Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

There are several universal laws that science and spiritual leaders agreed on and taught for thousands of years. A few of these laws include the "Law of gravity" and the "Law of Karma." In the Law of gravity, it's a fact that if you jump off from the top of a building, you will fall, no exception.

The second Law is the Law of Karma, also known as the Law of Reaping and Sewing or Newton's Third Law. This law state, "for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." The Law of reaping and sewing is one of the universe's fundamental laws; however, many violate it because they do not understand its significance. In life, we will always get what we put out. We sew bad seeds; we get bad seeds in return, simple. The biggest mistake we make when we do good deeds is expecting our good deed to return to us immediately or in the same way we give it. Sometimes what we put out takes years and comes back in a way we did not expect, but always in the matter, we need. Be patience. Nothing you do for others is wasted.

One of my siblings shows me this every single day. Growing up as the oldest girl with five younger siblings, I took on responsibility too young. When I was 15 years old, I started working at Burger King, a fast-food restaurant in South Omaha. Helping my mother put clothes and shoes on my siblings fell on me. Every Christmas, my best friend Martha Nyalat and I drove to Burlington Coat Factory in West Omaha to get Christmas presents for all our siblings. Martha and I ensured each of our siblings had at least one outfit; sometimes, that was all we could afford. We did it every single year; we did it for back to school and during the summer too. We always ensure our siblings are well taken care of to relieve this burden from our mothers. It was hard, especially when we were in nursing school. In 2018, my sister Nyaduel Tongyik moved to San Antonio, TX, to help me with my kids, and she has been an example of this Law manifesting in my life regularly.

This morning, however, it manifested the same way I had put it out nearly 20 years ago. It was weird. Nyaduel has been wrapping Christmas presents and putting them under the Christmas tree all week. It was hard convincing my 6 and 5 years that it was not time to open the gifts yet. The kids learned the importance of being "patient" this week. This morning while we were opening our presents, I had a deja vu moment. I was no longer the only person giving Christmas presents. My sister, who was three years old when I took over the responsibility, took care of her nephews and me. My daughter Marnaa also joined in by spoiling me with gifts. I received way more than I deserved. I know Christmas is not about receiving gifts nor how many presents are under the Christmas tree. Christmas is about reflecting on the gift of eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ, who sacrificed his life for all humankind so that we may all dwell with our heavenly father one day. It's about the blessing we have received and enjoyed all year.

Today, my heart is full of gratitude and love. I pray I carry this feeling throughout 2023. I also pray that you always feel the love and appreciation from your loved ones.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. My theme for this year is "Living Holistically, Here and Now" What is your Theme?

by Nyajuok T Doluony