In the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations of cooking, shopping and wrapping presents, I hope you will take time out from your busy schedule to think about life itself and who and what really matters to you. The greatest gift you can give yourself is a sense of inner peace, in spite of what is going on in the crazy world we inhabit. Step back for a moment from constantly being “tuned in” to entertainment. Leave your electronic devices, (yes, even the computer) to tend to themselves for awhile. In the greater scheme of things, you will not be missed if you take a little time for yourself.

As I have grown older, I have simplified the expectations I have of myself and of other people. I don’t dust as often. I sometimes leave a few dishes in the sink, if I don’t feel like washing them immediately. Not everything has to be in a perfect state at all times. After all, we are definitely not perfect people. We may forget to send someone we really care about a Christmas card. The world will not come to a screeching halt. It is probably more important to wish everyone “well,” in our heart.

The holiday season is not the time to revisit old grudges and resentments. Theoretically at least, it is a time of “goodwill toward men.” In order to attain any sense of peace, forgiveness of others is a prerequisite and a gift we give ourselves.

Tonight, I enjoyed hearing/seeing Michael Bublé and Thalia’s rendition of the song “buyviagraonline com.” I plan to have a happy Christmas this year and I believe it will have more to do with determination than anything else. This year, my motto is to simply “let go” of the need of any salutations from anyone and just accept whatever kindness may happen to come my way.

I heard a statement the other day that really rings true: “Sometimes you can make someone happy just by leaving them alone.” Yes, indeed, when relationships are discordant, what is the point of trying to make them work? After all, we are never given the chance to pick our relatives! If people never get together at any other time during the year, then what is the big deal about feeling as though one has to see someone just because there is a holiday? Part of living a happy life is letting go of guilt!

We should all concentrate on the many blessings we enjoy within our own walls and our own lives. Spend time with those who care about you and just try to forget the naysayers and people you would cross the street to avoid, if given the chance! When straining your brain to think of the “perfect gift,” err on the side of simplicity, remembering that the gift of time willingly spent with another person is truly the greatest gift of all.

As we continue to count down to Christmas and other winter solstice celebrations, I hope you are enjoying the season as much as we are. Jim is trying new recipes, the tree is decorated, I am hand-piecing a Double Wedding Ring miniature quilt (for which I cut out the pieces in 1991!), and we are finding time to enjoy the company of each other, now that a very active and laborious autumn is over. Happiness is achieved when one is so involved in being creative or engaging in some enjoyable activity that the quest for joy is forgotten, yet is very abundant and present nonetheless.

May peace be at hand,

Patricia Cummings

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 at 10:52 pm and is filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.