Zen View
by Mary Layton
The holiday season is here again and everyone is extra busy with shopping, cooking, cleaning and projects around the house. Finally we can set aside time for close, as well as distant, family members, friends and colleagues and have a good time. Whether you are surrounded by many or only a few people, by your pets or are alone during the holidays, the whole experience can still be overwhelming and personally challenging. Whatever the case may be, it’s all about how you set your mind. It’s always better to remember the things that we can be grateful for. As we look back on 2015, everyone has probably gone through some negative and some positive things. Keep the focus on the good stuff. Surprise yourself this holiday season and do something you normally would not do. Personally, I enjoy walking in one of the many beautiful parks in our area. The brilliant fall colors of our Modesto city trees are amazing! Seeing trees and the sky uplifts the spirit. Moving through the crisp air is stimulating and totally invigorating. Out of nowhere a good thought may come to enlighten you and cheer you up. It’s gotten pretty cold lately, but nothing compared to other parts of the country.
Finally we got some rain. Thank God! In between storms we get beautiful sunny weather. We are lucky indeed. Still in a funk? How can you turn it around? Put candles around the house for a warm atmosphere. Just don’t forget to blow them out. Listen to music; it soothes the soul. People need love and warmth and that is what Christmas and the holiday season is about. Getting gifts for people or receiving them is only one way of experiencing love. There are many other ways to feel and express our innate and most essential asset : Love. Love is giving of yourself. Coming out of your reserve. Aside from celebrating the birth of Christ, why not celebrate your own life as well? Loving and caring for yourself and focusing on the positive will connect you to feelings of love.
A Chinese proverb says: “We earn a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give.”
Merry Christmas, everyone! Make it the best ever; make it special.
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