After Christmas Spirit

Blue skies on a winter day with Purple Finches in the Maple tree the day after Christmas.

The Day After Christmas

What I love so much about Christmastime is the generosity of spirit, and the openness of the heart that seems to prevail.  I love the way people will greet each other at this time of the year, with smiles from the heart, and good wishes that extend to family, friends, and strangers alike.

What other time of the year do you find so many people singing and smiling? I love the singing, the laughter, and enjoying the company of loved ones. Love seems so expansive at this time of the year. As I appreciate all these things, it keeps the spirit of Christmas in my heart.

There’s no one “right” way to celebrate. Let go of others’ expectations, and choose your own most joy filled way.  If you have memories that make your heart glad, call up those wonderful feelings, and bask in the glow of them. Be open to more magical moments, though they may take new forms.

If you have memories that cause you distress, or maybe ones that seem to keep you from enjoying the holidays, or just don’t honor where you are in your life now, let them go. It may sound like a difficult thing, maybe not. Who is keeping those memories, those feelings alive? Know you can choose a different experience for yourself now. Let your focus be on love, enjoy each moment and be happy – or not. Isn’t it lovely that we each are free to choose?

Me, I’m keeping Christmas going this year by reflecting on what I love and letting myself really feel it. Yesterday, I had a long drive, and so I played the game of “something really good is coming soon!”, and it was such fun! To play you just allow yourself feel that delicious feeling of knowing that something-I’m-going-to-love is on its way! Don’t even think of what it might be, just stay with the wonderful feeling of knowing it’s coming. Now I can’t say how soon your “something” might arrive, but I had a very lovely surprise within a couple of hours! Having thought about it coming just let me enjoy it all the more. Actually, even if something hadn’t shown up, I would still have enjoyed the time I spent with that feeling.

These quotes are included with my Christmas greeting this year, and since they sum all this up so perfectly, I’ll post them again. ♥

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love! – Hamilton Wright Mabie

Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind. – Mary Ellen Chase

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. – W.T. Ellis

1 comment to After Christmas Spirit

  • Delma Casey

    Not only do I enjoy your beautiful works, but I also love the way that you write. Such beautiful expressions. Keep on keeping on.