Contentment

Right now, in this moment, in this time of my life, I am content.

I have been surrounded by people I love during the most wonderful, loving, happy, giving,  joyful time of year. I feel gratitude for the people I am blessed to have in my life and for the experiences I am given.  I feel loved by my family, friends, and my Heavenly Father. I feel the love of Christ, and I know I am supposed to help others feel that love He has to offer them. Contentment. Peace and rest to my soul.

Christmas Eve with the Summers family

Jack watch, Matt boots

Meg got a boxer blankie

My sweet gandmother

The traditional watching of A Muppet Christmas Carol

My mom and dad

Stockings on Christmas morning



Stitch

In all my contentment I understand that things will change. Life comes at you fast. Problems arise, health fades, opportunities differ. So I am clinging to the contented moments and putting them away to remember in the harder ones. And giving myself a little advice to soften and clarify the times when I'm not quite so content. In no specific order, this is what comes to mind.

It is critical to my spirit to search for Light-in everyone, in everything. It may be buried, it may be weak, but it's there if you look for it. It can change everything.

Understanding the difference between true judgments and personal opinions, values and insights can save more hurt feelings than just about anything else. So many times we assume we are being judged when someone voices something different from what we are thinking/doing/believing. We are usually judging ourselves harder than any one else could.

Love is the answer, really and truly. It strengthens, it heals, it brings understanding and peace. It gives continually without taking anything away. It grows when shared. It saves.

Someone else's achievements do not diminish my own. Everyone deserves the chance to grow, gain strength, and be blessed.

A beautiful outside cannot make your inside beautiful. Inner beauty radiates outward. Inner beauty can make anyone beautiful. I think everyone wants to be beautiful. The good news is, everyone really can.

Every day is a new beginning. Every moment is a chance to change. There's always a silver lining. There's always a way to see light.

Happy New Year!



(I wish for) Joy to the World and other Christmasy Things

As a connoisseur of all things Christmas,  I have delighted in the small,  simple,  wondrous things of the season.  I've loved singing hymns in church, watching Christmas movies with my family, and hearing the kids in my elementary school choir belt out Christmas carols to a packed auditorium. I've reveled in the magical smells of balsam and gingerbread.  I've enjoyed the decorations set out in my community and in the homes of my neighbors. I've loved giving gifts as well as hugs. The lights, the music, the goodwill, the treats, the atmosphere, the nativities...these things and more are what make Christmas for me!

My living room ceiling that Meghan "Buddified"
(see ELF the movie)

"My" elementary school choir

While I've been soaking in Christmas spirit, time has kept on moving-with all the stresses and craziness that life can bring.  I've let it affect me every now and again.  I've fretted and worried, I've stressed and obsessed. I've discussed life with others who are feeling stressed too. Inevitably I am then reminded  by well-meaning souls how much stress the holidays bring.  My first reaction is: WHAT? HOLD the phone!  SHUT the front door! I LOVE the holidays.  They are what's keeping me going!

Our gazebo that Chad got all Christmased up for me

After my initial shock wears off,  I can see where this feeling comes from.  If your plate is already full, the pressure of providing a perfect Christmas seems daunting even to the well prepared, and I am usually well prepared. But like many other things in life,  we have a chance to choose not what happens to us but where and how we will let it affect us. I almost lost my father last week. It was scary, and people kept asking if I would be able to celebrate Christmas if I lost him. I would. Christmas is about Christ and I would need Him more than ever after such a devastating loss. Would it have been hard without my dad? You're darn tootin it would, but dad would expect to me to carry on and find the joy in what the season is about. He'd be watching down on me, celebrating right along with me. Dad is still here and I'm more grateful than I can convey. I got a Christmas miracle! It only makes me more determined to seek Christmas joy and find meaning in all of it.

My wonderful parents

Dad before his Christmas miracle

Today I sat in on a wonderful history lesson about World War 2 that incorporated student activities as well as Christmas music. The reason for some of the carols we hear this time of year was taught to the classes  and the stories behind these beloved songs were exactly what I needed to hear to keep the Christmas Spirit flowing strong. Christmas is not stress to me. It is  rest from everything worldly and troublesome. It is joy, it is love, it is meaningful.   I intend to enjoy it to the fullest.

You Said It!

 I love, love, love this time of year. It makes me emotional. I'm out of  words right now. I feel so much, and it's all over the map depending on the event at hand. But I want to express. So this is how I'll do it. Thank you Pinterest, thank you Facebook, thank you meme-makers, thank you wise, wonderful people. You said just what I meant!