From Roy H. Williams. Passing it on.

The Language of Ritual

According to cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Ricardo Gattass, the 4 kinds of thought are Verbal, Abstract, Analytical and Symbolic.

I believe Ritual to be one of the most powerful languages of Symbolic thought.

Like myself, you probably grew up rejecting conformity with every ounce of your being. It's the mark of every Baby Boomer. "Just be yourself, man. Do your own thing. You gotta be free, man. Open up." But the price we paid for this pursuit of individuality was our loss of the language of ritual. In demanding uniquely personal self-_expression, we gave up the quiet beauty of this majestic language of the soul.

We threw the baby out with the bathwater.

Admittedly, "values" are private, abstract concepts. But we are defined by our values, nonetheless. We create rituals and traditions to remind ourselves of what we believe. It is only when our rituals are no longer tied to our values that they become tired and empty.

I began to think about all this during a New York lunch with my friend, Lenny Kramer.

Every day since his mother passed away a number of months ago, Lenny has arisen at 5:30AM and traveled across the city to say a memorial prayer for her at his place of worship. Lenny will do this every day for a year (except for the Sabbath, when he will rest until time for services at 9AM.)

Traditions such as these have a profound impact on our sense of identity. Saying in your heart "Family comes first" is easy. Saying it with your mouth is even easier. But rolling out of bed at 5:30 to begin a cold journey in the dark is how a ritual uses physical action to solidify and "make real" an abstract belief.

Do you suppose that Lenny Kramer will have any trouble convincing his children that he treasures them - his family - more than he treasures his own personal comfort?

You may not think that you have rituals in your life, but I can assure you that you do. Perhaps you have rituals concerning the beginning of a New Year. If not, has the time come, perhaps, to create one?

The magic of ritual and tradition is that they remind us of who we are and where our lives are headed.

Who are you, and where is your life headed?

Roy H. Williams

Always have something ahead of you worthwhile. I like that. Positive expections help motivate all of us. So set some positive goals this next year and give it all you have to achieve them.

"People who say that life is not worthwhile are really saying that they themselves have no personal goals which are worthwhile. Get yourself a goal worth working for. Better still, get yourself a project. Always have something ahead of you to look forward to...to work for and hope for."

Dr. Maxwell Maltz
Author of "Psycho-Cybernetics"

Happy New Year everyone! Can you believe it's the end of 2003? Much has changed in the world and much will change. I'm working on my goals for 2004. If I'm going to change its up to me. No one will have any committee or board meeting to assist me in changing. It will be all up to me.

"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."

Calvin Coolidge
1872-1933, Thirtieth President of the United States

WILLIAM BARNES HILLIS

William Barnes Hillis, 91, of Uvalde, died Dec. 15, 2003, at Uvalde Memorial Hospital.
He was born Nov. 12, 1912, in Dawson to B. W. and Eula Lee Hillis, who preceded him in death.
He married Inez Miller in Utopia Dec. 26, 1933. She preceded him in death Aug. 9, 2001.
He was a sheep, goat and cattle rancher on land along the Seco Creek east of Utopia. He worked as a carpenter until his retirement due to ill health.
He was a faithful member of the Utopia Church of Christ where he served as an elder and song leader. He was currently residing at Amistad Nursing Home in Uvalde.
Besides his wife and parents, he was also preceded in death by one son, Bruce Barnes Hills; one brother, Nolan Hillis; and two sisters, Winnie Clements and Johnnie Faye Hillis.
He is survived by two sons, William David Hillis and wife, Wanette, and John Lee Hillis and wife, Judy, all of Utopia; and two brothers, Hudson Hillis and wife, Johnnie, of Uvalde, and Martin Hillis and wife, Beverly, of Fredericksburg.
Also surviving are grandchildren, Duane Hillis and wife, Tracy, Dean Hillis and wife, Julie, Patti McCaleb and husband, Dwayne, Colby Hillis and wife, Suzanne, and Kathie Burns and husband, Shawn; and great-grandchildren, Chad Hillis, Michael Hillis, Chelsea Hillis, Hunter Hillis, Kristi McCaleb, Kayla McCaleb, Justin McCaleb, Brady Burns, Shaylee Burns, William “Will” Hillis, Jordan Hillis and Kendall Hillis.
Funeral services were held yesterday at 3 p.m. in the Utopia Church of Christ with George Keelin officiating. Interment was in the Waresville Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials to the Utopia Church of Christ, P.O. Box 214, Utopia, TX 78884, or the Utopia Emergency Medical Service, P.O. Box 393, Utopia, TX 78884.
Arrangements by Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary.

The preacher said one lady in the church said of Barnes Hillis.

"He was the finest man who ever lived"

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

Leo Buscaglia
Author and Lecturer

Yahoo! News - Inflation at 38-Year Low
I guess at sometime "Everyday Low Prices" has to hit the national economy. Wal-Mart/China combined have been deflationary. Especially with Wal-mart such a huge part of the American economy. Allen Greenspan should thank Bentonville Ark for doing his job!

I started a book on the Middle East history. Before 1922 Iraq didn't exist as we now it or knew it. In fact it was created ( the borders of Iraq) by a British civil servant post WWI.

Today the wind is blowing over 40mph out of the west. Lubbock is coming to town if Santa doesn't make it.
Today my Uncle Barnes passed away. Barnes was my dad's step brother. Barnes Hillis lived in Utopia, Texas (yes and it is Utopia there). He and Inez lived out on her family ranch. One thing I remember is going their and Aunt Inez cooking the riches cakes and deserts I had ever eaten. Barnes had many friends and lived in Utopia till a few years ago where he moved to a nursing home in Uvalde. To me Barnes was a gentle, friendly man. He never spoke bad of anyone and probably never missed a Sunday Church service. He lived on the otherside of the dry Saco creek which at times didn't stay dry.
He leaves to me a legacy of: gentleness

statesman.com

Yahoo! News - Taiwan Says Vote Still on Despite Bush Warning
One has to wonder why a small island would try to flex its muscle at a country the size of China. In fact most Taiwanese companies are all doing business in China. They've moved mfg to mainland China. The way I see it: It's one country!

Tomorrow I speak to a local Civic club on China. I'm looking forward to it!

Just got back from a trip to New Orleans, LA.. The annual November Helen Britt Show (www.jewelry2gilft.com)
there must be 50,000+ frantic shopping women all pouring into the convention center in downtown New Orleans, LA..
I'm amazed everytime I go.
Of course this is the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase. A great book on it is Jefferson Great Gamble. Highly recommended. Worth reading 2 times for sure.
Jesse and I arrived in Fredbg Texas where he dropped me off and I spent Thanksgiving there. My dad killed a 4pt buck which he gave me half.
Ronda did the downtown Heaven On Main Street show and it was a great success.

"Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit."

Conrad Hilton
1887-1979, Founder of Hilton Hotels