All I want for Christmas

- the beautiful tagimaucia flower from Taveuni
from w
All I want for Christmas
is a Fiji
where incompetence is not overlooked, or shrugged off,
where immorality is not seen as cleverness in the law,
where guile and rottenness is not the rule,
where bullies no longer bring tears and shame,
where every school child has an opportunity to grow without fear,
where gifted women can find fulfilment in careers and lifestyle choices,
where hereditary leaders act like loving grandparents,
where artistic achievement and cultural experiences are enriching,
where people are not manipulated nor the elderly misled,
where those who speak the truth are respected.
where leadership is about responsibility not personal greed,
where compassion and healing take priority.
That’s my wish for Christmas and the coming New Year.
Dilkusha church near the Rewa river.
And as someone else said so eloquently:

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

-- Max Ehrmann, 1927