Dave Barry Christmas

In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank.  People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!'  or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!' 

 "Christmas Shopping:  A Survivor's Guide"

 ~Dave Barry,

If we respect our selves as well as others, this time of year can pass more pleasantly.  The name of a holiday does not matter, but our behavior does. We all are in need of loving kindness ... a time for giving and receiving.  

A dear friend of mine shared with me, "As a therapist, I see two kinds of clients.  One client comes into session sad and depressed as he/she is all alone and has no one to share the holidays.  The other client comes into session sad and depressed as his/her life is being over run by inappropriate family invasion."   

We all to some degree have unresolved family issues and experience frustration and disappointment.  We set our selves up by chanting, "This year will be different!"  Then the holidays repeat themselves and we wonder why our families just don't 'get us'!

The holiday season is an opportunity to put into place all of the learned experiences from within the year.  When we are forced to attend gatherings and resent out grown obligations, we must stand firm in honoring our newly found boundaries with self-respect and firmness.  If we do not treat our selves with respect, why should any one else? 

During Christmas, fear can gain momentum as we are pulled out of our 'source', away from Spirit or Divine, and into materialism, disingenuous conversations, and illusions.  Like air leaking from a balloon, our spiritual center can slowly evaporate.

Each day, we must invite Divine Spirit to come into our hearts, to remain alive within us, and to radiate from our souls.  Every night, we must be thankful and grateful for all experiences in our lives.