Monday, December 13, 2010

A Sense of the Season

***Alright, enough of what we shouldn't eat and do!  Its holiday time for goodness sake!  (My husband will be glad to hear that!)   Its time to celebrate the season.
***The ancient peoples of the Earth were pretty smart.  Right smack in the middle of the bleakness of Winter, in the coldest of short days and the darkness of long moonless nights is an oasis.  Lovingly and benevolently placed in the doldrums of the Solstice (at least in the northern hemisphere) is Christmas, birth of hope; Hannukkah, the festival of lights; Eid al Adha, festival of sharing;  Bohdi Day, Buddhist day of enlightenment; Diwali, India's festival of Lights and Mardi Gras (12th Night) celebrated in Rio and New Orleans, La.  They must have wisely known the value of distracting oneself from what's missing, what's grey and lifeless as cloudy skies over brown curled up corn husks.  If you focus on Wintry woes you go there.
***So light the candles!  Let's savor the season and take note of every juicy detail of joy we can squeeze out of the moment.  Let's devour chocolate (dark is best for you!), and revel in it's
decadent comfort.  Let peppermint awaken your sense of wonder as it chills your nose and plays upon your tongue.  Notice the sparkling diamonds in the snow and how beautiful bright red cardinals look against pine boughs.  Breathe in the sweet scent of cinnamon, bayberry,
evergreen wreaths and Mom's sumptuous holiday feast.  Break out the bubbly and delight as the bubbles tingle your nose.  Listen to the crackling of a fireplace log, the squeaky crunch of snow beneath your boot and the muffled sounds of a moonlit fresh-fallen snowy night.
***Its easy to lose our Greater Selves in the rubble of wrapping paper, rambunctuous kids and kitchen prep.  If you remember to breathe you'll restore your balance (and sanity). In the spirit of giving give this to yourself.  A moment of focus is like a big fat mistletoe kiss to your Spirit!
***This season, join me in childhood awe.  What makes your heart sing?  What turns you inside out?  What makes you feel as though you're about to burst?  Taste the deliciousness of that thought.  Keep it close.  Make it your default setting as you go... dashing thru the mall, with the one last gift, hurray!  On the bills we'll stall, laughing all the way! ( I couldn't resist!)
***Keep it Festive, reminisce with family, pet your dog or cat, daydream over hot chocolate and enjoy the harmony of carols.  Bake cookies with children and let them show you how unfettered silliness and giggling restores the Soul.  Taste, inhale,observe the fun.  From our backyard to yours, have a Blessed time!