Painting by Belynda Wilson Thomas
Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. Vince Lombardi
Being part of a group can widen our horizons, we meet people we would meet no other way, and we feel connected to others. On Saturday I was part of a Christmas market hosted by The Mississauga Arts Council. It was a fun event, meeting other creators, talking to the people stopping at our table, selling a few books, and giving out candy canes to the kids.
It is very inspiring but also humbling when meeting people who have accomplished so much in their lives. Sometimes it makes us wonder about the choices we’ve made, the path we’ve chosen, and our contribution to society. Comparisons are odious and one of the things we have to do in life is to be comfortable with ourselves, come to terms with the choices we’ve made, and go forward and build our life inspired to be more than we are.
I shared a table with two very accomplished people from the Mississauga Writers Group. Deep Ganguly is a world-renowned traditional Bamboo Flautist, and in his own words, “As a musician, I am happy I write a bit.” Jeanette Chau is a professional engineer, an author of My Mom is an Engineer books, a Dragon boat racer, a member of the 7th Toronto Regiment RCA, and a former president of the Mississauga Arts Council. It was fun to spend the day with such wonderful, warm, encouraging, and entertaining people.
There was an array of goods for sale, handcrafted items of all kinds, wooden pens, jewelry, soaps, knitting, art, books, floral arrangements, I’m sure I’ve missed some, and a tarot card reader. Choirs entertained us and it would be easy to spend more than we made on the beautiful items for sale.
If we don’t continue to widen our circle it can become smaller and smaller. There are all kinds of groups we can join and each group may feed our soul in a different way. Being part of a group might not be for everyone but they enrich my life in ways I can’t see how could be enriched any other way.
We build our communities by participating, and we each have something to contribute. One of the best things we can do with our lives is to use our gifts to make a difference. We need everyone’s gifts to build a great society, and every contribution is important.
Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment. Tony Robbins
Events don’t just happen it is hard work that makes them happen. Everywhere we go where we see wonderful Christmas displays, wonderful music programs, and charity events there is a lot of work behind the scenes. Christmas is magical because of all the hard work put into it to make it magical.
Christmas is the most fun when our children are young, but now my husband and I have a grandson, and the magic of Christmas is becoming important again. Here’s to everyone that is making Christmas, Christmas, to all the toil that goes on behind the scenes. For all the commercial aspects of Christmas, there is still something that brings out the best in us, we become friendlier, and we do wish glad tidings to all.
The more we give to life, the more it gives back to us.
Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character. William Arthur Ward
You’re happiest while you’re making the greatest contribution. Robert F. Kennedy
You have brilliance in you, your contribution is valuable, and the art you create is precious. Only you can do, and you must. Seth Godin
Thank you for reading this post. I hope you enjoyed it. I hope you will come back and read some more. Have a blessed day filled with gratitude, joy, and love.
