Wrapping Up Christmas

I am thankful for another great Christmas celebration!
As always, the anticipation and excitement that surrounds this season is almost surreal. It makes me wonder what life would be like if every day was peppered with the same level of expectation and activity. What if our permanent attitude was one of focusing on others and searching for gifts to give others that would make them smile and feel joy? Suppose our social calendars were always as busy as they seem to be around Christmas. We would have to pace ourselves and prepare for the marathon of joy instead of the sprint of the season. That lifestyle is possible. In fact, this way of life should be exuded by those of us who call ourselves 'Christian.'

Our family was certainly blessed beyond our imagination. We were showered with gifts and cards. Thanks for your kindness. Our hope is that our expressions of gratitude are fitting.

What's In A Name?

Everything! Think about it. A good name can take us places we could never have gone without it. A bad name can also take us places we would never have gone.
Sometimes our names cause us lots of problems. Remember the song by Johnny Cash about a boy named 'Sue'?" What's in a name?

I came across a list of some celebrities who thought it necessary to change their given names. As you read the list, you'll see why they changed their names. You will be familiar with the first name listed, and you'll be amused by the given names that follow.

Cher....................................Cherilyn Sarkisian
Kathie Lee Gifford ...........Kathie Epstein
Whoopie Goldberg............Caryn Johnson
Hulk Hogan ......................Terry Gene Bollea
Jerry Lewis.......................Joseph Levitch
Liberace.............................Wladziu Lee Valentino
Courtney Love..................Michelle Harrison
Dean Martin .....................Dino Crocetti
Groucho Marx..................Julius Henry Marx
Meat Loaf .........................Marvin Lee Aday
Freddie Mercury............. Frederick Farookh Bulsara
George Michael ................Georgios Panayiotou
Marilyn Monroe................Norma Jean Mortenson
Demi Moore.......................Demetria Guynes
Chuck Norris......................Carlos Ray
Jack Palance......................Walter Palanuik
Joan Rivers .......................Joan Sandra Molinsky
Sugar Ray Robinson..........Walker Smith, Jr.
Mr. T...................................Lawrence Tero
Ringo Starr........................Richard Starkey
John Wayne...................... Marion Morrison

So.....what do you think? Want to stick with that moniker that someone else hung on you or do you want to recreate your image? Here's a thought: Image has much more to do with the person we are than the name we carry.