It’s that time of year again. The classic film It’s A Wonderful Life is broadcasting in time for the holidays. The tale of hyper-responsible dreamer George Bailey plays itself out for the world to see and celebrate. I have watched it dozens of times and delight in the telling of the difference one person can make, the assurance that the angels are always with us, that love triumphs and that people matter more than profits.

What moves me most about it is that we all have spiritual amnesia from time to time and forget that we really do matter. Consider what you do each day to make a difference in the lives of people you encounter. Opening a door, letting someone in front of you in a supermarket line, smiling, listening to a person in need, hugging, donating time and/or money, offering what you can from wherever you are. Imagine a world in which you were never born. In case you have never seen this classic film, that is the wish George casts out into the frozen river in the fictional town of Bedford Falls before he is about to cast himself into it. He is saved by angel in training, Clarence who becomes his tour guide and shows him how the lives of those around him would have been irreparably altered had he not been part of them.

The other loud and clear message is that we miss so much by waiting for the ‘right time’ and a clear sign to take leaps into our future. Since a heart attack a year and a half ago, I have been more courageous in asking for adventure and being stretchier emotionally. What might have scared me before has become common place. Mostly they flow through the relationship genre. Learning to interact as genuinely as possible, sharing thoughts and feelings that would have had me ducking for cover. Once I do that, the fear dissipates and I can move on to the next invitation to peel off the layers and reveal the real.

I have many angels in my life- human and celestial who have indeed earned their wings by being of loving support to me.  Lots of bells ringing.