December 2006
Holidays lift up our spirits. Our human
hearts swell with thankfulness. We feel new appreciation for our lives and for
the people we love. Gifts are planned, thoughtful expressions of love. Decorations
and lights go up to deck the halls. Holiday magic begins to happen. Bells ring
and carolers sing. We hear from folks far away. We extend ourselves to others
and open our purses for the poor. We seek to cheer the melancholy and comfort
the lonely.
Snowy December days such as these are excellent days to put off the chores.
Declare a "snow day." Being safe indoors on a frigid day can bring
rich blessings along with the cold. Snuggling with our kids and sweethearts,
cuddling with our pets; the cold gives us a chance to get closer to the ones
we love. Smells from a warm hearth - hot cocoa, hot cider with cinnamon sticks,
sweet bread, roasts, soup - fill the air deliciously. Mmm! Nostalgia warms our
spirits as well as our homes. These simple pleasures can get lost in the rushing
about of fair weather days.
Picture the gardens peacefully sleeping away the cold season as a good garden
should and relax. Stay in your pajamas. Read a good book. Bake cookies. Sit
in a sunny window and take in the view. Don't get busy with work. Don't drive
the car; bundle up and stroll about your neighborhood. Be here in this moment…
now. Breathe deeply. Reconnect with nature. Reconnect with yourself and those
you love. We all need time to just sit and take note of ourselves and our life.
Meditation is always good for us. Contemplating our lives, our purposeful efforts
and finding our place in the world is time well spent. Taking advantage of winter's
weather to stay home is a very sane act.
I call it "living the good life" when I can step outside of my routines
and schedules to free up time for what is truly important about being alive.
Makes me want to hug my kids just thinking about it.
So take time for precious memories and thoughtfulness about simply being alive.
Love feels deeper and life more meaningful... wondrous and beautiful, especially
this time of season. Transcend your ordinarily busy life. Take care of yourself
and your loved ones. Be forgiving of yourself and others. Take some of that
peace and love and spread it around.
Blessings to you and everyone!
Becky the gardener