'Tis the Season!!

As we approach the end of this year, I am reminded of how quickly time can move, how quickly things can happen, and how quickly we can forget to be present. This is the season, which for some, can be painful: dealing with depression, grief, loss, financial burden, social anxiety, loneliness and even anger. This is also the season for many others, which represents the celebration of life, hope, giving, community, belonging and thanksgiving. Whatever season this is for you, I pray you are able to embrace it completely for ALL that it is: good, bad or indifferent.
Our society has confused us to be believe that pain should be dreaded and avoided, and the only "true" experiences are good experiences. I believe, however, that it is in our most painful moments, the ones that seem hopeless and never ending, that we develop our strength, our character, and our endurance to not only face tomorrow, but embrace it with enthusiasm! If we did not experience pain, loss, or grief, how then could we so greatly appreciate our wholeness, our gain, or our joy? It is healthy to question those things we do not fully understand, and even the things we think we do. It is also healthy to wrestle with those questions until we discover not only the answer, but what it is within the issue that causes us to be unsettled, uncomfortable and unnerved. I pray that as you settle into the comforts of winter, you begin to contemplate those unanswered questions in your life-maybe even the ones you have put off and avoided for what seems to be a lifetime, in order to begin the new year with clarity, closure and liberation!
New Year's means new beginnings. We have a choice to how we want to begin each year, the same as we do for each day. So, make the choice to bring closure to doors left open, wounds left undressed, relationships in need of mending, and friendships in need of nurturing. Closing doors allows us to be present in the room we are in! As you begin to examine and experience your new room, you will be able to absorb it more completely, experience it more freely, and learn from it more quickly since you are no longer trying to keep up with the room you just left.
The most precious gift we can give some one is our time. Make your time count by being fully present during the holidays, even if you don't want to be. You might be surprised what you learn about others, and yourself, when you lend yourself to them completely. 'Tis the season for selflessness! Many blessings to you and yours!