WHERE IS THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT? by Fran Hafey
I have been feeling it since December started and I admit I let
myself wonder, "Where is the Holiday Spirit?" I asked many people
these questions..."Do you feel the Holiday Spirit?" and most
said, "No, things just feel different this year," and then I
asked "Well, what does Holiday Spirit feel like and where does it
come from?" Well, I knew my own answers, but I wanted to hear
what others had to say. Ya know, no one could answer my
questions!!! I was shocked.
I usually do very little shopping. I get what I want to get and
what I feel the person may love and enjoy and that's it. I never
fuss or worry about my gifts and if they don't like them, then
that's ok too. When I do shop, I sense so much anger and lack of
joy that I can barely stand it, even when I shield and protect
myself. My husband said, maybe I didn't feel so much joy this
year because I feel it so much all the time and to me Christmas
is just another day? I said, "No, Christmas Day is the
remembrance of
Jesus Birth, regardless of my beliefs of the Holidays themselves
and I respect that. I have taught my children over the years, the
many traditions that keep our Holidays alive and filled with joy.
I was dreading the Holidays, mainly because I was sick, but there
was more to it. I think I get sick every year. Maybe I really
want to avoid all this mess and greed, and take it upon myself. I
must change this, now that I am very aware of it.
Christmas morning, I allowed myself to be hurt and bitter about
something. I called my Mothers house to say "Merry Christmas" and
to check what time we were supposed to be there. She said "Oh we
changed the time, its now 1pm, not 2pm." We're about an hour
away, so I was glad we got up in time and had most everything
done.
I got a bit upset, because I allowed my heart to be hurt that no
one even called us to let us know of the change. My family likes
to joke and see who is the last one to arrive, because usually
the children are anxious to eat so they can open their gifts.
I hung up the phone and told my husband and he was upset too. I
almost allowed that one thing to ruin my day. I arrived there,
smiled, hugged and had a good day, even when some people were too
busy to say hello to me. That hurts, but I will survive. I
arrived home that evening, still a bit bitter and hurt, but then
as I got to talk to a friend online. I realized... My Mother has
been acting a bit different since her only sister has been ill.
They didn't think she would even live to see Christmas, much less
the New Year.
I then felt a plunk in my heart and tears on my face. How selfish
I was to think of my own pain and suffering, when my Mother was
suffering silently about her sister and her only living relative,
besides her children, husband etc. Her Mother and Father and only
brother had passed on. Now her only sister was ill and Ninety
years old and it was time to let go, but not an easy thing to do
anytime, much less the Holidays.
I immediately spoke to the Angels and Spirit and thanked them for
sending my friend to me, that allowed me to express myself and my
feelings, and come upon the answers I needed.
Love does conquer all and my love for my Mother and some of my
family members was much more important than the petty things I
got hurt over. I let them go, and that is when I felt the Spirit
of Christmas once again.
I didn't put up a tree this year or decorate my house, but the
Spirit of the Holidays and the joy... it came anyway. Just like
on the Grinch!! No present could give that joy and peace to me, I
already had it tucked inside of my heart, I just had to remember
it!!!
Someone shared with me recently that the day after Christmas they
went to the stores and they were in shock and saddened by all
they saw and heard. They saw greed, hatred and meanness in
people's voices and hearts, as they yelled at a dear old woman
with a walker who was backing up traffic. They shared that they
saw people exchanging gifts for money and taking back presents
that many had put their love into, but they didn't care. People
were grabbing and shoving, and just not acting like loving human
beings at all. The person that shared this with me was asking,
"Where has it gone, the Spirit/love of the Holidays?" no matter
what you call it or how you celebrate it.
I still stick to what I have said all along, "we get back what we
give out" and if I go to the stores and share joy and love, then
I know somehow I will get that back, and for those that have lost
the true meaning of the Holidays, I just ask the Creator, to
remind them or show them somehow... and if its through me, then
so be it.
I know it's sad, but we all can make a difference, one person and
one heart at a time.
~Happy Holidays and a joy filled New Year~
Copyright: Mystickblue (c) December, 2003 All rights reserved.
About the Author
Fran Hafey is a Spiritual Counselor, Writer, Healer, Earth
Activist and Lightworker.
She provides guidance and inspiration via her Website, groups and
newsletter through the Internet and other Resources. To read more
of her articles visit
the Author's Website: http://Mystickblue.com or
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SpiritualPathways/join
She's currently working on publishing her own books about Love,
peace
Inspiration, magic, Soul connections and nature stories for
Children of all ages.
More articles on SPIRITUALISM
Never Say Goodbye, Just Say 'I Love You'
Being Assertive Can Be Spiritual
Spirituality is a Labor of Love
From Darkness Into the Light
The Magic of Autumn
The Gift of Peace
Loving and Taking Care of Me
Today I Missed a Friend - My Tribute to My Meeko
Taking the Leap
Care Bears are Lightworkers!
Where is the Holiday Spirit?
Past, Present and Future
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