We’re coming into a time of the year when certain conditions of the human consciousness glare. This time of the year is intended to be the happiest time of the year according to popular culture, but for most it’s not only not the happiest time of the year, it’s often the most conflicted time of the year. All of the unattended-to things relative to family and friends — all of the shortcomings that one has lived out for eleven months — suddenly pop up to the forefront when it’s time to have family meals, enjoy the happy tidings, buy gifts, and try to find a way to feel good about what you’ve been and done over the year by making it up to people.

You want to know how to make amends? Don’t hurt them. Don’t take from them. Don’t stand in front of others and wait for them to give you what you want so that your appetite can be satisfied. Give something to them. Give them your attention. Find out where you can be a little bit of light instead of a stone around somebody’s neck.

I know that it doesn’t sound like much, but I can assure you that one person in a crowd — coming wide awake and bearing some of the pain that’s inherent wherever human beings are gathered for the purpose of satisfying themselves — that such a tiny act not only changes that moment but changes the whole of the world that you and I have been a part of.