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Holiday
Newsletter
- December 2001
In this issue:
This Year Will Be Different
Karen Dietz, Patti Christensen, Joan Wilson
Since 9/11 our whole world is different: loved ones were lost, buildings crumbled, businesses folded, news became
filled with stories of war and many people retreated in isolation. Truly darkness descended. Yet at the same time,
others reached out -- hearts and homes opened up as people cared for one another, supported one another, and
shared their time, talents, money and gifts. Surely light was spread.
So with these twin energies, we greet this holiday season - a season like few others before it. It is easy these days to
just be numb and carry on as before, as if in slumber. We invite you, however, to join with us in experiencing the
season in perhaps new and deeper ways. In November, as we three Storytellers sipped our tea and devoured
Joan's homemade applesauce one evening, we began to ask ourselves what we as Storytellers needed to do this
Holiday season - a Holiday season so different than before.
We laughed at our stories about Holidays past, wrapped ourselves in warm memories of family gatherings, and cried
at stories of people's current fears and difficulties. We asked ourselves, "What really is the true Spirit of the Holidays
for each of us this year? Is it family, love, compassion, peace, devotion, laughter - or something else?"
In the following weeks we thought deeply, read much, talked with others and then came together again to share
what we'd discovered. We share with you our discoveries, stories, thoughts and suggestions.
This Holiday message is for you. We send this to you in hopes that the Spirit of the Holidays, however it shows up
for you, feeds your soul and nourishes your life. We've included five short stories here about different qualities of
Holiday Spirit. We also have Holiday Spirit activities, and links to volunteering
sites.
With these stories, take the time to savor the Spirit of the Holidays, pass them along, and may the season bring you
many blessings.
"Storytelling is where we share what we've discovered; all of us have discovered a little secret about life."
-- Michael Cotter
Karen, Patti and Joan
This Issue's
Holiday Spirit Stories:
The Beggar's Curse - from Joan Wilson
A story about the difference between Gifts and presents.
Adapted from an Irish story -- Author Unknown
Song - Simple Gifts
adapted by Joan Wilson
A Stolen Holiday
An Original Story by Patti Christensen
Miracles - from Karen
Dietz
A True Story - submitted by Pastor Rob Rid, New York, NY
The
Envelope - a story of remembrance The
Secret - a story about Santa's magic
Links
for Volunteering:
It’s the
holiday season and you’re just not feeling that wonderful Holiday Spirit like
you want to. You may be stressing about all the items on your list that you’ve
still got to get done, or find yourself just depressed about the Holidays, or
blue because you’re remembering Holidays past filled with loved ones who may
not be around this year.
Volunteering
is a wonderful way to put Spirit back into Holidays and help others. Think about
bringing the entire family or some of your co-workers along. Let the
organization know you have a group of people to help and they’ll organize a
task for you.
www.volunteerconnections.org
and click on your state to find local organizations
www.pointsoflight.org
www.volunteermatch.org
www.networkforgood.org
Activities - Stories,
Holiday Spirit, Giving
Gifts.
This Issue's
Storytellers:
Karen Dietz, Ph.D., San Diego, CA
Polaris Associates, LLC
Building Leaders. Building Companies. Telling Stories.
kdietz@polaris-associates.com
Patti Christensen, Oceanside, CA
Stories for All Ages
tellstories@hotmail.com
Joan Wilson, San Diego, CA
Stories that Teach, Entertain and Heal
storiesbyjoanwilson@hotmail.com
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