The Return Ticket

2015 has been a transformative year; bringing about new ideologies

and surprises. We cannot deny that part of the world lost some of its
liberties and carefree nature, in which many of us grew up. It was only
about a few years ago when it seems as if even the monarchy walked
the streets with few security guards and unarmed. I remember when I
was a few feet from Queen Beatrice, from the Netherlands, as she
became acquaintance with a monumental neighborhood in needed of
preservation. She walked the streets in a friendly manner, firmly, but
unimposing. Back, then, I thought that the world was going to remain
mostly safe for all of us to walk the streets in pure curiosity. One of the
foundations in which communities developed given rise to modern
civilization was the unspoken trust between men(goodwill to one
another).Currently, to stand up for your beliefs and principles or go out
into public spaces might mean that one might no return home.
Principles hold for thousands of years speaking about love, redemption,
compassion, sacrifices, beauty, and truth, appear to offend others. A
group of people endured persecution. Our ancestors went through
inexplicable cruelties in order to grant us our freedom and make our
world better. Therefore, these principles shouldn't be trade to appease
people who simply act by senseless violence. If every time someone
disagrees or don't understand someone' else values they change their
essence, when, where, and how it will stop? It would leave one devoid
of an identity, knowledge of how they came to be, and uncertain
future.
The physical world is our friend, our capacity for peace shows our
higher development. We often distinguish ourselves from the four
legged animals, calling them brute and unintelligent. Yet, a small group
of us, without reason for the season in their quests for blood seeking to
demolish the progress already made; in such circumstances our
species appears to be going on reserve evolution.
Personally 2015 tested me in many different ways. But two options
remain, The option of living in fear, or representing the principles of
compassion, happiness, freedom, and love entrusted to us.
Something that has been a constant within my life is Christmas.
Christmas comes at the end of the every year, with its smell of
cinnamon, ginger, and traditions. During this season one is invited to
live their lives as they should 365 days of the year. As I was putting up
my Christmas tree someone asked me,' why do you devote your
energy doing this, arranging dead branches? And as I confess that I

don't normally celebrate Christmas in the traditional religious sense.

This is the answer I found, which I think answers all the questions I
been pondering during this year of happiness but also trial. I found my
"Christmas tree" at the park, fall took it down and made it look lifeless.
As I walked home that early noon from church I took it home. The tree
became new with its possibilities. I understood then what in a symbolic
sense means to die, rise again, and the potential of redemption that
gives hope and new life.
In Christmas Eve, I went back for the church service. When I entered
the space it appears to be full of strangers, disconnected people. Yet,
when we lighted up our candles, singing carols and letting go... I felt
our spirits lighted again became one. Remembering ourselves and
forgetting our differences... Who could gave up these moments of
liberties and happiness? I sure live for it...