Hilary's Christmas Newsletter 2011

Welcome to the Christmas Edition of my Newsletter.

I had a trip down memory lane the other day. Back in the 70’s I was keen on Folk music. My favorite artists were Tom Paxton, Gordon Lightfoot and Ralph McTell. Guess What? I found them on YouTube! There they were in all their glory, just as I remembered them. Singing songs like Early Morning Rain, Canadian Railroad Trilogy,

The Minstrel of the Dawn, Streets of London, Last Thing on my Mind. All my old favorites were there. I had a blissful couple of hours listening to them all.It occurred to me that many of these old songs are still relevant today, more than 30 years after they were written. Take Ralph McTell’s Streets of London for example. Here (thanks to Google) is an excerpt from the lyrics:

Have you seen the old girl Who walks the streets of London

Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags? She's no time for talking, She just keeps right on walking Carrying her home in two carrier bags.

So how can you tell me you're lonely, And say for you that the sun don't shine? Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London

I'll show you something to make you change your mind

Poignant, isn’t it?

My take on this song is that no matter how bad you think your life is, there is always some one out there worse off than you. So what I would like everyone to do this Christmas season is to think about all the things in your life that you have to be grateful for. Think with gratitude about the things that we take for granted; having a roof over our heads, food on the table, family and friends, our health; a car to drive around in. Most of us have much to be grateful for. All of us can find at least one thing even if it is just being grateful for waking up to a new day. Being in a state of Gratitude changes our energy, it lifts us up. So then if we are really honest, we can’t say that for us the sun don’t shine.

Talking about singing; Christmas is a time for singing Carols; however, carol singing may not be as innocuous as it seems. I received a document last year warning of OH&S regulations pertaining to carol singing. It is meant to be a bit of fun, but it highlights how we can get bound up in “Red Tape”. Rules and regulations are fine; and OH&S regulations have generally given us safer workplaces. Something to be grateful for. However, sometimes all the rules & regulations go a bit too far and stifle us; preventing us from enjoying life and moving forward. I have re-printed some excerpts here just for fun! Health & Safety and Equality Considerations for Christmas Carols

While Shepherds Watched

While shepherds watched their flocks by nightAll seated on the groundThe angel of the Lord came down and glory shone around

The Shepherds’ Union has complained that it breaches health and safety regulations to insist that shepherds watch their flocks without appropriate seating arrangements being provided, therefore benches, stools and orthopedic chairs are now available. Shepherds

have also requested that due to the inclement weather conditions at this time of year, they should watch their flocks via CCTV cameras from centrally heated Shepherd Observation Huts.

Please note, the Angel of the Lord is reminded that before shining his/her glory all around he/she must ascertain that all shepherds have been issued with glasses capable of filtering out the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and Glory.

Away in a MangerAway in a manger, no crib for a bedThe little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head,The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

For a baby to have no crib and be sleeping on hay is a clear indication of neglect and misappropriation of the Baby Bonus, most likely due to parental drug addiction. If the stars can see this unfortunate child, then he is also clearly not being provided with appropriate shelter. Any teachers, doctors of other mandated reporters are reminded that any such instances of child abuse must be reported without delay to the local Family and Community Services office.

Little Donkey

Little donkey, little donkey on the dusty roadGot to keep on plodding onwardsWith your precious load

The RSPCA have issued strict guidelines with regard to how heavy a load that a donkey of small stature is permitted to carry. Also included in the guidelines are how often to feed the donkey and how many rest breaks are required over a four hour plodding period. Please note that due to the increased risk of pollution from the dusty road, Mary and Joseph are required to wear face masks to prevent inhalation of any airborne particles.

The donkey has expressed his discomfort at being labeled ‘little’ and would prefer just to be simply referred to as Donkey. To comment on his height or lack thereof may be considered an infringement of his equine rights.

Author Unknown.

At this point, there is very little left that I could say except:

Have a Very Happy Christmas and a Safe and Prosperous Year in 2012.

Until Next Time,Best Wishes to You All,

Hilary

www.theoutandabourtherapist.com