Can You Feel the Joy Rising?

Can you believe it…there are only 4 days until Christmas and I’m so ready! Thanksgiving leading into the Christmas holiday season is one of my favorite times of year, for so many reasons…

• * Listening to Donny Hathaway singing ‘This Christmas’ as we decorated the Christmas tree
• * Dragging my mom into the toy department, at Marshall Fields (now Macy’s) department store, on multiple occasions, to look at a doll house that I fell in love with and then getting it for Christmas.
• * Going to the tree farm to pick our Christmas tree and the smell of fresh pine
• * Reading a Christmas bedtime story to my son every night, ending on Christmas Eve with ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’
• * Baking and decorating cookies with my son for Santa
• * Capturing the look of my son’s face when he first comes down the stairs on Christmas morning
• * Watching all the vintage holidays specials like, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, and a new one, The Polar Express
• * Christmas dinner and Eggnog….yummmmm

My goodness, I can feel the joy rising as I write these words. And, I could go on-and-on but speaking of the reason for the season, there are so many ways in which to consciously make this a season to truly enjoy.

Take a look…

 So you see, the Spirit of Christmas reaches well beyond the day:

• * Take the time to tune in to the core of who your loved one’s truly are throughout the year. This way you can really plan to create something really special or shop during the year when you find ‘the thing’ you believe will resonate best with the person you have in mind.
• * Make plans to stay connected or re-connect with friends and family throughout the year by planning potluck dinners, gatherings, outings, or if distance is challenge, create a private blog and invite your family and friends to participate by writing updates and sharing pictures and family stories. Get creative! It could be a lot of fun and a wonderful way to stay connected.
• * Spend some time setting the intention to experience a good visit when traveling away from home. Meditation, visualization, and stating affirmations help tremendously.
• * Forgive someone. Forgiveness does not condone another’s behavior. It simply releases your energy from the past.
• * Practice compassion. Seek out ways to help others that are less fortune than yourself during this emotionally charged season of giving and receiving. The following are some organizations that you can check to find trustworthy charities to bless with your support through random acts of kindness:
• CharityNavigator.org
• WorldVision.org
• * Support a worthy cause that tugs at your heart strings. Here’s a cause that got my immediate attention and there is still time to give:
• Help Save Carol and Randy’s Home
• * Or, simply look for opportunities in your day-to-day exchange of energy to see where your help is needed, where you can contribute, whose life you could help make a bit more convenient, less lonely, or joyful in some small way.  A little energy can go a long way to someone in need.

Can you feel the joy rising?  I know I can! Wishing you all Happy Holidays! Happy Hanukkah, Happy Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas, and Happy Kwanza!!!

Yours in the true Spirit of Christmas,