Christmas (is the time)

Welcome everyone, to The View from the Sun, I am as always, your host, Erik Abbey. Today being December 23, I'd like to take a moment of your time to explain to you what Christmas means to me. First and foremost, yes, regardless of my personal beliefs and religion, it is, was and always will be, Christmas! No "happy holidays" for me, however if you are of a different religion, please, feel free to wish me a merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, merry Kwanzaa, whatever you might be celebrating, I promise to not get offended. That being said, it's time. Close your eyes, and dream of sugar plums dancing in your head. Wake up to the bright sun because this is The View from the Sun, and it's a Merry Christmas-y kind of day.

Christmas, to me, is one of the very few times throughout the year, where I believe that magic can exist. I love the wonderful music, (even if I have heard that particular version of "White Christmas" a hundred times today), I love the food, snacks and treats(a little more than I probably should), but the thing I love the most, is getting to spend time with my friends and family. Reminiscing about years past, and thinking of the future Christmas celebrations. Looking forward to the brand new year.

Some Christmas's seem more special than others. I don't know why, it just happens. I'll never forget the times when I was a youngster, and we'd spend Christmas eve at my grandmothers, celebrating the birth of Christ, and then we'd go over the next day, after going up to my Grandma and Grandpa's, and open gifts and have dinner. Spending time with my cousins, aunts and uncles, and my Grandmother especially, was fantastic. Looking back on those times, I feel like I took it all for granted. I thought that all the good times would last, that we'd all stay a tight knit family. Things and people change, but my memory stays the same.

To me, there is nothing more magical than a white Christmas. This year, we might have one, but it doesn't look like it's a definite. I'm hoping for it. I don't think a Christmas celebration can be considered complete without the Christmas classic clay-mation, stop-motion, corny ass specials. Rudolph, Frosty, Santa Claus is coming to town, and the newer, supposed classics, like Polar Express, and Elf. I love reliving the days of my youth. I remember setting up our family Christmas tree while watching Rudolph or Frosty. I hope that those shows never die, and are considered proper Christmas traditions for many, many years.

There is no doubt that, after my own birthday, Christmas is my favorite holiday, followed closely by Halloween (weird, right?). It's not a secret, I love the feeling of togetherness that most people get during Christmas, and I don't even love the presents like I once did. I can't say that I don't like them, but as a youth, they seem much more important than they do as an adult. I'm proud of that. I don't want to be a materialistic person.

I sincerely hope that all who read my blogs and even those who don't, have a Merry Christmas, and if that isn't your thing, a Happy Hanukkah, or a Merry Kwanzaa if that's what you celebrate, and of course a HAPPY NEW YEAR! It's that time again to sign off. Two blogs in less than a week? Is there something wrong with me? Nah, just trying to be productive and such with my writing. I hope that you enjoyed my take on Christmas, and I thank you for reading my little blog, here in my little corner of the internet. I hope you'll join me again in the very near future. Remember to stay sunny, my friends. The future is bright, if you make it so.

If I could write a letter to me

Welcome one and all, to the view from the Sun I am, as always, your host Eros Helios. Procrastination is a hell of a drug. I've been meaning to write this blog for the last two weeks, and I just now, finally got around to writing it. Yes, procrastination is a habit that I wish I did not have. So, without further ado, I bring to you, the view from the Sun!

A number of years ago, Brad Paisley sang a song about writing a letter to his younger self. Upon thinking about it, I wonder what I would say to myself, if given the opportunity, in a letter. How would I prove it was me? How would I convince my younger self that it was imperative to listen to me?

If I could write a letter to me, and send it to myself at 14, I'd prove it's me by saying, only things that I would know at that age. I'd tell myself not to worry, that things can get better if you try. Health isn't anything to mess around with, focus on you and let the rest fall in line.

Don't quit school, don't fall in with the wrong people. Those that say they're your friends may not be so sincere. Someday, one in particular will come back to haunt you.

Don't forget to tell your family the truth. How much you love them, protect Michael and Shirley, but give them space. Don't forget about Grandma, spend as much time as you can with her.

Believe in yourself, and the world shall move for you. Don't let the doubts creep in and destroy your dreams. Don't fall for the wrong girl just because she's the first one to show you some affection. She's bad for you, like a poison.

Focus on learning as much as you can.

Learn as much as you can, learn as many languages as possible. Don't forget to be yourself. Don't let anyone change you. Make up your own mind, one belief isn't better than the other.

Above all else, be true to you, and remember, you can do great things if only you believe in yourself. It doesn't matter how many people believe in you, if you don't you won't succeed.

The best thing about this, is it's pertinent to me even now. I know some things are beyond my control, I can't get back the days I missed out on with my grandma, and I can't take back marrying the wrong girl, but everything else is as applicable, if not more so than if I were able to send this letter to a fourteen year old me.

Well, that about does it for me, however, I'd like to do my best and after the holidays, start either bi-weekly or weekly writing. Some of it may be good, some iffy, and some of it bad, but hey, it could be worse. Thanks for reading, and as always, enjoy the view, and stay sunny.