What I find amazing about this time of the year is how we get caught up in the commercialization of the holiday season. During these hard times I began to realize how this is the best time to get back to the basics of what this season really is about. Instead of buying gifts why don't you just bake something like cookies or cakes and pies. If you are not a baker you can do something nice like cut the grass or just spend the day with a relative especially someone who is older and can't get around as much. This year even though things may look bad doesn't mean it has to be bad. Count your blessings that you are with people who love and care about you. I have had quite the adventure these past few weeks with the economy so bad here in Asia I have lost thousands of dollars but I realized that even though I might have lost a lot of money, I have gained so much more... like a friend or two. In Korea (where I am at) today is my birthday and a friend called and wish me a happy birthday. He went on to explain to me that he didn't know how to celebrate a birthday because he never had one of his own. I explained to him that the fact that he has chosen to spend the day with me was the best gift in the world. I have learned a lot from being on the other side of the world but the most important thing that I have learned is that the best gift anyone could ever give me is the gift of time. This holiday season take some time and look outside yourself and do something special for someone else. Have a Happy, Safe and Blessed Holiday Season