I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Despite my desire to have snow this winter, I live in a part of the world where that weather phenomena does not happen very often. In fact, as I check the weather data, we have had a white Christmas in Olympia, Washington, exactly seven times while I have been on this planet. Seven times in sixty-four years! Those are not exactly figures that will instill confidence in a man who is dreaming once again of a mantel of white.

Since I do not consider myself to be a fool, and since I am far too busy to waste my time on foolish dreams, I have altered my dream so that it is figurative in nature rather than literal.

Throughout history white has been a symbol of purity and peace, so this year I am indeed dreaming of a white Christmas, a time when we will all reflect on our common denominators and hopefully find common ground as we approach 2013.

Imagine!

“Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger a brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing for the world

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one”

Can you imagine? A brotherhood of man! Is that possible?

I truly do not know. When I was younger, during the 60’s, I believed that world peace was doable. I believed in the goodness of man, and I believed, somewhat foolishly, that everyone else wanted world peace. Reality, oftentimes, is a bitter pill to swallow.

I have since put away my childhood toys, and I have come to realize that greed is flowing through the veins of this world. Like a cancer eating healthy cells, greed runs rampant through the streets of our planet, viewed with indifference by the bystanders who live on Complacency and Apathy Streets.

And yet, I have hope! I was raised with hope, and I was raised to work for the common good. I am going to cling to that hope, and I’m going to keep doing my part to make things better, one person at a time.

Yes, I have hope!

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
Mother Teresa

Well there you have it! We are all in this together! What are our common goals as human beings? What are our common needs? Food and shelter for sure. We all need nourishment, and we all need to be protected from the elements. However, I would add one more item to the basic needs list, and that would be love.

We are all pack animals, and we all need companionship and love. Some may never realize it or attain it, but I believe it to be one of the necessities for survival. Look at our commonalities. We all laugh and cry; we all work and play, and we all seek life, liberty and happiness.

Nothing else matters! Political leanings and religious viewpoints are fluff compared to our most basic of needs. Can we not concentrate on that which is important, and spend less time concerning ourselves with the colors of our flag or the depth of our pocketbooks?

Put ten people of different nationalities in a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean and you will find out just how similar we all are, and how terribly unimportant nationality is.

Yes, I have hope!

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

What is the underlying cause of most wars? If you said greed you win a kewpie doll! What are the underlying causes of most racism? If you said fear and ignorance you now win a lifetime supply of those kewpie dolls.

This writer belongs to a writing community called HubPages. I have writer friends from every state in the United States as well as over one-hundred other nations. We have never been involved in a war against each other. We come from all corners of the world, and we represent different political viewpoints and religions. We are of every color imaginable and we come in all shapes and sizes, and yet not once has one writer declared war on another, and I have never seen a racist comment in the year that I have been a member of HubPages.

Close to a quarter-of-a-million writers, all with a common purpose, and all supporting each other.

Yes, I have hope!

“It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it.”
Eleanor Roosevelt

Darn it, you mean I have to work at this? But wait! I do work at it! I have led a peaceful life. I have never started a war, and I am not racist. I raised a son on my own, and he understands the importance of brotherhood, and he lives that understanding. I love my family, and respect my neighbors. How much more do I have to do?

Well, the answer to that is I have to do whatever is possible. It is my responsibility as a human being to be a walking, talking, breathing symbol of peace. I do not have the luxury of passing the buck to the next guy, and I sure don’t have the luxury of washing my hands of the whole mess and entrenching myself in my own personal fortress.

Being a member of the human race carries with it a civic and moral responsibility. Where I see injustice I must speak out. Where I see racism I must speak out. Where I see oppression and hate, I must speak out!

I was taught this by my family, and by incredible men and women who came before me, legends and giants of civilization who believed in goodness and brotherly love. The legacy has been handed down, to me, and to all of you, and it is a legacy I take very seriously.

Yes, I have hope!

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.”
Dalai Lama

From this day forward, nothing that I have done matters. I may have done good works in the past, but they are now part of history. I may have loved in the past, but love must be renewed daily to survive. I may have shown compassion in the past, but the soils of compassion must be constantly tended to, nurtured, and enriched, in order that they spread their seeds worldwide.

What have you done lately? It no longer matters? Today is the day we must concentrate upon, and then tomorrow, tomorrow!

We do this for ourselves. We do this for our fellow man and woman. We cannot shirk from this responsibility because quite frankly, future generations depend upon us. Right here, right now, we must be instruments of peace and compassion. Right here, right now, we must model the attributes we want to see worldwide. Right here, right now, we make our stand and declare to the world that a new order has been established, a new order of empathy, humility, and always love.

Yes, I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. It is not like the ones I used to know, because in truth there has always been war, and racism, and hate. No, this is a new dream, and it is a dream I believe in, and it is a dream I dedicate my life to.

Yes, I have hope! Are you dreaming of a white Christmas?

2012 William D. Holland (aka billybuc)