But, then follows the holiday season, a time of joyous celebration or is it? Christmas time also brings desperation, impending sadness, loneliness and pain for those who do not have reasons to celebrate. Regardless of the holiday, whether it is Diwali, Yule or Christmas, or whatever, people will rush around attempting to choose appropriate gifts and many, also will also enter into huge financial debts requiring the remainder of the year to pay off. There is anxiety over decorating and the homes, malls and even the schools are filled with plastic finery and cheap replications of what was once a real holiday. Fake trees of every colour, size and shape, pre lit with fancy coloured bulbs, will grace every window. Old trees, made of wire and plastic, will be discarded in favour of the new slim styles with the bulbs already permanently in place. New colour schemes for decor will replace last year's red and green. And it seemingly never ends.
Yet, those in need, those without, those living on the street or on their own in tiny hovels they call home, those without jobs, and those without money - they will become more despondent and desperate with each approaching day of Christmas. Not only can they not partake in the madness, they also have no one to share the holidays with. Alone in their homes, they turn to their televisions and are bombarded with more consumerism and lunacy. Is there an end?
Dr. Suess was trying to tell the world something when he wrote the book about the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The season is not about the trappings and trippings. It is about sharing and love, that is if one has something to share or someone to love. In his book, Christmas was stolen, yet it was in the hearts of the folks from Whoville and came anyhow. Would it come to your house without the decorations? Without the dinner? Without the presents? Would it? Christmas means different things to different people, but the original celebration prior to the coming of Christ, was to bring back the light of the world, for winter was dark and desperate and hard in those long days eons ago. It is still that way today.
We are entering the time of sadness. Suicides are prevalent during this time of the year and hearts are heavy and laden. My wish for you is that your spirits be lifted, your burdens be light, and your joy overflowing without the commercial aspects of the holiday. My wish for you is that all you need comes from within your own heart, from your love and your gifts that are truly unique and yours to offer to others. Please think about sharing your blessings rather than spending your dollars on trinkets made in China that do not satisfy the spirit at all. Please consider giving the gift of yourself to others in so many ways as you only can, for you are blessed and beautiful.
Be filled with compassion, kindness and love as we enter this time of sadness. Blessings to you, my dear friends and family.