Embracing the Madness

This time of year really pulls me into an even deeper sense of introspection. Its dark, cold and gray here in New York City. Its really getting to me too. I dont really like it at all. Some people love the cold, I think I am just much more of a tropical person. I need a Hawaiian holiday, a Bahamavention, a Carribean getaway!!!

Its a great time for making food and hanging out with friends and family, watching old classic movies. My favorite ones are the old Rudolph and Frosty animated movies. Everything is so sleek these days, ya know!

I keep craving spiced apple cider - I love the smell of it this time of year.

One thing that really comes up for me is on the topic of giving gifts. Its a big issue for a lot of people. That sense of being forced to give something because you "have to" - ugh! I think holidays are great reminders of how we should live our lives on a regular basis. Going out of our way every day to be generous and kind and grateful makes our everyday beautiful and lifts our hearts and elevates our spirits. I like to give people things when they aren't expecting them. Expectation is a terrible thing - when it comes to gifts. It just seems so greedy to me. Like there's an underlying lack of gratitude. I think we can all illuminate this world with our inner lights and shine them upon eachother as a daily practice.

Another HUGE topic that really cuts me to the bone is the concept of sudden casual religiospirituality. Like - we never spend time focused on this EXCEPT for on "Holy Days aka Holidays." Every day is a Holy Day - when you are ALIVE!

And what's up with Western culture, man. Its so focused on Stuff. Objects. Consuming. Please Please Please let this change, people. You cant take it with you when you die. We can all make this world a lot brighter by focusing on love and gratitude. Why not make something - actually create it yourself - and give those things as gifts instead of buying so much garbage. I am not against shopping - and I really love precious beautiful things - I just feel like our focus needs to be re-aligned with our spirits first, and the objects are secondary.

Which brings me to another topic - about how so many people are sad because this time of year reminds you of all the loved ones who have passed on this year, or how alone you might feel. That maybe your life is not exactly how you want it to be, and I completely empathize with you on that one. My life is so imperfectly perfect.

Its easy to get grumpy and grinchy and agitated in all kinds of ways. I noticed all of these thoughts coming up in me - and I just had to remind myself of all the magic and beauty and love and wonder and prosperity and beauty and creativity and health and friends and family - I DO have - and give thanks for that! And embrace the madness - and dive into it.