A few years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic, I wrote a blog titled The Season Is Nigh Upon Us. My blog began with the following:

In no way, shape or form do I want to slight any person’s religious beliefs. Given, however, that I’m a Catholic Christian, I’d like to reflect on how my belief system affects my thoughts about leadership. Even at this time of the year, I believe we can take some leadership lessons to heart. Regardless of our religious beliefs, within each of us there’s a core,
in-the-marrow belief that considers something more divine at work. Your faith is just as important to you as my faith is to me. I embrace your right to believe as you wish. I ask you to embrace my right to believe as I wish.

This time of year brings out the best and worst in us all. There shouldn’t be either-or propositions, however. I believe there should be an all-encompassing embrace of humanity and an acceptance of each other’s beliefs no matter how far-flung they might seem.

Heck, the leader of my own church stated atheists can make their way into heaven. Then why did I endure the torment and pain of 16 years of Catholic education? Just kidding, mom and dad. I loved every minute of my formative educational years. Now, forgive me for a moment while I wipe the involuntary spastic spit from my face.

If I wish you a merry Christmas and you’re Buddhist, please don’t be offended. Instead, take my salutation as a way of welcoming you into my joy. The joy I celebrate at this time of year.

If you ask me habari gani? I’ve learned you’re not just asking how I am. Rather, the greeting reinforces awareness of and commitment to the seven principles of Kwanzaa: collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, creativity, earth, purpose, self-determination and unity. Who am I to argue against any of those principles? I embrace them as well.

I could go on and on.

Not counting the fictional or paradisical days celebrated in November or December, there are at least 58 holidays celebrated around the globe in these 61 days. Almost one celebration per day.

From Christianity through Hinduism there are 12 celebrations in the month of November — from All Saint’s Day through Diwali. We have secular days thrown in as well — including Guy Fawkes Night.

December brings 46 different celebratory days, including those involving Buddhism (Bodhi Day) and Christianity (Christmas). There are Hindi celebrations (Pancha Ganapati) as well as Jewish celebrations (Hanukkah). In addition to Kwanzaa, there’s Chalica and HumanLight.

That’s not counting fictional events or parodies. They include Festivus (thanks Jerry Seinfeld) and Life Day, when Wookiees wear long red robes, sing under the sacred Tree of Life and reminisce.

My wish during this special time of the year starts with something Mother Teresa once said: “If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people will try to cheat you. Be honest anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight. Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous of you. Be happy anyway. The good you do today will often be forgotten by tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.”

This is a great aspiration for all leaders. It’s a great aspiration for us all.

In an address to the Canadian Parliament in 1961, President John F. Kennedy said: “Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies. Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder. What unites us is far greater than what divides us.”

Wouldn’t it be great if we all focused on the things that unite us instead of the things that divide us?

That’s my wish during this season.