A Christmas Snow in Chicago

What could be more magical than a Christmas snowfall? That would be a Christmas snowfall in Chicago!

When the city of Big Shoulders is surprised by a wintry blast from the plains there is this certain air of excitement, a sense of anticipation that surrounds the metropolis and bids it to take a time out. This is especially true at Christmas Time when emotions are already amplified by the seasonal excitement of city shoppers scampering to and fro.

A feeling of tranquility descends as the fluffy white blanket of silence covers the roads and roof tops making for a much needed silent night. The pure white powder transforms the hussle and bussle into a softer and more manageable moment in which we can slip sideways into our childhood selves and maybe even make a snow angle.

What could be more beautiful than to see the sparkling white lights of Michigan Avenue frosted by a winters kiss or the park and pavillions transformed into snow sculptures. Call me crazy but it is this little miracle each year that sets the tone for season, at least for me.

It's Only a Day Away ...

How did that saying go again? "Life is a mystery, it has to be lived, not understood".

The older I become the less I understand people. Not that I don't understand them but rather that I don't understand their lack of understanding. So much is given to us everyday via radio, TV, and the Internet, not to mention the volumes of books, discs and CD's. How can we not be aware every minute of every day. What is it that makes us so dense in our determination not to absorb knowledge?

Perhaps we are retreating from the tidal wave of technology that has numbed and neutered us; the over stimulation which has brought us to this precipice then threatens to dash us against the rocks and steal our souls.

I for one have begun a retreat. Finding that all the promises of this techno perfection have only further enslaved me I decided to take a break and breathe deeply again. Maybe the simple silence that comes with this self awareness just might be the ticket. Several times in life I have found myself at similar junctures and each time it has been the "self centering" that has saved the day.

Last evening I hosted a dinner party for a few good friends. It had been quite a while since I endeavored to attempt this feat. After two days of preparation; shopping, chopping, cleaning and decorating the hour approached. A warm and wonderful evening transpired as we all sipped and slipped into another era. Conversation replaced texting for a time and dining on porcelain plates with sterling service replaced the usual "grab and run" frenzy of the over worked day. A long and leisurely night of "one on one" human communication was had by all. The evening glistened into the wee hours and finally two by two my guests set out into the winters night. I was left with a kitchen full the left overs of a fabulous feast and the glow of contentment that comes with such a successful event. But more than that was the realization that time can be stopped and even turned back if we really wish to do so. We can and should recapture moments that make us content and comfortable in our skins. Isn't that who and what we are?

So as the new year approaches and expectations accelerate, this may be the perfect time to step back a little and let ourselves enjoy at least a moment of contentment with that which we have or can have; enjoy our time in this moment and moments of past pleasures. After all tomorrow, as Annie once said, "is only a day away" ...

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

On Dasher, on Dancer, on Pracer and Vixen, on Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen ... The Holiday Season has come with a vengeance on the wings of a Midwestern snow storm. Conjuring up visions of many happy seasons past and renewing memories of much love and joy.

I find it interesting that amongst all the misery and madness that is the world today can come this pause in time. A cease fire, if you will, when man kind (for the most part that is) agrees to put aside petty differences and gather together for a moment; to reflect in peace with tidings of comfort and joy. Unfortunately this pause is usually then followed buy the return to more madness and misery after Auld Lang Syne ...

Maybe, I thought to myself. Just maybe, one year the Grinch just might steal Christmas for real; and then what we do with all our naked emotion left exposed. Without our cloaks of holiday cheer or our balls of holly to deck our halls. What would we do if Christmas didn't come?

Perhaps this year we should make it a point to look real hard at our world and ourselves. Perhaps we should reflect on the real meaning of the season and learn from our past celebrations. Wouldn't it be great to wake up on Christmas morning and discover that spirit of the season has left us with a new world where peace and love fills every day, and tiding of comfort and joy are the rule, not the exception?

Holiday Spirits & Sprites

Whoosh! I think that I just caught a glimpse of a holiday spirit making it's way though my house. I haven't seen one of those in a long time. Care must be taken when such episodes occur. If not careful one could easily be caught up in the frenetic frenzy and god only knows what might happen then.

This year seems to be a little less full of fun and frenzy, and more concentrated on content. Times of past illusion are giving way to daily realities, for me at least. For instance, when was the last time that you did something just for the fun of it. Don't you find that most everything now is pre-screened or previewed to the point of ... well, to the point of wondering why we even choose to start the process?

Immersed or embroiled as we may be in the heart of the holidays, I have to say that there is one thing that helps to lift me up and out of the magical mire. The only thing that seems to be capable of creating this cure for me is the simple and pure distillation achieved by the conjuring of past perfect times. This can make for a powerful and pungent potion which when mixed together with dear friends both old and new will not only add flavor to your celebrations but give new energy and meaning to life.

As the new year approaches and our thoughts turn toward a new day let us be eager in our anticipation, but careful in our participation of events that will lead us forward to a kinder, better time.

Let's drink a cup of kindness then for "Auld Lang Syne" ...