it is a wonderful life...

after watching one of my favorite Christmas movies of all-time, It's a Wonderful Life, i am reminded of the true meaning & spirit of this special season--namely to recognize the greatest gift that the good Lord has given to men and women alike is life. Jesus, of course, is the reason we celebrate the season and His birth, life, death & resurrection have the utmost importance to so many of us; however, for each of us to forget that our life is precious and worth living (no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in) would be foolish. instead, let us celebrate life and the blessings that accompany that great gift this day & every day. tonight, i was reminded of what it feels like to lose all hope in oneself and one's life, and i want no part of that. we can all learn a very important message from George Bailey's (Jimmy Stewart) guardian angel, Clarence AS2 (Angel second-class), whose words jingle like the silver bells that adorn the tallest of trees: "remember that no man is a failure who has FRIENDS."