NEW YEAR'S EVE

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us."

~ Hal Borland~

New Year's Eve is about looking back. A year is ending, and a new one dawns. What have been our victories, and what our defeats? How have we grown; who have we lost, and who have we loved?
     It's time for review and consideration; a time to acknowledge progress, and lessons learned. We close out a cycle and make peace with what has been, so that we can start fresh.
     New Year's Eve is all about remembering, but once we have aptly remembered, it's about letting go. It's closure and release; a tidying-up of loose ends and a sad and beautiful song about auld lang syne.

I thoughtfully consider the passing year in review, and then I let it go.

ALCOHOL-FREE LIVING

"If you know someone who tries to drown their sorrows, you might tell them sorrows know how to swim."

~ H. Jackson Brown Jr ~

 

Ten years ago today, I quit drinking, and it was both the hardest and the best decision I ever made. Life without alcohol is cleaner, and clearer, and free from the guilt and shame that used to cripple me. Life is life, so it's never easy, but living sober is the best kind of living I know.

 

I am grateful to be sober.

NO-MAN'S LAND

"The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears."

~ John Vance Cheney ~

 

This is a tricky time of year: the no-man's land between Christmas and New Years. Everything to do with Christmas feels stale and messy, and January first with all of its high hopes and expectations looms before us, urging us to do better with our lives.

     I feel a bit at a loss, like I'm supposed to be relaxing and enjoying my family, but everything feels discombobulated and out-of-sync. It's probably me and not necessarily the time of year. I'm a bit squirrely in my skin, and ready to return to the comfort of my beloved daily routines.

     But still, and as always, there are blessings to accompany my discomfort, and goodness and mercy as well. So I'll take it all, and let life just keep on coming, the way it always does, and welcome it, whatever it may bring.

 

I allow for the discomfort of the holiday season, as well as the joy.

THE DAY AFTER

"Keep your Christmas heart open all the year round."

~ Jessica Archmint ~

As we return to life and commerce, let's allow the best of Christmas to live on in us, and sustain us as we continue down the road. Anything else, let's make the decision to leave behind.

As I carry on with life past Christmas, I let only the love remain.

CHRISTMAS

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air,"

~ WT Ellis ~

The longer I live, the more I believe that Christmas is a feeling more than an event. It's bright with expectation and softly glowing with the simple reality of what is.
     We give what we can to those who matter in our lives, and we allow others to give to us. Christmas is a coming and a going and a being all at once. It's beautiful, but quick- widespread love and kindness that is over in a flash. So let's slow down, become present for the celebration, and enjoy every moment of the experience while it's still here.

I savor the day.

CHRISTMAS EVE

"Twas the night before Christmas..."
~ Clement Clarke Moore ~

 

No matter whether we're 5 or 65, Christmas Eve has a kind of special hopefulness about it. It is sweet, exciting, and sad all at the same time. We feel our losses magnified as well as our joys, but there is ever and always this tickling hope of what's to come, and the possibility of unexpected love and magic on Earth.

 

I bask in the emotional sea of Coming Christmas.

RECEIVING

"Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone."

~ GB Stern ~

In some ways, it's much easier to give than to receive, and yet, receiving is an art we must master, especially this time of year. Being gracious and appreciative of whatever we are given is important, because thoughtfulness and generosity of all kinds and in all ways deserves our recognition; and we are less entitled to goodness than we may think.
     So let's receive with sincerity and express out thanks for every kindness that is shown us, whether it be large, or small.

I lovingly receive what's given me, and feel the grace of genuine appreciation.