Seems kind of redundant, talking about both "holidays" and "holy days". After all, the word "holiday" comes from the phrase "holy day". The first holidays started out as holy days, and were a time of rest and reflection, a time to stop the normal flow of things and do something different.
However, it seems that as the word "holy day" got corrupted into "holiday", so, too, did our attitudes toward those very holy days.
How many of you have been rushing around this year, trying to get everything done for the holidays? How many of you are tired of the seemingly incessant rush, rush, rush of this time of year?
Between religious services, pageants, recitals, shopping, standing in line at the mall or Post Office, having to go to yet another party, or traveling to be with family members you with whom you would rather not visit, it is very easy to forget why we are doing it all in the first place.
If you feel yourself starting to stress out amidst all the busy-ness of our lives, then I would like to give something to you. After all, it is the season of giving, so allow me to offer you this simple gift.
Just stop.
Seriously. Just stop for a bit. Give yourself 5 minutes to clear your mind. Allow me to help you relax.
If you could, please take out a sheet of paper and something with which to write.
For the first 60 seconds, I would like you to stop thinking about what needs to be done. Don't worry about the gifts that need to be bought, the food that needs to be cooked, the house that needs to be cleaned, the places you need to go, the people you need to see, or any of the things that need to be done. Just think about what you have already accomplished today, this week, this month, or this year. I am absolutely positive that you can name 3 things you have accomplished this year which you had no idea would happen back when the year started. Take in a deep breath and let it out slowly, and bask in the warmth of your accomplishments. Write those accomplishments on your piece of paper.
For the second 60 seconds, I would like you to think about someone who is very close to you, someone whom you love deeply. This can be your spouse, fiance, significant other, parent, child, or sibling. Bring his or her face to your mind and fix them in your inner eye. Imagine how different your life would be if that person were not a part of your world. Look at them carefully in your mind and visualize yourself telling them "Thank you for being my [fill in the blank] ... I am glad you are in my life." Write this person's name on your paper.
For the third 60 seconds, I would like you to think about someone with whom you have had differences this year. This could be somebody whom you have hurt, or perhaps someone who has wounded you. Strangely enough, it might even be the same person you were just thinking about. Bring that person's face to your mind. Imagine what would happen if you were able to say to them, "I'm sorry I hurt you" or "You really hurt me, but I forgive you." Either phrase might be very tough to say, even in your mind. Write this person's name on your paper.
For the fourth 60 seconds, I would like you to think about someone whose name you don't even know. This could be the homeless person you saw on the street, huddled against a cold and bitter wind. It might be a single mom struggling to feed her children on the meager pay from her job as a waitress. It might be a child with a dirty face or ragged clothes you saw when you were at the store. It could even be a neighbor down the street who has lost a job, or whose house is in foreclosure. Bring that person, and all others like him or her to your mind. On your piece of paper, write down the name of a charitable organization that helps people just like the person in your mind. This might be the local rescue mission, the Salvation Army, Red Cross, United Way, your church, your synagogue, your mosque, or even a local food bank. Next to the name of this charitable organization, write down an amount of money that you know you can give.
For the last 60 seconds, I would like you to think about your spiritual side and the spiritual observations you might make during this time of reflection. What do candles mean to you? What do presents and gifts represent? What do the words of the songs you hear, sing, or hum really mean? What do they mean to you? Think about the deeper meanings behind the rituals and the practices, the motions and the words.
If you want, you can take a minute to pray. Or, if you are not a follower of any particular religion, you can just observe a minute of quiet contemplation.
In either case, breathe deeply, and just rest. Let peace and quiet flow through your soul.
Still with me? Good.
Keep that piece of paper with you.
When you are worried about what still needs to be done, look at the paper and be reminded of what you have already accomplished.
When you need a smile, call or find the loved one and tell them how much you appreciate them.
If someone has hurt you, forgive them. It may not be possible to forgive them in person, but you can certainly forgive them within your spirit. Or, if you have hurt someone, apologize sincerely. Again, you may not be able to apologize in person, but you can express remorse within your heart.
All of these steps will help you put the holidays -- and the holy days -- into perspective.
Oh. And that charitable organization and the amount you wrote down? Yep. Do it.
Peace.
Bob
However, it seems that as the word "holy day" got corrupted into "holiday", so, too, did our attitudes toward those very holy days.
How many of you have been rushing around this year, trying to get everything done for the holidays? How many of you are tired of the seemingly incessant rush, rush, rush of this time of year?
Between religious services, pageants, recitals, shopping, standing in line at the mall or Post Office, having to go to yet another party, or traveling to be with family members you with whom you would rather not visit, it is very easy to forget why we are doing it all in the first place.
If you feel yourself starting to stress out amidst all the busy-ness of our lives, then I would like to give something to you. After all, it is the season of giving, so allow me to offer you this simple gift.
Just stop.
Seriously. Just stop for a bit. Give yourself 5 minutes to clear your mind. Allow me to help you relax.
If you could, please take out a sheet of paper and something with which to write.
For the first 60 seconds, I would like you to stop thinking about what needs to be done. Don't worry about the gifts that need to be bought, the food that needs to be cooked, the house that needs to be cleaned, the places you need to go, the people you need to see, or any of the things that need to be done. Just think about what you have already accomplished today, this week, this month, or this year. I am absolutely positive that you can name 3 things you have accomplished this year which you had no idea would happen back when the year started. Take in a deep breath and let it out slowly, and bask in the warmth of your accomplishments. Write those accomplishments on your piece of paper.
For the second 60 seconds, I would like you to think about someone who is very close to you, someone whom you love deeply. This can be your spouse, fiance, significant other, parent, child, or sibling. Bring his or her face to your mind and fix them in your inner eye. Imagine how different your life would be if that person were not a part of your world. Look at them carefully in your mind and visualize yourself telling them "Thank you for being my [fill in the blank] ... I am glad you are in my life." Write this person's name on your paper.
For the third 60 seconds, I would like you to think about someone with whom you have had differences this year. This could be somebody whom you have hurt, or perhaps someone who has wounded you. Strangely enough, it might even be the same person you were just thinking about. Bring that person's face to your mind. Imagine what would happen if you were able to say to them, "I'm sorry I hurt you" or "You really hurt me, but I forgive you." Either phrase might be very tough to say, even in your mind. Write this person's name on your paper.
For the fourth 60 seconds, I would like you to think about someone whose name you don't even know. This could be the homeless person you saw on the street, huddled against a cold and bitter wind. It might be a single mom struggling to feed her children on the meager pay from her job as a waitress. It might be a child with a dirty face or ragged clothes you saw when you were at the store. It could even be a neighbor down the street who has lost a job, or whose house is in foreclosure. Bring that person, and all others like him or her to your mind. On your piece of paper, write down the name of a charitable organization that helps people just like the person in your mind. This might be the local rescue mission, the Salvation Army, Red Cross, United Way, your church, your synagogue, your mosque, or even a local food bank. Next to the name of this charitable organization, write down an amount of money that you know you can give.
For the last 60 seconds, I would like you to think about your spiritual side and the spiritual observations you might make during this time of reflection. What do candles mean to you? What do presents and gifts represent? What do the words of the songs you hear, sing, or hum really mean? What do they mean to you? Think about the deeper meanings behind the rituals and the practices, the motions and the words.
If you want, you can take a minute to pray. Or, if you are not a follower of any particular religion, you can just observe a minute of quiet contemplation.
In either case, breathe deeply, and just rest. Let peace and quiet flow through your soul.
Still with me? Good.
Keep that piece of paper with you.
When you are worried about what still needs to be done, look at the paper and be reminded of what you have already accomplished.
When you need a smile, call or find the loved one and tell them how much you appreciate them.
If someone has hurt you, forgive them. It may not be possible to forgive them in person, but you can certainly forgive them within your spirit. Or, if you have hurt someone, apologize sincerely. Again, you may not be able to apologize in person, but you can express remorse within your heart.
All of these steps will help you put the holidays -- and the holy days -- into perspective.
Oh. And that charitable organization and the amount you wrote down? Yep. Do it.
Peace.
Bob
