Here’s a repost from last Christmas that sends a message of what I would like you to be conscious of this and every Holiday season. Remember what is important. You won’t find it in a store. Many joyous blessings and abundance to you all…

Dr. E…

Twas the sale before Christmas and all through the store,

All the ads were asking shoppers to keep buying more.

All the credit cards were maxed and the bank accounts drained

From years of excess spending that left everyone pained.

The Children on their laptops, their I-Pods on high

Were chatting on MySpace with some unknown guy.

And Mom with her Shopping Channel with the latest good buy,

Was seeking to satisfy her ultimate high.

When from my neighbor’s yard there rose such a clatter,

The repo man came calling as a car window shattered.

And out of the driveway he drove with a flash,

My friend running behind him with a fistful of cash.

And down to his knees

My neighbor fell into tears.

One more family that had lost

Their holiday cheer.

And I to my Mercedes,

Was off to the Mall.

To see if I could find

Any last minute hauls.

On Macy’s, on Saks on Home Depot too

On Victoria’s Secret and Buster Brown’s Shoes

The sales were abundant; you name your price

But few had the money to buy things so nice.

I looked for a Gift Card with all intents to share,

But felt cautioned to purchase one ‘cause the store may not be there.

So many to make happy with what I should buy,

While thinking when I haven’t got what I wanted, I have just learned to lie.

And off to the Toy store to see what I could find,

To try to buy my kid’s happiness to get guilt off my mind.

But what was I doing spending without regard,

When just the other day my wife cut up my cards.

On the News they have been saying that our economy is ill

With layoffs and cutbacks and the big three in peril.

The banks are collapsing, foreclosures galore

No longer can we keep spending with the worst still in store.

“Christmas is Christmas,” I thought to myself,

With Santa, and Jesus, and Reindeers and elves.

It’s our birthright to have gifts overflowing under the tree,

While my kids make their lists for both Santa and Me.

But how will they feel when I can’t keep coming through,

With all of the presents that they expect too.

When I thought of all of our Christmases past

Each one had to be bigger and better than the last.

“But Christmas is here!” I began to exclaim,

“And I have no more money and no one to blame.”

My wallet was empty, my sense of value was lost,

I had become so addicted to what everything cost.

Overcome with the guilt wondering what it was about.

It seemed to hit me in the gut, and then I passed out.

It was then that I seemed to fall into a dream

That felt similar to the painting, they call it “The Scream”.

It wasn’t the sugar plums dancing in my head

But all of the emotions I had grown to dread,

I felt lost deep inside me with no distractions around,

To help me wake up and get off the ground.

When all of a sudden it seemed to be,

Two people approached me and bent down on their knee.

And one with in his sandals, the other with a red hat,

Began to help me to see where our society is at.

When the one said to me “I did not come here to see

You all spending your ways into eternity.

I came here to spread lots of Peace, Love, and Joy

To live my life as an example to all girls and boys.”

But what have you done with what I had taught,

I see that you are reaping what you all have wrought.

While there were gifts that were given on the day of my birth

My Father did not request they have monetary worth.

I only asked that you look deep down inside and see,

That Abundance is within you, not just within me.

I don’t know how to tell you how much you are loved.

It won’t come from a commercial, but from within and above.”

And then what I saw was the Jolly old elf,

Who stated, “I am a spirit that lives in the self.”

But the holidays are for buying, “I thought deep inside.”

“You still do not hear me, my words you don’t bide.”

“What happened to my spirit, did I tell you to buy?

So many people in debt, with mortgages so high.

Your kids never asked for those expensive toys,

Learn to listen deep inside of your girls and your boys.”

“All we ask is that you share love and abundance and cheer,

Not gift cards and Nintendos and Game Boys with gear.

It was commercialism that sold you on the toys and the cars,

On the big houses, with media and weight rooms and bars.”

“Christmas comes from the heart and the soul,” Is what They said.

“Not from commercials or spending or the excesses you have led.

The intent is in learning to love without regard,

For the gifts you have received or the number of Christmas cards.”

“It’s also time you learn to live in balance with Earth.

For that is the greatest gift to you that God did give birth.

For Christmas could not happen, and nor could you give,

If there was no planet on which you could live.”

I heard their words deeply as they helped me to my feet,

I suddenly felt a new awareness. I felt so complete.

“From within, you find love,” they said as they rose out of sight.

“Merry Christmas to all, and to All a good night”

Erik Fisher, Ph.D. aka, Dr. E… December 2008

Thank you Clement Moore for your inspiration

Dr. E… is the author of:

The Art of Empowered Parenting: The Manual You Wish Your Kids Came With

The Art of Managing Everyday Conflict: Understanding Emotions and Power Struggles

Check out Dr. E…’s latest television interviews now!