This new season...

I am looking forward to the Christmas season. I have some ideas for new traditions.

I have the only Chia pet nativity creche. So now is the time to take out the set and plant the grass and begin to water. Before the twelve days begin, I will have a full blown Chia Christmas experience. I also have a "homies" creche.

Donate a pint of blood to the bloodbank. By the time Christmas comes someone will have a gift waiting for them. Life.

Vote for someone that will not increase taxes and appoint liberal judges to the Supreme Court Bench after the new year. Like W! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!!!!)

Make gifts for the family. Make food, photos, scarves, hats, purses, etc. Buy rare used books, records and other things that inspire, encourage, expand awareness, creativity, and understanding. And give the balance of what you would have spent to someone who has nothing.

Make a wreath. Be creative and use things other than fir branches.

Do something different. Add wasabi to the cranberry dressing.

Meet a new neighbor.

Write a letter to a fireman or policeman and thank them for the job they did this year and that you are thinking of them during this season.

Take out the youth pastor or the janitor from the church for lunch or coffee. You treat.

Get a bunch of friends and make soup for the church choir's Christmas performance. They won't know what to do with you.

Plant bulbs for the spring. Put one red tulip bulb in a pot with all white ones and enjoy the uniqueness in the spring.

Do as Cosby does and learn to make a pastry, like bear claws or croissants. And invite your mom for breakfast.

Stand up to bullies and give time or money to the underdog. Work for mercy and justice.

Try a new ethnic restaurant and ask them how they celebrate the holidays. Have the owner tell you a story of their holidays from home.

Take a walk and skip.

I know this sounds like Martha Stewart type stuff, but we need to do something other than the same old, same old this year. Enjoy life, drink responsibly, vote, celebrate the birth of a child and the life of someone who has passed on, tithe (give 10% of your earnings) to a mission or a church. (We designate ours to the youth ministry.) Be bold and reach out to the person in class or at work who you have never met. Take a different street to work or school. Slow down and turn off the radio or CD player or the iPod and listen to the sounds around you. Now I sound like Dr. Phil... Sorry