A different Christmas
Hi …. How are you today?
This has been a difficult year and not all of us are in high spirits for the Holidays. What can we do then? Let’s try to think about this Christmas from another perspective in the following podcast.
You can listen to the podcast with this player, or if you prefer reading you have a written version below. Enjoy it!
This year has undoubtedly taught us several lessons, it’s made us realize how resilient we can be, it’s been a real cry to pause and rethink our lives, and we had no choice but to take a breath and breathe deeply. We’ve visibly changed as a whole, the pandemic has transformed us and we’ve learned how to redefine our values. Covid has also beaten us strongly. Many of us have gone through very bitter moments and have had significant losses. Loved ones, jobs, projects and our general willpower have passed away. We don’t feel like having big, loud, overly decorated Christmas parties. And it's okay, it’s natural, there’s nothing wrong in not feeling so much joy during these Holidays. Nobody can force us to feel cheerful just because "oh come on, what’s wrong with you? it's Christmas", "we have to be grateful, look around", "we have to be merry, it’s Christmas", "we’re lucky, look at ... poor thing". I believe we are being invited to recognize and accept what we feel and to integrate it into all the emotions that will arise during these days because we’ll certainly have nice, pleasant and peaceful moments as well.
Beyond the impact the pandemic has had on us this year, it’d be fair to say that, in general, not all of us enjoy the Holidays with the same childlike spirit we had when we were young.
“This year we may find it easier to project our nostalgic feelings on the virus, but the truth is that every Christmas brings about mixed feelings.”
We relish the Christmas lights and we take pleasure in the Christmassy decorations. We delight in children’s happy expectations; we admire the ornamented windows in the shops. We sing along the Christmas carols and look forward to the delicious meals and the gatherings with family and/or dear friends. Yet, there is something else going on inside, it twists our guts and exhorts us: what is happening to you? And suddenly, we also feel sadness, anguish and even anxiety. The outside world doesn’t amuse us that much, we miss people who are no longer here, we start making hasty balances of our year, we get stressed with our shopping and kaboom! Guilt makes itself present among all the other merry feelings.
Nevertheless, who said that we are supposed to feel joy and exhilaration all of the time? Culture? Society? Our families? Our environment? Our history? The media? What would happen if we moved more slowly instead? Could we try to be more minimalist? What would happen if our actions were less ruled by the outside and more moved by our inside world? Could we make room for the noblest love we can feel this Christmas? Could we let our innate grace, empathy, kindness, compassion, and clarity come through and wash over us from crown to toe? We can make a radical change these Holidays by simply opening some space to be present and mindful, to let all the range of emotions flow, because that is what they are, "e" of energy + motion, energy in motion. We can be active listeners for those who speak to us, we can listen without judging, we can offer kind words, we can allow ourselves to be moved by others and their needs, and we can attend ours with great diligence and tenderness. We are summoned to get out of the trance of consumerism and of the "should be" to live our most authentic Christmas experience in all its colors.
I would like to end with a few words from Rha Goddess, coach and mentor, whom I look up to, who says:
“Have you discovered how to sit in that which is uncertain?
Can you still find laughter, peace, strength and divine knowing?
Keep exercising the faith that All Is Well, There is Enough and You Are Worthy”
Covid has pushed us to have a more intimate Christmas celebration. Treat yourself and redesign this Christmas your way, whatever you do, let it be true to yourself. May you align mind and heart.
Have a loving, peaceful and relaxed Christmas.
A big hug ❤