It’s a phrase we often hear at this time of year, but are we really experiencing it? We may simply be wondering how we’ll get everything done with all of the extra tasks on our “to do” list. But if we’re clever, we’ll notice there really is time to savor what the season has to offer us. It may just take a shift in perspective.
What if… we began to regard the holiday season as an invitation to do less, not more. What if we remembered that holidays are an invitation to step out of our routines, an invitation to experience life differently… a time to celebrate life and the wonder of it all. If we could shift our focus to “what” we are celebrating instead of “how” we are celebrating, we open ourselves again to the wonder of the season.
It seems that for many of us, holiday celebrations are simply a checklist of things to be done… buy the gifts, bake the cookies, send the cards, decorate the tree, …. too many things to do! It’s understandable and yet, we need to realize that approach is a choice we make.
What if… instead of working harder, creating overwhelm and stress, we began to see the holiday season as an opportunity to pause… and WONDER. Can we choose to pause long enough to admire the brilliance of the lights, appreciate the children singing, and feel connected to one another? Might our spirits be lifted? Might we actually experience the awe that the season inspires? Perhaps, we even allow the stress to melt away and let our hearts be lifted with joy.
Amid the holiday hustle and bustle, at least here in the northern hemisphere, there is a natural quieting of winter. Softer light, fewer daylight hours, silent snowfall… all of these invite us to quiet, pause and wonder.
Our intention is to learn to thrive in the midst of holiday chaos by finding moments of wonder and awe. We invite you to join us by creating some of these moments for yourself.
Let’s savor the season of wonder.
Barb and Mary
December 2018
Thank you for the reminder
Since human religions—and secular beliefs—account for much of our human attitudes and behavior, it seems worthwhile to examine why. Consider these thoughts:
• What is the meaning of existence? Why are there pain and death? What is life really all about and what is its object? Why not live for maximum personal gratification?
• These are not just questions that people ask after they have managed (or failed) to achieve their goals.
• But these questions drive our behavior daily in our careers, professions, and family matters.
• And they unconsciously control our attitudes and behavior toward other people.
Yet, remember the conversions that near-death survivors bring back from “visiting Heaven”:
• Much greater appreciation for life itself.
• Deeper sense of wonder and gratitude about living.
• Greater self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Compassion and understanding for everyone.
• Stronger reverence for life in all of its forms.
• Disavowal of competitive and materialistic pressures.
• Caring and concern for others.
• Personal certainty about the existence of God.
• No longer fear death.
Each of our 7-8 billion inhabitants on Planet Earth is born with a characteristic we all share at that time: authenticity. But as adults we have lost that, as we grow up asking the first set of questions.
Think about it for 2019, as we all yearn for a more peaceful world.
Thank you, Bill, for your insight and for prompting all of us to remember the big questions! Indeed it will take each of us focusing on a bigger perspective to create the peaceful world we all yearn for. Blessings to you ~
Oh so true. Let us join in a time of refreshment and wonder of the season we are experiencing. I look forward to creating my own and in so create an opportunity for others to create theirs.
Thanks Gary. I love your perspective on creating the space for others as well. Beautiful!
I like the idea of slowing to pause, rather than gearing up to rush. Time to just breath and enjoy the season 🎄.
Thanks Cecily. We hope you find many such moments in the weeks ahead!