We are in the midst of the holiday season. In the past, this was the worst time of year for me. This was the time of the year that I put great expectations on myself so that, in my mind, I would experience the perfect Christmas.
I had to do the shopping. I had to decorate the house. I had to bake the myriad varieties of Christmas cookies. I had to send Christmas cards.I had to wrap the gifts and I had to decorate the Christmas tree. I had to DO IT ALL! And I had to do it...by myself! Somehow I thought, by getting ready for the "most wonderful time of the year", by myself, then I would have the satisfaction and fulfillment of my accomplishments. And then, I could be merry.
The problem was, as you might have guessed, that I wasn't merry, or happy, or even fulfilled. I was stressed, frustrated, angry and exhausted! By Christmas day, I was ready to crawl into bed and stay there until New Years Eve!
As I look back, I realized that by doing everything myself, I created my own isolated state and sacrificed my well being. I was depressed! I had forgotten the true meaning and spirit of Christmas! I had forgotten the true meaning of why we celebrate the birth of Christ. Christ brought to us the birth of a new awakening of consciousness and new awareness within each of us. Jesus Christ brought to us the awakening of the Christ... within each of us.
The true spirit of Christmas is about seeing each other with love. The true spirit of Christmas is about seeing each other with compassion. The true spirit of Christmas is about seeing each other with gratitude. the true spirit of Christmas is about seeing each other with forgiveness.
The spirit of Christmas is about celebrating the joy of abundance! The joy of gift giving (with no strings attached), is the celebration of abundance! The joy of a holiday feast is the celebration of abundance! The joy of sharing the feast with family and good times with family and friends is the celebration of abundance!
And now that I'm aware of the true spirit of Christmas, the holiday season has become more relaxed, more peaceful, and yes, more fun! And I also became aware that this is a feeling that can be celebrated each and every day.
When we see ourselves with love, joy, compassion, forgiveness, gratitude and abundance, then our lives becomes a celebration. When we see each other with love,
compassion, joy, gratitude, forgiveness and abundance, then each day becomes a gift.
Each day becomes a gift... of miracles.
I wish the spirit of Christmas be with you during this holiday season and each and every day!
I had to do the shopping. I had to decorate the house. I had to bake the myriad varieties of Christmas cookies. I had to send Christmas cards.I had to wrap the gifts and I had to decorate the Christmas tree. I had to DO IT ALL! And I had to do it...by myself! Somehow I thought, by getting ready for the "most wonderful time of the year", by myself, then I would have the satisfaction and fulfillment of my accomplishments. And then, I could be merry.
The problem was, as you might have guessed, that I wasn't merry, or happy, or even fulfilled. I was stressed, frustrated, angry and exhausted! By Christmas day, I was ready to crawl into bed and stay there until New Years Eve!
As I look back, I realized that by doing everything myself, I created my own isolated state and sacrificed my well being. I was depressed! I had forgotten the true meaning and spirit of Christmas! I had forgotten the true meaning of why we celebrate the birth of Christ. Christ brought to us the birth of a new awakening of consciousness and new awareness within each of us. Jesus Christ brought to us the awakening of the Christ... within each of us.
The true spirit of Christmas is about seeing each other with love. The true spirit of Christmas is about seeing each other with compassion. The true spirit of Christmas is about seeing each other with gratitude. the true spirit of Christmas is about seeing each other with forgiveness.
The spirit of Christmas is about celebrating the joy of abundance! The joy of gift giving (with no strings attached), is the celebration of abundance! The joy of a holiday feast is the celebration of abundance! The joy of sharing the feast with family and good times with family and friends is the celebration of abundance!
And now that I'm aware of the true spirit of Christmas, the holiday season has become more relaxed, more peaceful, and yes, more fun! And I also became aware that this is a feeling that can be celebrated each and every day.
When we see ourselves with love, joy, compassion, forgiveness, gratitude and abundance, then our lives becomes a celebration. When we see each other with love,
compassion, joy, gratitude, forgiveness and abundance, then each day becomes a gift.
Each day becomes a gift... of miracles.
I wish the spirit of Christmas be with you during this holiday season and each and every day!
3 comments:
Very inspiring, Danette. I related to much of the telling of your earlier Christmases, but not to all that work you did! I do find most of the everyday things I used to not enjoy doing at all, now I am actively choosing to do, and the attitude change amazes me when I think back. Like you, I was setting myself up for a letdown--not fun anymore! Happy New Year
Thanks for sharing, Miracle Troubadour! Awareness is everything! I must confess, once I was made aware that Santa Clause was a fairy tale, my attitude toward Christmas went downhill fast! lol! I believe that I was always trying to relive that childhood magic and no matter how hard I tried, Christmas never lived up to my expectations. Here's another Christmas post from 2016 about letting go of that inner child and my shifting to finding the Christ within.
http://healerdealerdiary.blogspot.com/2015/12/depression-chronic-illness-true-meaning.html
Thanks, Danette. I couldn't agree more! I just dread Christmas with all the hustle and bustle, and every year I get a little slower and more reluctant about fulfilling all the obligations, and I notice that my friends are sending me Christmas cards later and later, too. The only good thing about Christmas Eve is participating in our 11:00 church service. Driving home at midnight, everything is calm and still, and for a few brief minutes, I soak in the peace and quiet of it all.
I have asked my relatives to please donate to the charity of their choice, instead of gifts. I am awash in STUFF, I don't need anymore. Only one of them has taken me seriously, unfortunately.
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