During this time of year I can't help but take a deep breathe and sigh.  It seems to me that people just can't resist outdoing one another. I decided this year just to sit back and monitor friends and families comments and really take a look at what was going on, instead of getting lost in the normal holiday shuffle. Wow! I couldn't believe what I heard. It seems that most everyone was bragging about what they got or what they bought. All trying to pass it off as no big deal, but guess what I just got, aren't I lucky? It really made me start to think. Not one of these people said they were thankful for their families, friends, or health. I had to shake my head and laugh. In todays day and age it seems like this is what is expected of us although it makes me sad. We have been led to believe we need to one up each other by getting the newest cell phone, touch computer, or car. With my family taking on our new philosophy of really trying to help our fellow man and reject the craziness of excess in society, I took this as a challenge. It would be easy to throw gifts at people and show others how "special" we are, but I went the other direction. The kids and I sat down and wrote one sentence of what we were truly thankful for, and then made them into ornaments for our tree. Then we wrote a sentence for our friends and family as to why they were special to us. We plan on giving these out for Christmas! Something small that can show people you care and you don't have to spend money on. So the next time someone starts going on about how much they spent on something just remember it's not how much you spend, or the items you acquire, it's how you treat people and yourself. Take the time to let the people around you know why they are important.