What Do You Celebrate? – Our calendars are full of holidays celebrating (or remembering) war. There are memorials, recognitions, and the honoring of survivors. It was quite a big deal. Under the guise of “lest we forget,” we tend to focus on violence too much. Suppose you examine the list of federal holidays. In that case, there are five that directly or indirectly commemorate war and warriors: Presidents’ Day (Washington/Lincoln), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans’ Day. Two (2) celebrations are celebrated on New Year’s Day and Labor Day. There are three Christian holidays (Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). There is only one dedicated to a man of peace (Martin Luther King Jr. Day). I think I see the problem.
In a world often overshadowed by busyness, conflict, and commercialism, the true essence of our holidays can feel lost. Imagine instead a celebration dedicated not to excess, but to inner stillness, compassion, and harmony. This holiday invites us to pause, reflect, and nurture peace within ourselves and in our communities. By consciously designing holidays that honor peace, we can transform fleeting moments into meaningful traditions that heal, unite, and inspire.
We must start being conscious of our role in promoting peace. Celebrating a battle under the pretext of not doing it again is the same thing as being against something. Whether you are for battle or against battle, either way, you are focusing on battle. We must start focusing on peace. We need to start glorifying peace. We need to stop thinking in terms of a separation consciousness, ‘us against them.’ When you resist something, it persists. We must stop celebrating anything that separates “us” from “them.” I have a few ideas.
Holiday 1. Peace Day: This is a day when all people invite their neighbors to lunch. All religious houses (churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.) open their doors and educate people on how their religion promotes peace. For the week preceding this holiday, schools educate children about individuals who lived by the principles of peace and unity. Hunting or killing of any kind is strictly forbidden. Students will have to write a paper about someone that they admire who promoted peace.
Holiday 2. Abundance Day: This is a day when everyone shares their abundance with someone who has less. The homeless will be fed, bathed, given medical checkups, and assisted with contacting family if they wish to do so. People will be encouraged to share their savings with those less fortunate.
Holiday 3. Health Day: This one says it all. People will be given free health examinations for one day. We will need to determine how to cover the costs of medical treatment for those who require it, but it will be addressed. We have always been able to figure these kinds of things out.
Holiday 4. Friends Day: On this day, people will invite a friend (preferably one whom we haven’t communicated with in a while).
Holiday 5. Gifting Day: On this day, everyone will be assigned someone they don’t know to give a gift to. Preferably, it will be a handmade gift, but everyone gets a gift.
Holiday 6. Workday: Everyone gets to work and gets paid. Whether this is for national cleanup or public works, it doesn’t matter. Everyone who wants to work gets to work. People are interviewed for skills and potential jobs. Every business must hire at least one person on this day at minimum wage. Businesses with over 10 employees must hire one person for every 10 employees.
Holiday 7. Pet Day: Everyone gets to interact with a pet. Pets will be allowed into medical facilities and retirement homes, allowing people to pet and care for them. Anyone who wants their pet to be neutered will be given a voucher for that service. Any pets that are suffering due to owner neglect or abuse will be taken away and helped.
You probably get the idea and have some ideas of your own. We need to shift our consciousness away from resisting what we don’t want to being for what we want. I would love to hear your ideas for holidays.
As we envision and celebrate holidays that center on peace, we are reminded of a simple yet profound truth: what we focus on expands. By dedicating time, intention, and tradition to peace, we plant seeds that take root in our hearts and ripple outward into our families, communities, and the world. Each peaceful thought, word, and action becomes a beacon, lighting the way for others to follow. Let us choose to focus on peace, knowing that in doing so, we help it flourish far beyond a single day of celebration.
Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq., is an award-winning third-generation trial attorney specializing in family law and civil litigation for 27 years in his native North Carolina. Burned out, Sir James quit in 2004 and has spent the next 20 years doing extensive research and innovative training to help others facing burnout and personal crises heal. He has taught wellness, transformation, and mindfulness internationally to thousands of private clients, businesses, and associations. As a licensed attorney, he is focused on helping lawyers, professionals, entrepreneurs, employers, and parents facing stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, exhaustion, and burnout.
Sir James is a highly respected speaker, writer, TV personality, mentor, consultant, mastermind, and spiritual leader/healer who is committed to healing the planet. He possesses over 30 certifications and degrees in law, healing, and coaching, as well as hundreds of hours of post-certification training in the fields of neuroscience, neurobiology, and neuroplasticity; epigenetics; mind-body-spirit medicine; and brain/heart integration. Having experienced multiple near-death experiences has given him a deeper connection with divinity and spiritual energy.
Sir James regularly trains professionals, high-level executives, and businesspeople to hack their brains to turn stress into success. He is regularly invited to speak about mental and emotional health at ABA and state bar events. His work is frequently published in legal and personal growth magazines, including the ABA Journal, Attorneys-at-Work Magazine, and the Family Law Journal. Sir James has authored 13 books on personal growth and healing, including three targeting stressed professionals, and over 100 articles have been published in national magazines. He has produced several training videos for attorneys, executives, entrepreneurs, and high-level professionals.
Sir James has generously endowed numerous projects around the world to help children, indigenous natives, orphans, and the sick, including clean water projects in the Manu Rain Forest; orphanages, schools, and medical clinics/ambulances in India; Buddhist monks in Nepal; and schools in Kenya, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico.
In addition to his extensive contributions, Sir James produced and starred in three documentaries: one released in 2024 and two scheduled for release in 2025, focusing on healing, mental, and emotional health. The first, “Beyond Physical Matter,” is available on several streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime. The trailer can be found at www.BeyondPhysicalMatter.com. The second, “Beyond the Mastermind Secret,” is scheduled for release in the fall of 2025. The trailer can be found at https://BeyondMastermindSecrets.com/. The third, “Beyond Physical Life,” is posted on Gaia and Amazon Prime. The trailer can be found at https://beyondphysicallife.com/. He has formed an entertainment media production company, Beyond Entertainment Global, LLC, and is currently producing feature-length films and other media.
In recognition of his outstanding work and philanthropy, Sir James was recently knighted by the Royal Order of Constantine the Great and Saint Helen. In addition, Sir James won the prestigious International Impact Book Award for his new book, “Thriving in the Legal Arena: The Ultimate Lawyer’s Guide for Transforming Stress into Success.” Several of his other books have also won international book awards.
President Joe Biden recently awarded Sir James the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding service to his community, country, and the world. In the fall of 2024, he will be awarded the prestigious International Humanitarian Award, known as Men with Hearts, in London, England. He will also be named Man of the Year and Couple of the Year with his wife, Linda Giangreco. Best Life Holistic Magazine 2025 has also awarded him Coach of the Year for 2025.
Sir James has a wide variety of work/life experiences, including restaurateur, cattle rancher, horse trainer, substance abuse counselor, treatment center director, energy healer, bodyguard, legal counselor for several international spiritual organizations, golfer, and marathon runner. He graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School in 1971, Davidson College in 1975, and Wake Forest University School of Law in 1978.
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