The Most Wonderful ? Time of the Year

The parking lots are full.  The grocery store has people roaming the aisles looking for ingredients they only buy once a year.  The work doesn't stop at home or in the office.  In Minnesota, we have a snowstorm brewing.  It's December holiday time.  I am torn between the normal things that have to go on, like going to urgent care and knocking this sinusitis out--and the Christmas things I'd like to be doing.

I am hearing Christmas carols that sing "it's the most wonderful time of the year."  Hmm.. Maybe... for some people.  It depends how you define "wonderful" I guess.  What if it isn't "wonderful" at all?  What if this time of year is bringing up a lot of grief and family stress and sadness?  That's not wonderful.  My college friend of 30 years just lost her husband to pancreatic cancer.  Six weeks from diagnosis to death.  She cannot wait for this "wonderful" time to be over.  On the other hand, my 80 year old dad who has never been sick a day in his life just had surgery for pancreatic cancer.  He wouldn't let any of his five children even know about it until it was over!  He said he is looking forward to the masters golf tournament at his club in the spring.  He is the senior golf champ.  Hmm.   He'd just like to be able to get out of a chair and into a bed on his own. 

It's not all gloom, though.  I personally enjoy a little of the hustle and bustle when I don't have to "do" anything.  I can go out and see people in a good mood mostly.  I like the lights, my tree, the decorations, the music.  I loved Christmases when my girls were little.  Seeing them light up at all the excitement was pure joy.  I can recall a last minute gift of a $10 cardboard box at Target that you assemble to make a house.  Lilia and Natalie loved that last minute gift more than any other.  Coloring it, getting in it.  Simple pleasure.

My girls are 19 and 16 now.  They want money and gift cards.  Things have changed.  Now, my favorite week of the year is between Christmas and New Years.  It is the week that stands still.  Expectations for gifts, entertaining, meals and pleasing the family are finished.  Fewer people are working.  It's a quasi-vacation week where not much is expected, and the world goes into slow motion.

No matter what time of year it is, life goes on.  The sun will surely rise and set again today, and we rise with it.  If this is a great time of year for you and your family, then you are making the most of all of it.  You should.  If, on the other hand, you are facing a challenging time, you are doing what you can to get through it.  And you don't need to make any excuses. 

Let your gaze go down and inward, as we say in yoga.  Look into your heart and see what its true desire is.  Whether it is for fun and festivities and packages under the tree, or whether it is for giving to others who have far less, or whether it is for finding a balance between the commercialism of the season and the true meaning of giving.  When we live based on what the heart has to say, we find more happiness and balance.  This can only be good for our health and wellness.  When we are happier, we want more good things for ourselves and others.  When we are listening to what the heart says, it is far more likely that our intentions and our actions are aligned.

Think.  Feel.  Do.  First we think something is a certain way.  Then we feel that it is a certain way.  Then we act on that feeling.  Perception is reality for everyone.  If this is a wonderful time for you because you have your family and friends around--then it is.  If this is a crazy time for you because of your family and friends--then it is. 

No matter what happens over this holiday time, come back to the treasure of what is in your heart.  It will guide you to make more choices that bring you more happiness.  It was there all along.