I’ve been trying to construct an appropriate holiday message. While the accepted thing is to garner a wish of Happy Holidays, it doesn’t fit my desire. I want something deeper and spiritual and more meaningful. One thing that has surprised me about readers of my blog is that you come from so many diverse backgrounds. You are Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Christian, Bahia, Buddhist, agnostic, and more. You are from France, Romania, Finland, Pakistan, Belgium, South Africa, Australia, Switzerland, England, Ireland, India, Canada, the U.S.A. and others. I love our differences and it causes one message to resonate with me in particular.
flickr.com/photos/marissamullen
My year of blogging has exposed me to so much and I am thankful to each one of you for your comments, your questions and for challenging me in new directions. My beliefs are stronger because of you.
I believe we need to be stewards of this beautiful planet.
I believe that we have the capacity to create health and heal ourselves through our prayers and the foods we eat.
I believe we need to teach ourselves and each other to have discussions because
I believe that now more than ever we have a need for civil discourse.
I believe sustainable living is possible even though it is not always easy.
I believe that education is the great equalizer.
I believe we need to work to eradicate poverty and that if we do,
I believe Peace is possible and that is my wish for all of you.
Agrigirl's Blog 
Tasleem
/ December 24, 2010That was a beautiful message:) Thanks so much! Happy Holidays and wishing you a magical New Year!:)
Tammy McLeod
/ December 25, 2010Magic to you to!
milkayphoto
/ December 25, 2010I would expect nothing less than such a beautiful, well-versed, holiday wish from you, Tammy! My heart and soul wishes for the very same thing and maybe, just maybe, if like-minded spirits come together and embrace all that you have stated, your (and my) wishes for a healthier and happier planet earth will indeed come true.
Many blessings to you this Christmas! Hugs! Tracy
P.S. LOVE the photo! 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ December 25, 2010It’s going to take a village Tracy. Merry Christmas. At least we know what we can work on next year.
Estrella Azul
/ December 25, 2010I think we’re the lucky ones to have found your blog and being able to read all your wonderful posts full of passion and so much great information!
Love this list of your beliefs, and it makes for an amazing Christmas (and not only) wish.
Wishing the same to you, Tammy 🙂
Huge Christmas-y hugs!
Tammy McLeod
/ December 25, 2010Thank you Estrella! I brought your flash friday story about the jack o lanterns to read while I’m visiting my Grandmother.
Estrella Azul
/ December 31, 2010So touched! 🙂 Did you like it?
And: Happy New Year!
Tammy McLeod
/ December 31, 2010Not there yet but will let you know!
Hannah
/ December 25, 2010So eloquently written – thank you, Tammy. And the same wishes back to you, from a reader in the Australia you so kindly thought to include in your list. It’s been a joy reading your heartfelt words this year 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ December 25, 2010Peace Hannah!
sartenada
/ December 25, 2010I wish Happy Christmas to You. The photo is really cool. Well done.
Tammy McLeod
/ December 25, 2010Thank you for visiting Matti. Merry Christmas.
souldipper
/ December 25, 2010What a great message. I certainly believe in you, Tammy. Thanks for your consistent and steadfast commitment to all-round goodness. Joy to you and all your loved ones.
Tammy McLeod
/ December 25, 2010Thank you Aimee. Joy is a wonderful wish. 😮
Jane
/ December 25, 2010Lovely, and full of grace as always, Tammy. Best to you in the new year. I am grateful to have found your writing in 2010. Looking forward to more in 2011.
Tammy McLeod
/ December 25, 2010Same to you Jane. I really enjoy your blog.
Tes
/ December 25, 2010That is just so beautiful, Tammy. I believe in Peace and understanding others. It is so nice to know you and read so many meaningful posts from you in the past year. Happy holidays!!!
I hope we can learn more from each other in the next year, too.
Tammy McLeod
/ December 25, 2010I think we will Tes. Merry Christmas.
Paula Tohline Calhoun
/ December 25, 2010And for you as well, Tammy! The very best of everything – I wish you enough. . .
Tammy McLeod
/ December 25, 2010Enough is perfect Paula.
Lisa H
/ December 25, 2010Merry Christmas, my dear sister. Your thoughtful insight speckled with humor is always a pleasure to read.
Tammy McLeod
/ December 25, 2010Merry Christmas to you Lisa. Make sure your kids watch the video. Mine thought it was really cool.
George Jurata
/ December 25, 2010Merry Christmas, Tammy. I agree with you that those possibilities that you state are indeed worthwhile and atainable.
George Jurata
Tammy McLeod
/ December 25, 2010Thank you George. Merry Christmas to you and Anne. Thanks for reading.
Todd Pack
/ December 25, 2010You summed things up nicely. Hope you’re having a good Christmas, Tammy.
Tammy McLeod
/ December 25, 2010You too Todd.
Cindy
/ December 25, 2010Richest blessings to you and yours, Tammy.
Tammy McLeod
/ December 25, 2010And blessings back to you Cindy.
Kathleen Bartolomei
/ December 25, 2010My dear … what a delightful and inspiring message of hope! Thank you for calibrating my attitude, for elevating my knowledge and warming the cockles of my heart with your blog this year! Looking forward to the lessons you will share in the new year! And thanks for reminding me of the peace Cat Stevens so beautifully composed in song! Can’t open it on this site, but I will go to YouTube!
Merry Christmas!
kb
Tammy McLeod
/ December 26, 2010Thank you Kathleen. I have loved getting to know you. Peace Train is one of my all time favorites.
Jenimc
/ December 25, 2010Tammy Merry Christmas. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful writing and a piece of your soul. You are so inspiring – a true gift to the world. I look forward to sharing the new year with you.
Jennifer
Tammy McLeod
/ December 26, 2010Thank YOU Jennifer. I love learning about your adventures in food with Zoe. Looking forward to 2011.
kateshrewsday
/ December 26, 2010What better than a set of rock-solid convictions to wish everyone well at Christmas? These are beautiful, Tammy, thank you.
Tammy McLeod
/ December 26, 2010You’re welcome Kate. Thanks so much for all of your encouragement. I love your writing.
Naomi
/ December 26, 2010Beautifully said, Tammy. Peace in abundance back to you 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ December 26, 2010Thanks Naomi. Have a happy New Year!
Giiid
/ December 26, 2010You also have a reader in Denmark wishing you a very happy new year. 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ December 26, 2010Thank you Giiid. Same to you.
Kathleen
/ December 26, 2010As always, I love your words. I hope this finds that you had a wondeful Christmas. Blessings,Kathleen
Tammy McLeod
/ December 26, 2010Have a wonderful new year Kathleen.
Judy Swartz
/ December 26, 2010I always enjoy reading your thoughts, Miss Tammy! May you and your men have a wonderful New Year!
Merry Christmas to you from me and my men! Judy 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ December 26, 2010Thank you Judy. Blessings to you and them in 2011.
Diane Scholten
/ December 26, 2010LOVE this, Tammy! Especially love adding “Peace Train” – perfect message!
Tammy McLeod
/ December 26, 2010It is a great song and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. Happy New Year Diane.
nrhatch
/ December 26, 2010I first heard Peace Train in 1972. I expected that we would find peace around the next bend. 🙂
One day.
Thanks, Tammy.
Tammy McLeod
/ December 26, 2010Yes, I am still hopeful and he is still singing it.
isathreadsoflife
/ December 27, 2010Dear Tammy, your message is just like you, generous, inspiring, full of hope and open to the whole wide world starting around you. There are several words I will remember from this blog : stewards, health, civil discourse, sustainable living, education, eradicating poverty. All of it may well make Peace come true, some day…
Thank you so much Tammy, I don’t remember how I found your blog but it was certainly a happy day 🙂 Many blessings for you and your in the New Year !
Tammy McLeod
/ December 27, 2010The feeling is entirely mutual Isa. Thanks so much for your words of encouragement.
Ollin
/ December 27, 2010Beautifully said Tammy. Beautifully said. Much peace to you, too. 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ December 28, 2010You too Ollin. Happy New Year!
Artswebshow
/ December 27, 2010If we all work together we can make the world a better place.
We are capable of it.
But the are always going to be those that stir up the pot.
It’s important to believe, keep the belief strong
Tammy McLeod
/ December 28, 2010I agree K. Thanks for coming by.
Tess The Bold Life
/ December 27, 2010Happy New Year. Thanks for sharing so much with all of us!
Tammy McLeod
/ December 28, 2010Thank you Tess. You are such an inspiration.
Sharon
/ December 28, 2010Beautiful message, and great song too.
Tammy McLeod
/ December 28, 2010Thank you Sharon. I obviously like it as well.
sweetlife
/ December 28, 2010lovely message, happy holidays to you and your family!!
sweetlife
Tammy McLeod
/ December 28, 2010And to you Sweetlife. It’s good to see you. Happy New Year.
larebear
/ December 30, 2010Lovely! I’m Jewish 😉
Tammy McLeod
/ December 30, 2010Thank you for visiting.
nursemyra
/ December 30, 2010Wishing you a wonderful New Year Tammy
Tammy McLeod
/ December 30, 2010I have so enjoyed your blog this year Myra.
Paul
/ December 30, 2010Happy holidays to you, Tammy.
I hope for world peace too, there are already huge challenges like global warming and food crisis, the least we can do is to stop hurting each other..
Tammy McLeod
/ December 30, 2010Yes, amazing what a collaborative world could do.
Sally Mom
/ December 30, 2010Tammy, I am just on and reading this wonderful message that comes from my heart as well! Thank you for so elequentley speaking in such dynamic language the words we all must feel and act on.
I have been working in soup kitchens with other volunteers and meeting people from all over the world, landed in difficult times and not, and all sing the same song.
Thank you Dear Dear Heart for this wonderful message.
L,
Sally
Tammy McLeod
/ December 30, 2010Thanks for your love and support Sally.
timkeen40
/ December 30, 2010Tammy,
I certainly love your message. I have been honored and excited by all the people I have come in contact since I started blogging. I am just as honored and excited to find your blog.
http://timkeen40.wordpress.com
Happy New Year to you!!!
Tammy McLeod
/ December 30, 2010I feel the same way Tim! Thanks for stopping by.
Sophie
/ December 31, 2010Ooooooh,..such a sweet post!!
I wish you & your lovely family a Happy, fun & joyfull 2011 filled with good health & good food!
Kisses from Brussels, Belgium to you!!
Tammy McLeod
/ December 31, 2010Good health and good food are wonderful wishes. Same to you Sophie.
nancy at good food matters
/ December 31, 2010Hi Tammy—Yes, I believe that we are all aligned with your thoughtful statements. I have enjoyed being a part of the discourse that your blog generates. Thanks for being the spark.
May our civil discourse continue—with joy and health and goodwill–in the coming year. Nancy
Tammy McLeod
/ December 31, 2010Thanks Nancy. So happy to have found your blog this year.
Kath (Eating for Living)
/ December 31, 2010Thank you for this beautiful message, Tammy! I hope we’ll get closer to that in the upcoming year. Happy New Year to you!
Tammy McLeod
/ December 31, 2010And to you Kath!
gospelwriter
/ December 31, 2010May joy and peace be yours in the new year…
Tammy McLeod
/ December 31, 2010And yours also.
Betsyfromtennessee
/ December 31, 2010Hi Tammy, May love and happiness and good health be YOURS in 2011….
Thanks for coming back to my blog. I had never heard of Hoppin JACK before… Next year, someone will make some Hoppin George!!!!! ha
Happy New Year.
Hugs,
Betsy
Tammy McLeod
/ December 31, 2010And I might even like Hoppin George! Thanks Betsy.
foodblogandthedog
/ December 31, 2010Happy New Year Tammy! Thanks for all your wise words, you make me believe it is possible. For us to change, I mean, or maybe evolve. There is definitely a feeling out there at the moment. One of hope.. Love & light, Natalie
Tammy McLeod
/ December 31, 2010And the same to you Natalie. Thanks for the gift of your blog.
Jessie carty
/ December 31, 2010Love this! I wish I had thought of something so poetic to say for the end of the year on my blog but instead I was just tired 🙂 here’s to 2011!
Tammy McLeod
/ December 31, 2010Yes, here’s to 2011. I’m glad I found your Thursday Poetry posts.
OysterCulture
/ December 31, 2010What a wonderful heartfelt wish, and I’d be hardpressed to come up with anything other. Thank you for doing a brilliant job of articulating what we all wanted to say.
Tammy McLeod
/ December 31, 2010Thank you LouAnn.
windspiritgirl
/ December 31, 2010Such a beautiful holiday message. I came here to wish you a Happy New Year, and I feel so blessed by the greeting that was already here, a message full of hope, but also very down to earth. 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ December 31, 2010Thanks Windspiritgirl. Happy New Year.
joanne
/ January 1, 2011Such a beautiful message.
Best wishes in the New Year.
Tammy McLeod
/ January 1, 2011You too Joanne.
Simply Life
/ January 1, 2011Happy New Year!
Tammy McLeod
/ January 1, 2011You too Simply.
Geni - Sweet and Crumby
/ January 1, 2011Beautiful, beautiful words. We can all do better. Happy New Year!
Tammy McLeod
/ January 1, 2011And collectively we do even better.
truels
/ January 1, 2011Dear Tammy! I can’t imagine a better post here around the end of the year than your post here: You have my deepest admiration and respect for having written this, and I certainly hope that the whole world reads it! While i write this I am listening to Peace Train – I love this song (and Cat Stevens!!) and have been listening to this and his other great songs thousands of times in my younger years. In my blog I have linked to some of my favorite music – now i feel I am missing “Peace Train”……….
I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful, lovely and Happy New year!
Tammy McLeod
/ January 1, 2011Thank you for the kind words Truels. And it is one of my very favorite songs.
shrinkingthecamel
/ January 2, 2011Great message and wonderful wishes, Tammy. Keep shouting it out! You have spoken the message of our times. And congratulations on such a far-reaching blog. It’s wonderful, isn’t it?
Tammy McLeod
/ January 3, 2011Thanks Bradley. Finding your blog has been a highlight of my year.
Emily Achenbaum Harris
/ January 3, 2011What a lovely post! Wishing you the best in 2011.
Tammy McLeod
/ January 3, 2011Thanks Emily.