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“Trying to plan for the future without knowing the past is like trying to plant cut flowers.”
― David Boorstin
Christmas Traditions
Christmas traditions come in all shapes and sizes. There are those who celebrate on Christmas Eve, celebrations on Christmas Day and yet others on Boxing Day. There are religious traditions and non-religious traditions. What they all have in common is family, or if not family, the gathering together of people. For me, Christmas has always meant family, together, sharing, laughing and having a good time, and for the most part I have been very fortunate.
Christmas has always been a time when people gather together and it has been a time when people try to extend a hand in friendship to others, especially those who have little. It is beautiful offering a hot meal (in cold countries) and something else in hotter climes to those who have little or nothing. The gratitude is palpable and makes the effort worthwhile. To me it’s one of the Christmas Traditions that are worth keeping.
image from http://www.smh.com.au The Salvos helping hand
This year has been a year of change for me. All my previously held family Christmas Traditions have been changed and I’m finding it difficult to adapt quite so easily. For the first time my husband and I had Christmas Day alone, just the two of us. After cooking Christmas dinner for my family for over three decades, it felt – not quite right, as if I was slightly out of sync with the way things should have been.
image from http://www.nationalguard.mil
We spoke to our respective families, those who would or could. Such is family life. My son and his girlfriend had the Boxing Day spread with us and it was a wonderful day. My daughter we spend the day with on Saturday. Yet, the change to my ‘Christmas Traditions’ feels a little alien.
I find myself feeling ashamed by my thoughts. I have so much more than some. Even though things have changed I still have my family. They care enough to spend time with us and laughing over Christmas’ past. This is what Christmas Traditions are all about.
I think of the families separated by distance and cannot be together. I think of the soldiers in other
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countries who cannot be with their families and I think of the people on the street who have nowhere to go. I think of so many things and wonder what has made the difference so pronounced.
Since I start to reflect on the past year once Boxing Day winds down, I look at how the year has progressed and how I have changed. It sounds a little ridiculous to say I had refused to acknowledge I was ill, but that has been truer than I really care to admit. I have fought it, tried by denying it, to make it go away or have less impact and, as a consequence, paid the price. I have reached a point, where I can no longer deny the truth. I now have to be realistic and balance out the various aspects of my life.
By no means is this giving in. As 2013 draws to a close it is time to review everything which has occurred this year. There is time to look at the year and take what has worked well and expand on it; take what has worked sometimes and either improve on it or change it; and those things which have not worked, they need to be looked at and ‘tossed out’ if necessary. Time to start new Christmas Traditions!
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It is only by reviewing the year realistically that I can make 2014 a better year. That means taking the good and making it better and getting rid of what has failed. It’s not simply a case of making “New Year’s Resolutions” because they rarely last long enough to be effective. Rather it is this review process which promotes growth in a positive fashion.
By being willing to throw out those things which are not working I am giving the Universe space to allow those things I am planning, room to grow. My “Life Change Program” has a fifteen point review for me to look at. There are questions which help me to hone in on the successes or the not quite successes, to the things which simply didn’t work. I will use it to make my plan for 2014 so that when the year begins I will have my blueprint ready.
I am going to factor in my health this time, healing time, work time, fun time, anything which will help make 2014 a brilliant year, because, the alignment of the stars tells us that it will be a super year if you are ready to make the most of it. Five days of planning, for my husband and me individually and together, as a couple and for business. Everything we need to have a fabulous and successful year. Then look out 2014, here I come!
image from http://www.lifechange90.com
Blessings for a bright year
Susan x
© Susan Jamieson 2013
image from http://www.alandavis-comicart.com
I’m starting the new year with a review and reflection on what has worked and what hasn’t. Instead of resolutions, I’m also making the year a group of cyclic processes to assess, plan, take action, REPEAT. I’m hoping this will help me find balance in the new year. Good luck with your journey in 2014. I hope we can all find the balance we so desperately need.
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It seems, from what I have been reading, that we are all on the same path. It will be a very interesting yer when we can see how we have all done travelling our separate paths and the changes we have achieved.
Wishing you balance, and much love and joy on your path in 2014. Blessings, Susan x
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Thank you, same to you 🙂
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I have had big changes in Christmas since I got sick. That was in 1994, and I still find myself, as you say, disappointed, at Christmas time. For me, I think it’s just the passing of time and passing into a new age frame for me. That means younger ones do what I once did. I too, am very blessed, but sometimes, I miss what once was. I was in denial about how sick I am for a long time. Now, as I heal some, I still tend to get in denial about how really sick I still am. Blessings to you in the New Year.
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I hear you Kerry. My doctor has a huge sign which I cannot fail to see every time I enter the surgery, “Denial is not a river in Egypt”. it seems like a reprimand each time I go there.
I don’t think my struggle with acceptance is over yet – not for quite a while. Yet the best advice I have been given was “to be gentle with myself”. It’s also very difficult but easier to understand and accept.
So I wish you, ‘gentleness with yourself” as we walk this difficult path.
Blessings always, Susan x
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Thanks, Susan. I always try to remember to be gentle. One time someone said to me, “put away the stick.” Yikes.
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Well said 🙂
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Ahhhh Christmas! A time of incredibly mixed up emotions. So much passion, so much meaning and all different to each person, all getting mixed up and going in so many different directions! A cauldron of feelings, bubbling and boiling away, who knows what will come of it each time?
Personally, I LOVED this one but then, I know I am so blessed!
Ray XXX
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Thank you for your honesty and courage, Susan. Yay you for being willing to assess things realistically and plan for and envision a new year that is even better for you. May your vision be realized and may you enjoy its richness to the fullest, my friend. Xo
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Thank you , your friendship is greatly appreciated and valued. I wish you a full and wonderful 2014 – filled with song and dance and that beautiful feeling of floating through the air as your feet transport you to another realm.
Blessings, Susan x
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Great post Susan. I believe if an old tradition doesn’t work anymore, make a new one. Time will tell if it’s works better or not.
Laurie.
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Wise words Laurie, but then, I know you;’re a wise man.
Love for a wonderful New Year. Susan x
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Thanks Susan, now where’s that star I was following??? 🙂
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Beautiful post Susan. Change is never easy, it challenges us. Fighting it is a lost case as change will occur. It’s better to let go en go with the flow and make the most out of it. Chinese philosophy tells us not to fight the Dao (the way) but to live in harmony with it as there in lies true happines.
Love, Virginie
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Thank you Virginie, your words have struck a chord and reminded me of how little I know of other teachings, I will look into the Chinese philosophy in the New Year,
Blessings always, Susan x
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