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Greetings of Peace

As we enter this period of great joy, where Jews and Christains celebrate  and honor their faith and join the non-religious as we all celebrate great sharing of gifts and joy, please accept my blessings of peace, thanks and appreciation.

Over the past year, I have grown closer to some friends, grown apart from others, and have met many new and wonderful you's through the power of social media. I am honored by your friendship; I am blessed by your readership; and I am priviledged to share a tiny piece of my heart with each of you.

To all, I thank you and wish you a great 2008!

Respectfully in peace through justice, from my home to yours,

Lewis Green, Chief Communications Officer, L&G Business Solutions

Always Lead (and Live) With Your Heart

How Have You Been Blessed?

Thanksgiving is nearly upon us and if you are like most, you likely feel like this turkey. So much to do, so little time to do it, so running is your only choice.

But before the holiday passes, please take a moment to share an experience, a gift, a blessing, a thank you for someone or something that is in your life or that has happened in your life. I'll begin:

Thirty-five years ago, I was ending my tour of duty in the Air Force at a base in Florida. For two years, I  had been attending the local community college and had been accepted into the Journalism program at the University of Florida. My first quarter was to begin one month following my discharge. I loved being a Gator. It was where the most important person in my life entered my life. My wife Kay and I met in our coed dorm and celebrated 33 years of marriage this past August. She is my everything.

Please share and Happy Thanksgiving--Lewis

Celebrating Easter

In watching today's Sunday morning news shows, I realized that something significant has happened. I don't know when this change took place but I am shakened by it.

Not so long ago, Meet the Press and other such shows, used Easter Sunday as a day of reflection by inviting religious leaders and scholars to discuss the meaning of Easter. Today's shows are politics all the time. Why? In a country where more than 90% of its citizens say they believe in a higher authority, shouldn't we take an hour out of politics to discuss the significance and meaning of Easter? After all, unless we are 10 years old, Easter means something deep and eternal, and is less about the Easter bunny than many would have us believe.

So, while my audience is incredibly smaller than NBC's, let me share in brief the meaning of Easter to Christians and the significance of Passover to my Jewish friends.

Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. We believe that Jesus  was  raised from the dead three days after his death on the cross. Through his death, burial and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for original sin and gave the gift of eternal life to who believe in him.

Passover, or Pesach, is best described by scripture: The primary observances of Pesach are related to the Exodus from Egypt after generations of slavery. This story is told in Exodus, Ch. 1-15.  Many of the Pesach observances are instituted in Chs. 12-15.

And this day shall become a memorial for you, and you shall observe it as a festival for the L-RD, for your generations, as an eternal decree shall you observe it. For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, but on the first day you shall remove the leaven from your homes ... you shall guard the unleavened bread, because on this very day I will take you out of the land of Egypt; you shall observe this day for your generations as an eternal decree. - Exodus 12:14-17

A Man for all Times

You may not have the day off, your town may not have a parade, but don't let that get in the way of remembering an American Hero, an icon whose dream is yet to be realized. Honor the man, remember the cause, and respect everyone you come in contact with today and everyday, no matter the color of their skin.

Celebrate Your Faith

I am not PC. In fact, I believe political correctness has driven a wedge between us, destroyed our sense of humor and been more about "I" than "us". And political correctness has nothing to do with this post, which is about respect and dignity for the holidays, not trying to ruin their religious roots.

I often say Happy Holidays, but only to those I don't know. As a Christian, December is about Merry Christmas and Jesus' birth for me. That doesn't mean that I don't recognize other's faiths and celebrations. So, here to assist us in learning something about others, is the briefest of notes surrounding December holidays.

Kwanzaa Yenu Iwe Na Heri! is a festive, non-religious celebration, founded in 1966 by
Dr. Maulana Karenga, during which African Americans celebrate
and reflect upon their rich heritage. It begins December 26 and lasts for seven days. Each day focuses on one of seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and  responsibility, cooperative  economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

Hanukkah is the annual Jewish festival celebrated on eight successive days beginning on the 25th day of Kislev, the third month of the Jewish calendar, corresponding, approximately, to December in the Gregorian calendar. It is also known as the Festival of Lights, Feast of Dedication, and Feast of the Maccabees, Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem by Judas Maccabee in 165 BC after the Temple had been profaned by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, king of Syria and overlord of Palestine.

Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday that marks the traditional birthdate of Jesus of  Nazareth. Christmas combines the celebration of Jesus' birth with various other traditions and  customs, many of which were influenced by ancient winter festivals such as Yule[1] and Saturnalia. Christmas traditions include the display of Nativity scenes and Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Popular Christmas themes include the promotion of goodwill, giving, compassion, and quality family time.

Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas,

Lewis

PS: If I missed a December holiday or celebration, let me know so I can add it.

Eat, Drink and Be Happy

Have a great and glorious Thanksgiving Holiday!