Dec 04

As
Shaya chugged into second base, the opposing shortstop
ran towards him, turned him towards third base and shouted,
"Run, Shaya, run to third!"

Of
course, by now the three runners who had been on base
had scored. The game was tied, Shaya represented the
winning run, and his teammates were screaming with excitement.

As
Shaya rounded third base, every boy from his team...
and several from the opposing team on the field... were
all running behind him, cheering him home.

And
as he put his foot on home plate, both teams gathered
around him, lifted him on their shoulders and cheered
him as the hero of the game. He had just hit a home
run and won the game. These boys gave Shaya the thrill
of his life. Of course, they gave him something even
more precious--their acceptance.

Obviously,
these boys had either been taught, or perhaps had discovered
on their own, the greatest secret of human happiness.
And that is....

We
Experience Our Moments Of Purest Joy At Precisely Those
Moments When We Are Causing It In Others.

It
is a truism of life--whatever we give out comes back
to us, multiplied. Which brings me back to the beginning
of this message....

In
the hurly burly of the holiday crush, if you want to
experience some genuine joy, all you need do is take
a few moments to spread some joy around yourself.

Maybe
it's time to call an old friend who needs calling. Or
to forgive what needs forgiving. To let a family member
hear some healing words. Perhaps write that note that
needs writing. Smile an accepting smile at the next
disabled person you encounter. Or maybe to just relax
in the moment with someone older who'd love your undivided
attention for a few minutes, as all living things thrive
on attention.