When I say or write, “Happy Holidays” I sincerely extend these abiding wishes – reminders of lyrics of the heart – to everyone. They are the same wishes I extend to all others every day:

May those of you who have strayed from the simplest of positive values – preferring to trifle in hatred of others – find happiness in acceptance of those not like yourself.

May those of you who judge find happiness in welcoming people as they are.

May those of you who dabble in fear find happiness, solace, and confidence in yourself and the world around you.

May those of you who have taught yourselves to see only the worst in others find happiness in accepting that what is wrong with humanity can be fixed by what is right with humanity.

May those of you in pain find happiness in relief and restored health.

May those of you who know only verbal or physical violence find happiness in peace, love, safety, and security.

May those of you who dabble in gossip find happiness in grace, humility, and conscience.

May those of you who seek to be taken seriously as strong, devout believers find happiness in accepting that those who disagree with you may also be strong, devout believers and that among whole adults, all beliefs and believers may peacefully co-exist.

May those of you who live within your own, narrow, self-imposed echo chambers of friends, acquaintances, geography, and information sources find happiness in traveling throughout the world and in learning that the world is a spectacular kaleidoscope of boundless, spiritually rewarding enlightenments.

May those of you who dabble in the fleeting, ever-changing apparitions of speculation, assumptions, and untruths find happiness in the reality that facts are comforting, reliable, and perpetual.

May those of you who worry find happiness in your now.

And, may those of you who doubt, find fault, or seek to divide humanity along imaginary racial lines; artificial socio-economic distinctions; the silliness of political party affiliations; or fabricated religious brand names find happiness in realizing that no respectable god – not even your god – wages war. Those things are human inventions … your inventions.

May 2024 be your best year yet! To do that, you’ll need to lead like you mean it.

From my home to yours, Happy Holidays!