Lia Suzuki Sensei

The holiday season is quite a ride for nearly every one of us.  Some folks soar high with festive joy and open hearts delighted by the 'spirit of the season' and the busyness of holiday activities.  Some people feel an emptiness that comes from years of disappointed expectations.  These folks tend to quietly sit back patiently waiting for the season to pass.  And then we have our homeless families who struggle from day to day to get their basic needs met -- food and shelter.  I worked for a couple of years as a community social worker so I do have direct experience with how devastating lost and lonely our poverty level families and singles feel amidst all the pervasive holiday excitement.  I personally find the holiday season to be a bit challenging.  I will spare you the details of my past and simply say that each year I need to stay extremely mindful of the emotional roller coaster ride that I experience during the holidays.  This season is rich with heartwarming stories and provides a venue for consciously sharing Love and Good Will with our families and friends.  At the same time I am very sensitive to those folks so are struggling to simply keep some hope for a better tomorrow.

We are One people!  We ALL have an effect on each other.  I ask those of you who enthusiastically embrace the Sacredness and Joyousness of the Holiday Season to shine ever more brightly lighting the way for those who feel a bit lost.  And I encourage those who feel distant from the spirit of the Holidays to use your energies to help assist local social service agencies to ease the challenges facing our homeless in the long cold nights and days of winter.  And, for you who are in need reach out for help, resources are available.  You are not alone!

For the past 18 years our dojo has contributed to the Viola Blithe Community Center's Holiday Food and New Toy Drive.  As I am writing this, I am waiting for one of their drivers to pick up our donations.  Our dojo members donated 170 lbs of food, 60 new toys and $150 / cash!  Thank you to the students and instructors for your generosity!

http://www.violablythe.org/

When we share our Love ... the whole world receives a Blessing

Posted by Skys Sensei.