Lifting the Holiday Spirit

Self care is always a good idea during holiday season.

We know that taking care of our bodies, minds, and spirits can allow for a more positive time. However, it’s very easy to fall into any number of “potholes”(stress, to do list, etc.). When we focus exclusively on the “pothole(s)”, we squeeze out life, joy, and fun. The holidays start feeling like “a race to the finish line”.

So, this got me to thinking: How do I stay in my bliss during this time instead of my aggravation? How do I remember to breathe, drink lots of water, get plenty of rest — there I go again, another list …

So, let’s reframe.

How do I renew myself on a daily basis — holidays or not? Rejuvenation can come in unexpected ways. Yesterday, it showed up on my walk to the neighborhood Italian market with my 11 yr. old Cocker Spaniel, Spirit. Just uttering the word ‘market’ mobilizes my little guy like nothing else. Why? He knows that a luscious treat (meat of some sort) awaits him.

Sitting at attention near the market entrance, in plain view of the meat counter, Spirit begins to tzitter — shake with delicious anticipation. His excitement is so palpable that anyone entering the market comments or laughs about my little guy’s glee at just being at the market.

After he inhales his treat, he’s good to go for the entire trip home. Wagging tale, bounce in his step, and a huge smile on his lips — Spirit is the picture of pure bliss in motion. Just watching and being with him makes me so happy. Experiencing Spirit’s joy of simple pleasures, I want to feel like he feels — tzitter, or shake with delicious anticipation on a daily basis.

To capture that tzittering feeling, my mind returns to past family and friend gatherings that held such joy and fun.

But I don’t just think about it, I step into the experience with all my senses and see, feel, taste the gatherings with my whole being. I notice and feel everything — the lighting, love, laughter, play, being in each other’s company.

Baubie Jenny, Zadie Sam, Mom, Dad, my brother, sister, cousins — luxuriating in time together. Makes no difference that many of my Beloved Relatives are no longer here. Because when I step into this holographic experience, everyone is together in time and space. No Limits. Smells, sights, and sounds crystalize with such clarity.

I can honor my Beloved Relatives who have made their transitions and experience all those special ingredients of past gatherings by being present with the Beloveds I recognize as family now. Over the past four years, I’m usually in Omaha during some part of the holiday season. An ongoing ritual is to reconnect with family and friends, share life, laughter, noshes, and stories — and delight in life together.

Also, offering Card Readings during my time at home allows me to connect with all of you who want to get a new perspective on life. You have become part of my extended family. We see each other over time and experience the challenges, celebrate the triumphs, share new optimism and possibility and, together, traverse the landscapes of our lives. I feel so honored and blessed to witness each of you in your own Hero’s Journey.

In retrospect, the hologram I created in my own personal space becomes a four dimensional reality. Being in Omaha over the holidays or anytime grounds me in my roots and brings me great gladness. Wherever I find myself, the holidays offer a wonderful opportunity to immerse myself in staying present, living the joy of simple pleasures, and emulating my Cocker Spaniel, Spirit’s tzittering anticipation of “a plain good time” as my Mom used to say. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

Happy Holidays!