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Without fail, the holidays always drop off a package of deep and honest reflections.
I suppose it’s not terribly different than the rest of the year, as I’m always looking at things from one perspective and then another, but the world around us is different during the holidays. Emotions on either side of the spectrum are heightened and felt just a little more intensely. Memories simultaneously poke at the joys and sorrows. We are reminded of what we have, and what we have lost in our lives. We are flooded with resolutions to achieve a “better you” in the new year. Squals of commercials and flash-sales to give give give surround us. We are tugged and pulled at every seam. So today, I’m writing you a free pass to cut yourself a little slack and breathe. In fact, that’s what I’m doing. I’m stitching and mending and reinforcing those seams, preparing myself for all of the wondrous things that are in store for the next year. I will not begin to whittle it down into a list of things that I will accomplish or achieve, goals to conquer or missions on which to set forth… I will, however, unlock the latch and open the door to all of the amazing things that exist beyond my wildest dreams. Until then, here are a few of my recent morning reflections.
“Why do you get up SO early?”
Why? That’s easy. This. This is why: I need time with the day before she begins. I need peace and warm light in darkness. I need the clank and taps of the heat coming on, the train whistle calling, and the sound of silence (hat tip, Simon & Garfunkle). I need the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the warmth I feel with my hands wrapped around my favorite hand-thrown mug. I need time to be grateful. I need time to set my intentions for the day. I need time to wake not just my body, but my soul. Yep. I need all of that more than an extra hour of sleep in the morning. Soon, the house will buzz with “getting ready” energy, and the sun will find her way to the horizon line, but for now, it’s just me. Don’t forget to visit with yourself once and again.
“Wait… what do you mean it’s Christmas Eve?! It can’t be Christmas Eve??? It is absolutely 110% IMPOSSIBLE that TODAY IS CHRISTMAS EVE! I’m still finding glitter from Halloween. Did we even HAVE Thanksgiving this year??? I blinked and tomorrow is Christmas!”
I know *exactly* how you feel, Santa Cat-Bear-Mouse. In the past, I feel like I’ve done a better job at savoring the holidays and fully living in the moments and traditions. I can use journal entries and photos as a reference, but the pace of life this past year has moved too quickly for my liking. Rushing from one thing to another, one moment spins right into the next without a breath or pause to properly take it in and absorb it. I am getting back into my quiet morning routines, but the way that Christmas Eve came barreling through the door this morning, seemingly out of nowhere but perfectly on time, was an excellent reminder for me that I’m driving this thing (a.k.a. my life) and I’m saying to myself, “Hey, you. Slow the hell down. This is not a race. You get absolutely zero bonus points for rushing through life. In fact, this very place that you are driving through, this moment and place in time, this is your one and only chance to see it. You don’t get to make a U-turn. You don’t get to turn around and do it all over again. This. Is. It. Slow down. Stop at the scenic views. Send postcards. Take the exit and visit friends and loved ones. Be present. Live life, don’t just rush through it.” Yeah, I needed the reminder. Thanks, Santa Cat-Bear-Mouse.
“You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.” – Pema Chödrön
It’s funny how you can look at the same thing every single day, and each day it looks different. I think of the quote from Pema Chödrön when I look at the scene from the parking garage of my office building. I look for the light in the scene each and every time. On a clear and bright day, the towers reflect all of the blue sky and brightness around it. However, when the brightness of the sun is clouded over, or as she ducks behind the western horizon, that’s when it’s really magical. The light from within begins to glow. Same wattage. Same light fixtures. Same towers, but depending upon what’s going on all around it, it looks different, doesn’t it? I think about that, and the internal light that we each carry around. Maybe the reason to keep it lit all of the time is not so much because we are afraid of the dark, but because another needs to be reminded that there is always light to be found? We ARE the sky, and even on the darkest night, the stars shine bright. Yes, clouds and cubicle walls may try to block the light from reaching us during the day or night… but are never truly in the dark. We carry the light within us. Always. Be the sky, full of predictable patterns and ever-changing weather… but always, always full of light.
Beautifully said Kelly!
Good evening! !
It is 9:30 PM on 30th Japan time now.
It is the custom of Japan’s year end.
In the year end, we say “Yoi otoshi wo” to each other wishing for the coming
year to be pleasurable.
The New Year season is the most significant season for the Japanese.
All the Christmas décor is switched to the New Year’s in a blink.
Major New Year icons are the pine tree, bamboo, plums and so on. All of them are symbols of good fortune and longevity.