Before you read further and hear about my initial explosive response to recent disappointments, I do want you to know that I am praying that your Christmas ahead is meaningful and celebratory (even in the very smallest of ways).
Enthusing motivation and optimism is an integral part of my work through Branching Out. However, with the whopping curve balls that we encountered this past week, I have to be honest and tell you that I have been far from present or peaceful. Our daughter tested positive for Covid. I have had to delay our flights home and my reaction has been one of tears, concern and all sorts of (catastrophising) ‘what if’s’! I confess this because I so wish that I had been able to successfully apply the ‘tools’ for coping more effectively. But I am also very human.
The reality is that our responses are not how we always hope them to be – but I think that this is alright too!
Given this, however, I did wake up this morning and set the intention to be ‘peaceful’, and to remind myself that somehow things always do work out in some form or other. I am a bit calmer now, sort of. I am prompting myself to breath deeply, have faith, and get on with what I CAN do. This massive feeling of uncontrolled anxiety WILL pass … followed by calm … and then back again! But whatever happens, I know that I will not remain ‘stuck’ in the overwhelm. We never do.
Reflecting on the dilemmas’s of the past week, I think that, for many of us, this Christmas season is also triggering that swamped feeling of uncertainty. As such, I have let go of the preconceived ideas of how Christmas SHOULD be and I am encouraging myself to be excited about the ‘tiny’ Christmassy things that are festive and beautiful. For me, this is listening to beautiful carols; appreciating my friends and family; loving the cold air on my skin (once we get there!) and of twinkling lights. Preparing the brussel sprouts is my annual task that always gives me happiness!
In short, I wish that I lived with a constant air of presence and serenity no matter what I need to deal with. I don’t, but I am going to just let that go and be as in the ‘moment’ as I possibly can be without getting caught up in my internal drama. And I so hope that you can too.
May your Christmas be special and I hope that it comes filled with wonderful surprises of joy, great peace and unexpected calm!
HAPPY HAPPY CHRISTMAS.