Holiday Inspiration

Some of the greatest gifts we can bestow can’t be wrapped up in pretty paper and placed under a tree. Regardless of your religion, the most important thing we can give others is inspiration. Sometimes, that comes from something as simple as sharing your experiences with others.

One of my favorite Holiday experiences is the Christmas Tree Lighting in the plaza park here in Old Towne Orange. It happens each year on the first Sunday of December and kind of kicks the season into high gear for me. Thousands come from surrounding communities to hear Christmas carols and look into all the shops and galleries.

Whether at the Tree Lighting or at a subsequent outing, I like to hear stories of what people are doing for the holidays: the lessons they have learned through the year; the plans they have for the holidays. This is the gift that all my friends and clients give me each year without knowing. It is the gift I treasure most.

Some of our friends have reported they are spending Christmas in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Listening to the Desert Corral singing Christmas music and then walking out into an historical Spanish Colonial town draped with fresh snow is hard to beat. So is skiing at Snow Summit on Christmas morning and then walking on the beach at the end of the day.

Regardless of where you spend the Holidays this year, be grateful for the gift of friendship and the power to bring joy to the lives of others.

Stop in when you can.

Jim Hathcock