Day 353 – Christmas Day

I think you know when you have developed a habit that is so ingrained that you just cannot not do it even if you wanted to. So here I am running on a trail on Christmas Day. Kids are busy playing, wife is doing nothing (which is exactly what she should be doing). I should be doing nothing too, however, when I gave myself a choice between nothing and taking a relaxing winters day run, well I picked the run.

As I put one step in front of another, I contemplated the reason that all the stores are closed today. I see more families walking together then normal. I see fewer cars on the road and see some boys playing with some new toys in the park with their fathers.

We are celebrating the life of Jesus Christ today and if you take a step back and think about that you have to recognize what a unique person he must have been to have had such an influence on our society.

Whether you view him as God, the Son of God, an inspired prophet, the leader of a religious movement, or just a great person of influence you have to recognize the impact.

I am contemplating just what was it about his life that was so inspirational. Was it the humble beginnings, the powerful teachings of love and forgiveness, the practical yet powerfully deep religious doctrine? Perhaps it was all of it together.

As I try to improve myself, I cannot help but to look toward the greatest teacher of all time for advice. Reflecting today on my progress, I am thinking about what is holding me back. The thought occured to me that Jesus taught to love others, to care for those that need to be cared for. To put aside the material things of the world and be a light to others in a time of darkness.

Perhaps in quest to be great, I should do what Jesus taught, and that is to first seek to put others first, to make others great. Perhaps as I am on that path, I will truly learn what it means to Love God and Love my Neighbor.

As I seek to help others, perhaps I will find myself. This seems to be the hard part of The 365 Commitment and something I adopted early on. When you are done with your list each morning, ask God in prayer if there is anyone that you could help today. If the answer is yes, then write that person down and put a 1 next to their name.

Guy Reams (353)

365 Member

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