Lest I wax philosophical during this busy holiday time, I m just giving you a few quotes this month. I will say this: as we wrap up the year, with days of thanks and celebration behind us and ahead, I find myself almost in a state of shock that I and those around me are so fortunate. I m not talking about what we do for a living, or anything as surface as that. It s more like this: if we re even on-line right now, if we have the luxury of being able to read off a computer, do you know what tiny percentage of the world s most privileged population that puts us in?

Certain luxuries are so commonplace that we look right over them every day. But how are we the ones to have so much? (I must have chosen my parents very carefully...). Read the headlines. Sensitively, look at the rest of the world.

Along with that knowledge carries a certain joyful responsibility. But sometimes I struggle with the notion that the world's problems are too big, that nothing I can do is enough. This Christmas and Chanukah, let's do it. Let's use the resources we truly do have, both inside us and around us, to bless as we ve been blessed.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn t serve the world. There s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It s not just in some of us; it s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Nelson Mandella
1994 Inaugural Speech

"When I talk about devoting my time to more important things, personal experiences are more important than any film. Giving to one person is no better or worse than giving to a group of people. Make just one person happy."

Hayao Miyazake
Japan s Premiere Anime Director

"Let me help. A hundred years or so from now I believe a famous novelist will write a classic using that theme. He ll recommend those three words even over  I love you." James T. Kirk
"The City on the Edge of Forever"

Let us know what you're doing, yes? Blessed Holidays.

Love to All,
Chase

ISSUE 11.1   DECEMBER 11, 1998