Tis the Season to be Jolly, Bah Hum Bug

During this time of year, so many people begin to feel down and depressed including myself.

Why is this?

In observing myself and countless others, I find that most people are talking about their lack of time, energy, money and ideas. They are spending money they do not have buying things they don't want for people they do not know. People with families stress over having families and those without families stress due to the lack of one. The list is endless.

All of this thinking and talking of lack produces a mentality which creates angst, stress, frustration and fear. This is quite sad because the reason for celebrating Christmas is to welcome the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Lords. It is a time for us to open our hearts to the indwelling Spirit of Christ. The Prince of Peace came to shower us with hope, joy, peace and love.

What the world has created is a holiday which stimulates just the opposite.

When I allow life to get me down, I consciously begin focusing on all of my blessings and my life gets better. I do this daily by writing down at least 10 things for which I am grateful. I encourage my children to do this when they go to bed or when they are stressed because of school and other activities. This one exercise can change your life and the lives of many.

A life of gratitude is a joyful life.

Wisdom from a Rabbi

When a baby comes into the world, its hands are clenched, like a fist.
Why? Because a baby, not knowing any better, wants to grab everything, to say, "The whole world is mine."
"But when an old person dies, how does he do so? With his hands open. Why? Because he has learned the lesson, we can take nothing with us."
(Have A little Faith, Mitch Albom, pg. 101).

This has been my truth. I find the older I get the less I want as far as material things. The more stuff I have and am responsible for the less freedom I have to do the things I enjoy. Being content with who I am and what I have has been the key to my ultimate happiness.

This is a common message in faith traditions. In Buddhism, we find, "Contentment is the greatest wealth" (Dham 204). Hinduism states, "contentment is the root of happiness, and discontent the root of misery (Manu 4:12).

For me, focusing on the blessings in my life with a grateful heart brings about a sense of AWE and contentment. Happiness for me is being satisfied with what I have.

I encourage you to look around and become aware of the blessed abundance in your life. If you live in America, even if you are living in the slums, you are living better than 80% of the people on the planet.
Be grateful.

The Guest House - Rumi

This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

~ Rumi ~

(The Essential Rumi, versions by Coleman Barks)

This is a beautiful poem about embracing the all of ourselves. All of our lives, the laughter and the sorrow serve us to move forward into awareness.