Storytelling sometimes touches a chord in us that awakens a new awareness or epiphany. It may be a light into deeper understanding of self or the world, or maybe a perspective of how to truly appreciate life and love. One of my favourite Christmas stories is O'Henry's "The Gift of the Magi", where newlyweds Jim and Delia get a powerful look into the nature of love and gift giving. Jim has a pocket watch with family history that he treasures. Delia has long beautiful hair that is her pride and joy. Come Christmas they are short of funds but each wants to give the other a special gift. So Jim sells his watch to buy beautiful combs for Delia’s hair, and Delia cuts and sells her hair to buy a watch fob worthy of Jim’s watch, and they both gain insight into what it truly valuable.
If we choose to focus on awakening rather than obligation this holiday season, perhaps we might catch one of those powerful glimpses into our own life. Taking time to observe allows us to see our own patterns in action. Perhaps we might notice a need for perfection or a tendency to use food or drink to deal with anxiety or discontent. Do we sacrifice self care and forego wise decisions to serve some belief about what we think life should be like at this time of year? Self care is especially important in this time of pandemic and we need to be careful what we sacrifice in the name of love. Perhaps we can consciously choose how to spend our time, maybe creating new beliefs and rituals of celebration. Take a moment of solitude in nature, schedule time for prayer or meditation or exercise, verbalize your love and appreciation to your beloveds, tell your favorite stories, or simply get outside in the midday sun.
Although winter is often portrayed as the season of dark and cold when things go dormant, the winter solstice offers us the lengthening of daylight, a reason to rejoice in nature's ongoing cycles. Celebrate whatever this season means to you in ways that care for you and your loved ones. Perhaps this is the holiday season that you chose to do less and enjoy more, or maybe you do more this year to bring more joy. Whatever your choices, make them wisely, like the Magi who chose to take a different route home after being warned of danger.
If we choose to focus on awakening rather than obligation this holiday season, perhaps we might catch one of those powerful glimpses into our own life. Taking time to observe allows us to see our own patterns in action. Perhaps we might notice a need for perfection or a tendency to use food or drink to deal with anxiety or discontent. Do we sacrifice self care and forego wise decisions to serve some belief about what we think life should be like at this time of year? Self care is especially important in this time of pandemic and we need to be careful what we sacrifice in the name of love. Perhaps we can consciously choose how to spend our time, maybe creating new beliefs and rituals of celebration. Take a moment of solitude in nature, schedule time for prayer or meditation or exercise, verbalize your love and appreciation to your beloveds, tell your favorite stories, or simply get outside in the midday sun.
Although winter is often portrayed as the season of dark and cold when things go dormant, the winter solstice offers us the lengthening of daylight, a reason to rejoice in nature's ongoing cycles. Celebrate whatever this season means to you in ways that care for you and your loved ones. Perhaps this is the holiday season that you chose to do less and enjoy more, or maybe you do more this year to bring more joy. Whatever your choices, make them wisely, like the Magi who chose to take a different route home after being warned of danger.
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