After ChristmasI like to take time to reflecton the season
Because whether I like it or notMy Christmas's always becomea snapshot of my life season at the time.
This year I have the sumptuous luxury of timeto truly reflect.
Right off the batI know I am doing so much better this yearthan the last two years
because
I am actually writing about my reflections.
And boy am I grateful for feeling so much better!
That being saidI still had a slow start to the Spirit of Christmas this year.
I kept feeling like I just couldn't get therethe first week back from our travels.Until I realized
I was putting so much energy into trying to outrun my heart holes.
Holes likemissing my mother.It's the second Christmas without her.This year her departure felt so much more real.
Holes like committed to his estrangement from our family.
Even changing traditions of our family time togetherseemed to cause a hole.
Once I realized the sources of my sadnessesI felt more empoweredto Make An Emotional Plan!
By just taking the time torealize the sourceof my sad emotions
and
feel theminstead of trying to franticly outrun them
I could take a deep breathand
Make an Emotional Plan.
I literally decided to give myselftwo hourstwo days in a rowto literally feel the feelings.
To acknowledgethat sometimes Life Hurts.
It can happen to everyone at one time or another.
The Holidayscan literally bringthose feelings front and center.
The feelings need to be acknowledged and understoodto take their power away.
So after my acknowledging timesI fully committed to refocus my intention.
To put all of my intention on the miraculous moments in my life.
I truly believewe get more ofwhat we think of most.We can chooseto grow our 'emotional fortitude'to focus on the good.
To Grow our Own Resilience.
With Focus on the big and small moments in life that create beauty depthand meaning.
And in the intentional
RefocusI realized the Gift that my sadness could bethis year.
By taking time to acknowledgemy sadness it actually Gave me Clearer Vision.
By acknowledging the painit opened up my heartto see the beauty before me.
Instead of letting my dark emotions distort my life view I used them toclarify and magnifythe beauty love and joy before me.
It reminded menot to take anythingfor granted.
Whether it be the Holidaysor Life
Each moment with family and friendsis important.
It reminded to to hold tight those I love.To truly see themand truly appreciatethose that Want to be in my lifeand bless and send love to those who don't.
Instead of living in the missingto remember those gonewith Love and Gratitudefor time spent together.
And in doing so
To truly SavorEnjoyand Love on those present today.
Family Traditionsthat Changecan actuallymake room for new andVibrant Traditions!
That being saidI am sharing some of my
magical Christmas moments.
Like this
precious little girl!
I remember when I found out we were going to have a grandchildI told myselfI wasn't going to turn into one of those drooling Grandparentsso taken with the child.
Well my friendsthat didn't last long.
Being a grandparentis Everythingthey say it is.
It's like watching a miracle play outbefore your own eyes!
The joy flows deep and full into your heart!
Seeing this young family
interact togethermakes my heart swell with so much love and pride!
Our
Christmas time together as a familywas everything I was hoping for!
Full of loveand exciting new family additions!
Besides darling Lenny,my brother got a brand new puppy for Christmas!
Come Christmas MorningIt was presents and stockings with these three!
And speaking of New Traditionswe spent the morning playing Vertellis!It is a card game with the purpose of having "Less small talkMore genuine conversation"
Not only did we all learn more about each otherit was the perfect gameto set
intentions
for
the New Year!
Spending time with my adult children
and
realizing even more
how remarkable they are
was a precious gift in it's self!
I can honestly saythis new Christmas activitywas one of my very favorite parts of the seasonand I will definitely be making insightful games like
Vertellis
into New Family Traditions!
Thank you for visiting here and Reading.
Taking the time to Reflectand Writeand Share
has been so cathartic for me today.
It has been a year and a halfsince I have written with an open heart.
I am not completely sure why.
Sometimes I think after the really hard timesI might have been afraidit I opened my heartthe pain would return.
But with thatI realize now
to be afraid of pain
one blocks the incoming joy
as well.
I am realizing as I write today
Emotional Healthhas the same needs and dedicationas physical health.
There needs to be A PlanThere needs to be daily workoutsand intentional goals.
There are no aha momentsthat take the place of living an intentional life.Each day needs intentional choice.
What you put in your heart and mind makes a differencein the same waybad food in your body does.
Sometimes we need to learn lessonsagain and again.
I am gratefulfor the opportunity
As always my friends
I wish you love and joyas you style your life
