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Notes from the Payroll Prof
by Roger A. Smith, CPP & Payroll Consultant
Happy Holy Days
I’d like to thank WorkForce Software for providing me a forum to discuss payroll and related issues with you the last several months. I hope to do more of the same in 2008. It’s been said that you should never discuss religion or politics in a business environment – well, WorkForce Software has generously agreed to allow me to do a little of both this month
This is a beautiful time of the year. As I write this in late November, snow is on the ground here in Michigan. My neighbors are decorating their houses – I’d better get to that this week-end – and the stores are well-stocked and ready for the season! The colorful lights and decorations greet shoppers looking for presents for their loved ones. Holiday music plays on loudspeakers, both indoors and out. People seem to be in generally festive moods.
It’s a special time of year around the world. The ancient cultures celebrated the winter solstice in a variety of ways including bonfires and animal sacrifices. Today, the Chinese celebrate Dongzhi on the winter solstice. Based on the Yin and Yang philosophy of balance and harmony in the cosmos, the holiday celebrates the fact that there will soon be days with longer daylight hours and therefore an increase in positive energy flowing in. Followers of Judaism celebrate Hanukkah (the festival of lights, celebrating the re-kindling of the Temple menorah at the time of the Maccabee rebellion) on December 5 this year. Muslims celebrate Dhul Hijja, a four-day holiday commemorating the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael starting December 20 this year. Iranians celebrate Jashn-e Sadeh, which recalls the importance of light, fire and energy; light which comes from God is found in the hearts of his creatures. Bodhi Day, traditionally December 8th, is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha experienced enlightenment. Many African-Americans celebrate Kwanzaa (founded by Ron Karenga to observe “The Seven Principles of Blackness") on December 26. Christians have no less than 15 holy days in December and January. In addition to Christmas (December 25 – celebrating the birth of Christ) many Christians celebrate holy days including Saint Nicholas’ Day (December 6), Saint Stephen’s Day (December 26), Saint Sylvester’s Day (December 31) and Epiphany (January 6). According to Wikipedia, there are over 50 holy days or festivals celebrated around the world at this time of year. And, that doesn’t even include artificial holidays such as Festivus (popularized by the Seinfeld show) and Chrismahanukwanzakah (a modern-day merging of the holidays of Christianity's Christmas, Judaism's Hanukkah, and the African-American holiday of Kwanzaa).
Yet, with all these holy days, we see little “peace on earth” or “goodwill to men.” The news – whether it is on radio, television, newspapers, magazines, or the Internet – seems to be all about wars, conflicts, extreme politics, religious intolerance, layoffs, shutdowns, and corruption. Our questions loom large. Are we running out of oil? What damage have we done to the environment? What will the future bring? Is America competitive? Will we have good jobs in the future? We wonder if our political leaders, our business leaders, and even our religious leaders have the integrity and skills to lead the nation and the world.
However, there are signs of hope. The economy has always been a series of ups and downs. While there isn’t peace in the Middle East, there are encouraging signs. American justice, though not perfect, is improving its ability to punish the guilty and protect the innocent. Scientists and manufacturers are striving for ways to find new sources of energy as well as conserve our current sources. Some species of animals are coming back from near extinction. We’re learning that perhaps the global warming trend has more to do with nature, than it does with us.
In spite of all our problems, we are living in a time of plenty. We have more variety, and higher quality food, medicine, goods and services than ever before in history. We can travel the world by modern air and ground transportation, or virtually by the media and the Internet. Our lifestyle would be unfathomable to prior generations. Our role should be to do all that we can to ensure continued progress for future generations.
With indulgence from those who aren’t Christians, I’d like for you to consider these words of hope from the Christmas carol based on the poem "Christmas Bells," composed by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during our Civil War:
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”
Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Whatever Holy Days you celebrate, may you find peace on earth and goodwill among all. Have a wonderful holiday season and best wishes to you and your family for 2008.
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