The Snows of Another Decade

Just a day ago we were covered with the snows of another decade; but that evening the rain of the new year washed it away in preparation for the new years day. As the warmth of the day gave way to the cold and clear night skies a choir of voices seemed to surround me; as if embracing me in their song they gave a lightness to my being, gradually lifting me up to a place on high; a space in the heavens were I could feel the essence of that moment in time.

What becomes of us when we experience change? Well in the first place the act of change must either happen to us or be driven by us. In either event however change has occurred and when it does it cannot be easily altered. Therefore we must be careful what we wish for and take care with our new year resolutions as well.

This year, this new decade should and must be filled with the promise of all the abundant love and joy that we can muster. May it ring out loud and long; loud enough to fill the next decade and long enough to carry us there and beyond ... and shouldn't it be the hope of each and every one?

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" ...

Human Sacrifices

You know me, the holidays have always held a special place in my heart. Being some where between Buddhist Priest and Druid, I enter into the season with trepidation, never knowing which way to turn. This year, left to my own devices, I decided to go with the pagan motif as it seemed more in touch with my inner self at the moment. So it was a rock crystal mobile dripping down my staircase interspersed with silver snowflakes, white lights and an occasional ornament - kind of Auntie Mame. White poinsettias surround our living room and a silver, white and gold Christmas Tree touched by a smidgen of red for flavor stands proud by the fireplace. The third floor is more sedate with dark red poinsettias as the theme, still to soon for the family tree. Maybe, I thought, a few treasured ornaments and accessories would do but we will see.

Did you ever notice that the holidays seem to bring out the best and the worst in people. If you are in a good place your great, but god forbid that you are in the dumps because it will only get worse. However, there is salvation at hand. I have learned that if you are not in a good place in your head at the holidays the best thing to do is to go somewhere else, physically that is. Yes! Run away!!

I know that you can't run away from life forever but you can run away from Uncle Burt and Aunt Emmie. You can ignore Santa Claus and go with Santana or you can enjoy a Merry Christmas in Margaritaville. Be creative for goodness sake and give your inner Santa a "Sidecar". Hang those jalapeño pepper lights and make merry with your boyfriend Harry or your girlfriend Mary! You don't have to stew in other peoples puddings you know and you don't have to sing their holiday anthems. What you do have to do is to listen to your very own inner voices and let them take you to that place that makes you happy. Sure you can always bring a few people along if you want to but it is not a requirement.

This year I think that I just might invite a select group to help me celebrate my Pagan Solstice and we might just make a sacrifice too!

Happy Holidays

The leaves of summer have turned their color and are now falling to the ground carpeting the earth with a coat of many colors, giving warmth to the now barren earth and providing nourishment for the season to come. Upon the horizon I am looking at the shadow of November which has now over taken me and is rushing me once again into the holidays ahead.

What has changed since a year ago today? Everything and nothing at the same time. Life seems to go on with or without us and I sometimes wonder what the point of all this constant concern really is. Perhaps we are concerned lest we loose are place at life's table. If we loose our place, our identity, then it is only a matter of time before we become forgotten and part of the past, left behind to fend for ourselves in the wilds of solitude.

But we are in fact meant to be free beings and whether we choose to live alone or to entangle our lives with those of others, we will live and love only as much as is our capacity to do so. As we gather around our Thanksgiving tables this year with friends and family let us celebrate each other and remember just how fragile and transient life is so that we may enjoy it all the more.

So as the Holidays rush in and dazzle us with their opulence remember that close behind waiting in the dark and quiet of winter is the time when we will need our friends, on occasion, and our memories, always, to brighten our days until the spring sets us free to run again through the fields and forests of our lives. To gather new memories and to bask in the sunshine that is ours.