A Christmas Story

More radiant than the Sun
Purer than the snow
Finer than the ether
Is the Self
The spirit in my heart
This self I am, I am this self

R. Steiner

Here's a Christmas story from my family to yours:

My daughter, in her mid 20's, works for a local video store in a small strip mall. She's very outgoing and a great favourite with the regular customers. In this mall is also a cafe, where she often pops in to grab a coffee and a snack. The lady who runs this store does not have very good English, but is very nice. One day, Victoria popped in and asked, How's business? Business not very good, was the sad reply. Well, said Victoria, I will tell all my customers to come over to grab a coffee and snack after they get their videos. Now, this is a great marketing strategy, since if you're going to stay up watching movies, you might as well grab a coffee and a snack while you're at it. So this is what she did. Later in the evening, Victoria turned around, and there was her friend from the cafe with a tray of baked goods. Victoria, she said, we have good business today. People come in and they say, Victoria sent us. We are closed now, and will not be open tomorrow, so this is for you to say thank you. Needless to say, she and her coworkers devoured the treats and a new relationship was born.
You can make your own moral to this story, but for me it is this: never let language, culture or religion be a barrier, for a whole world of possibilities and opportunities is waiting.

Sparky