroused. Thus, at times, Cupid’s attempts to awaken romantic love with his penetrating arrow can prove futile. The targeted receiver may scorn, ignore or reject the feelings aroused by his arrow.

The emotions experienced may be negative or appear to be feelings of repulsion. These kinds of negative emotional responses tend to devastate the giver, as they stifle or quench the flame of love that otherwise leads to the positive, ripple effect of love that radiates around the globe.

Celebrations for Valentine’s Day will continue to grow, regardless of the emotional response of requited or unrequited love, as it would appear that the ripple effect of romantic love undulates on forever, unless stifled.

Love is eternal and thus, the love created on Valentine’s Day will grow forever, because of its ripple effect.  

A Healthy Life: Captured Forever

With one eye on God, spiritually content,
An active lifestyle of cleanliness and godliness;
Taking good care of one’s own personhood,
As well as being there for many others;   
Alert to the excitement of the rapidly changing world,
With an optimistic, astute outlook and attitude towards the future;
Motivated in a positive, constructive direction,
Ready and willing to be proactive;
Always a twinkle in the bright, aging eyes,
Going gray, maybe becoming bald, too.
Wrinkled and weather-worn,
Yet, happy, cheerful and fun loving,
Playful and delightfully, mischievous, at times;
Great to be with, ever wanting to share a good time,
Yet concerned about family and friends,
As well as children of all ages.
Loving and kind to all,
Wise and wonderful,
Philanthropic, compassionate and caring,
Willing to give and share,
Inherently good, not evil;
Standing tall among the crowd,
A natural born leader of men and women;
Intrigued by nature’s fathomless beauty and mystery,
Loving and enjoying life to its fullest,
Finding time for whatever, whenever;
Open to new ideas and suggestions,
Intellectually sound, truth-oriented.
Academically inclined,
A mentor, perpetual teacher,
Financially secure,
Independent by nature;
Willingly and able to
Participate in the joy life has to offer;
Physically fit and surprisingly active,
Emotionally stable, mentally with it,
In tune with life’s realities,
Eating well, sleeping like a log,
Free from the vices of abuse.
Always seeking new challenges
While accepting change graciously,
An engaging attitude towards aging,
Living in a state of continual health and wellness,
Determined to stay forever young at heart,
Sound of mind, body and soul,
A healthy life and lifestyle,
Surreptitiously, captured forever,
In the portrait of a retiree.

Poetry Analysis: "Truth", by Geoffrey Chaucer

The truth always has an element of mystery.

The words of Geoffrey Chaucer, in the poem “Truth” or “Balade de Bon Conseyl”, are dated prior to 1400 and convey a message that is timeless. Although written in an ancient, linguistic structure that is somewhat mysterious in nature, when understood, the words convey an appropriate message for the current era.

The genre of this poetry is “a ‘balade’, a French lyric genre usually composed about a poet’s beloved, either praising her beauty or complaining about her aloofness.”

With respect to the form of the poem, there are “stanzas of seven four-stress lines rhyming ababbcc, often ending with an ‘Envoy’, or extra stanza which sends the poem as a more specialized message to some friend, lover or court acquaintance.”

The original words of Chaucer, though difficult to read at times, reveal the heart of his poetry.

“And trouthe shal delyvere, it is no drede.”

These words are repeated a second time, in the “L’envoy”, which constitutes the last and final message of this poem.

“And trouthe schal delyvere, it is no drede.”

In this poetry, Chaucer pleads for those who hear his words to leave the wretchedness of the world and turn to God for mercy and deliverance. In doing so, they will discover truth that will lead to freedom and an ultimate resolution of their fears. Note that this is also an earlier message from John 8:32, somehow conveyed to Chaucer, who understands its significance.

Throughout the ages, truth always seems to have an element of aloofness for humankind. Truth is revealed, but not to everyone. It is something priceless desired by man, in every era. With respect to attaining truth, its degree of beauty entices humankind even further. The struggle for humankind to obtain more truth has never been easy in any era; it probably never will be. The personification of the truth often adds to its mystery and elusiveness. In many ways, seeking truth is like a struggle to find love. Only true love can resolve fear.  

Perhaps this poetry reflects Chaucer’s personal struggle, which he put into words, read or sung.

Miraculously preserved over the centuries that follow, the words of wisdom found in this poetry are applicable for anyone, in any age. To one who truly listens there is a voice echoing and re-echoing with a cry for humankind to know the truth and find freedom, even though in reality, truth is often not recognized or may be suppressed.

Love is the key.           

The Man Who Could Not Speak

The mysterious man who could not speak

Stood silently and gazed upwards.

"I am dumb, God,"

He admitted.

"I don't understand.

Why do you not allow me to speak like others?

Have you kept me silent, all these years,

So that you could speak through me?"

Huge tears rolled down his cheeks.

Thunder resounded and lightning lit up the sky.

"I can hear your thunder resounding

And I see your lightning flashing."

His thoughts seemed overwhelming.

"Wise is the man who remains silent

And lets God speak through him."

He waited.

"But I cannot speak, God.

I am dumb.

Speak to others through me

With power and might."

He waited again.

"God are you dumb, too?

Can you not speak to me in my agony?"