Monday, December 17, 2012

Holiday Memories

 
 
Tis the Season! The hustle and bustle of the season is now in full swing. The celebrations have begun, the decorations are in place, arrangements for the perfect gift completed while the "big day" menu is rechecked for the last minute preparations.
 
While preparing there were many holiday memories dancing in my head. These memories ranged from childhood to as recent as last year. I am still amazed at the memory of my childhood Christmas's and my parents preparations for Christmas morning. My brother and I would go to sleep on the evening of Dec 24th with the home looking as it always did, nothing special. We would wake up so early the next morning so excited to see if we were naughty or nice! My mom would gather the two of us up and have us wait in the hall, as my dad was getting his camera ready for the big moment.
 
Finally we were allowed to enter the living room to which the wonderment of the season was revealed. The living room was decorated and in the corner was the biggest tree ever seen by a small child. The tree decorated with the lights to reveal presents under the tree. I guess my brother and I had been "nice" all year! This unveiling of the holiday celebration lasted for many years.
 
As an adult, I can't even imagine how exhausted my parents must have been yet they never showed it. To think that in a few short hours the two of them transformed our normal home into a holiday extravaganza. I've often wondered where in the world they hid the tree and when did all the wrapping and hiding of the presents take place. A memory that brings back warmth, love and the appreciation for their giving us memories that have lasted throughout time.
 
This season, each action, thought, activity and interaction with others is creating a memory for later recall. Though the season can be a vast array of emotions and yes, at times stressful. It is this time of year that has all the possibilities of creating the most cherished moments that may last a lifetime.
 
Time for me now to suggest some ideas in making some beautiful memories that may have additional positive impact for entering 2013.
 
 
~ Each day give Gratitude - could be as simple as Gratitude for the day
~ Give of yourself- as you go about your day, if there is an opportunity to help someone - do it
~ Invite a neighbor or a friend that you may have been neglecting over for the holidays or make a call
~ Set aside Judgement- each of us have "our way" of doing things - focus on the person not the action
~ Perfection be gone- yes each of us want a perfect setting, dinner, event but sometimes it is in the imperfections that the best memories can be made. Remember, only you will know if it's not perfect.
~ Be Open to Inclusion- allow others to help in preparation; it might be exactly what they need
~ Sometimes it is the littest actions, the smallest of gestures that make the greatest impact
~ Celebrate- there are so many things to be grateful for this year and to look forward to in 2013
 
Though each day is an opportunity for each of us, there is something magical about this time of year. A time when the seemly impossible becomes possible with the opportunity to open or to soften our hearts, either for ourselves or toward others.
 
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love! ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

My wish for each of you is to enjoy this season and be open to all the possibilities that you so deserve. May you enjoy all that you have planned and also all that may be unexpected as that may be where the best memories are found.





 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 




Thursday, December 6, 2012

The Warmth of Control

Sometimes the simplest and most common activities trigger something deep inside of us. This could be an aha moment for a solution to situation, answer to a lingering question or perhaps a creative moment that for a small millisecond everything becomes clear.

This recently happened for me while taking a hot steamy shower. There was nothing significant about the morning routine. Especially the part about stepping into the shower and continuing to turn the hot water faucet to hotter as my body adapted to the temperature. See, I love hot steamy showers, the kind that where the temperature of the water penetrates the heat deep inside. The temperature that when drying off, notice the redness that the water left behind. Yes, I do know that this temperature is not ideal for skin reasons.
But, I like it, it helps me to energize and quite frankly it just feels good.

So moisturizer don't let me down now~!
 
Why did a steamy shower compel me to finally post a blog after months of being focused on the final edits of my new book coming out the first quarter of 2013?  Interesting both are connected: Change

See for me, a steamy hot shower is so soothing for many reasons. Got to thinking how hot steamy shower and change are similar. The comfortablity of present delays us from making changes that are necessary for many reasons. The steamy hot shower is comfortable and soothing....Hot water lasts for a period of time before the cold jolts us, just like change jolts us. The key is to enjoy and exit before the jolt takes hold.

So what exactly does this mean? Perhaps all too often the comfort of our every day lives takes precedence over seeing or not wanting to see the changes happening around or what needs to change. The warm cozy feeling of our every day lives, like the hot shower, invokes a sense of safe space.
 
Safe is beautiful however if change is swirling around, taking control and meeting it head on is so much better than a jolt that could potentially spiral out of control.
 
Time for me now to encourage awareness and to always enjoying the warmth and comfort of living.