Meandering thoughts on this holiday time of year:
It is that season. The time of year when the crunch is on…when I always hope I can “catch” the Christmas spirit, as a sort of half Christian, half Jewish in heritage, and practicing mystic and metaphysician. Those precious weeks and days just before Christmas mean that life becomes somehow magical to me….In my house growing up we had the menorah with its little candles each night of Hannukah, sitting next to the Xmas tree, which usually my father bought on Christmas eve day, as a ritual we all shared in our family tradition. The anticipation of where and when we’d haul in the car and drive to the best lot to pick the finest tree was something that binded our family of girls together. That sweet family ritual is something that I miss, as an older woman who lives far from family and whose parents are long gone.
I just read a Christmas post from a wonderful writer at www.carolinesplaceonline.com; she writes about the wonders of childhood that carry into adult beliefs. SHE, of all things, still believes in Santa Claus. You should read her spin.
This is a tough season for many. In my practice in Los Angeles, (yes, I’ve moved OFF the mountains and have a new location in West LA for in person and still do telephone for everyone else) I talk to many couples and singles, all of whom find this one of the most emotionally, and financially, challenging times of the year. Why? Perhaps because we are pushed so frenetically into spending so early and so hard. Perhaps because we feel so pressured to do it right—finding the right things to say to estranged loved ones or relatives, make the “perfect” image as a family/couple/person, picking the right presents to give, even when our heart isn’t into it. It triggers even the strongest among us to be sad, missing something, tired and overstuffed with foods and libations we never imbibe or taste (and in such quantity), feeling that we’re not good enough, keeping up with the sense that others are doing/giving/being moe during the season.
It’s also that grim time of year in Northern Hemisphere (the top parts) when the leaves have fallen, the days are short and night falls in the afternoon (!), and it looks dull, brittle and dead outside the windows. I always remember this as my typical November feeling, even though it’s December, waiting for the first fresh white coating of snow. Now THAT was always magical to me.
It IS the season of giving. That was its original intent. To be a time of generating love, a verb not a noun, and sending it out to the world. Even though I am not a Jesus-worshiping Christian, I am a Jesus admirer. I love that he as a realized being and enduring symbol represents forgiveness, peace, healing and love. Jesus is a symbol that embodies all of the good qualities of humanity.
In this season, I hope you can tap into the goodness within yourself, reach out and help someone who has less than you, and give give give of yourself. It doesn’t have to be expensive gifts. It can be a smile, putting coins in the meter, letting someone get into the car lane ahead and grinning, making your own holiday cards or gifts, sending a pie to a homebound neighbor, taking the time to pick up the phone and reconnect with old and dear friends, spend time with children who believe in the power of Santa Claus, send money to your favorite charity ( I send to Planned Parenthood, SIECUS, AASECT and organizations that are working on solving the crisis of global warming), volunteer in a soup kitchen, whatever….and be sure to keep yourself in balance and let it snow in your world.
Happy Holidays and may joy snow all around you during this magical season of love.
Dr. Patti