Releasing, (Re)leasing the Holiday Spirit: 'tis the Reason for the Season, a pause in the (Re)action.

Part 1: A walk back in time, in the moment, paying forward: All this, to appreciate the full backdrop for various holidays, including those we ostensibly cherish the most, but end up distressed, burned out (no wonder when even when tuning into a "smooth jazz" station this morning, one of the first commercials encouraged us to "Celebrate early and often!" rather than..."Pause, enjoy each moment, reflect, breathe easy..." And this, to learn how to pace ourselves even as we celebrate a BIG holiday which may eventuate in depleted energy, funds, other resources as we prep for others throughout the coming year...This, all prompted unexpectedly by reviewing and then (re)"signing on the dotted line" (solid actually), to re-lease my office space for the coming year, frequently a prompt as to how long I have been in this space, how fortunate I am to have it so close to home (especially if I have forgotten my phone on occasion, or other less important items such as my wallet)...the "terms and conditions" for occupying this space, (re) clarifying the nature of the relationship between my landlord and I, as well as a reflection on how to best utilize this space in the coming year. I'm sure you all can relate, as you look back, try to appreciate the moment, and look forward, take stock in what you have taken stock, your various relationships, investments (of all types). Yep, all this prompted by a simple stroke of the pen. And what ends up being enough to break it into two parts...

(Dis)attracted by the Lights, lighten up: If you bother to glance, take the chance, to look, walk around town, peer into every window, shop, places of worship...you can't help being struck by bright lights. Yes, every major holiday coinciding with this time of year seems, on the surface, to be a celebration of light(s), bright shining lights presented in various color schemes, arrays for effect (which in our own case was rearranged by the force of nature yesterday). Symbolically bringing light to the true nature for the lights, the joy of the moment, the exchange of gifts, good cheer, goodies...goodness. But, if you want to temper your mis-directed enthusiasm that which might inadvertently lead to burnout, feeling distressed, ill-tempered, guilty for pushing back against all those feelings of obligation for having that obnoxious relative over (everybody has at least one, I hope it's not ME!)...When you find yourself comparing your experience with the idyllic "Currier and Ives" and other contemporary artists, marketing gurus, Hallmark moments...the perception that behind all those windows with bright lights, "...everyone else seems to be so happy...families gathering and all, bursting with joy...why am I instead filled with despair, resentment, and then guilt...?" Ugh, ugh, and ugh! (need a hug?). It is useful at these moments, and even when you are at a high, to pause, to reflect on what's behind the reflections of light on the windows and snow, the real reasons for the seasons, the various holidays with which you are attempting to fully engage...

Scenes behind scenes, not what it seems: From what seems to be a great adventure, "...following yonder star..." upon further, serious reflection, on behalf of every major holiday that you and your neighbors, friends, acquaintances are marking this time of year, as well as other milestone moments we mark in our nation, are those that only follow a time of great 'toil and tears', time of captivity, sorrow, darkness...to eventually be followed, due to either great sacrifice, assiduous efforts, an arduous journey...a miracle...a time of bright lights. What a contrast; that's the point. Always useful to reflect on, the historical theatre, while also being in the moment, appreciate the real reason...  

Expecting the Unexpected, what "tis" is all about: Such as in, when in the midst of prepping for a holiday gathering, while getting swept up in the current of what's supposed to be experienced as 'good tidings', the person in question gets a knock at the door, only to find upon opening it, not a Amazon delivery, but someone in need, someone whose story not only revealed they had once been a literal homeowner in this very neighborhood but also who, after a series of misfortunes, found themselves living locally but without the benefit of homeownership, unable to even lease a place of their own for themself and family, eventuating in becoming itinerants, nomadic, voyagers...A story that initially irked the resident in question, who became increasingly impatient, irritated after already becoming agitated with all the prepping...which eventuated in the "...greatest gift of all...a GoFundMe  project which raised money and built local housing/shelters for the type of homeless who came calling" which became his and his family's primary focus through the holidays as well as other months that such forms of giving are not as in season..."A dramatic reminder of how this all began, and how we should really be marking such a holiday..." Yes, the why and the how -- or the how and the why, depending on your order of preference...appreciating and celebrating both the breadth and depth of such moments (which will be brought to you, re-leased, in the next few days, in Part 2).