Beneath the stress and chaos of the holiday season you can find the magic. This is a time to rejoice and attend to matters of the heart. Here are my favorite ways to experience the holidays…
Cherish the gift of family. We celebrated two weddings – one for Steve’s youngest Amber and Zach and my youngest James and Lauren. This is a year of new beginnings for them. With children in Vermont, Phoenix, Minneapolis and Madison – they will all be in our hearts if not in person.
Revel in the exquisite beauty of cold and snow – I just got back from Phoenix. I missed the snow, the crispness of the air, the changing of the season. Remember to admire the sparkle, the uniqueness of every snowflake. Living in Wisconsin brings the snow. The snow refreshes the world. It covers it with a delicate white blanket, creating a clean slate with a crispness that demands our attention. Take a walk and catch a snowflake on your tongue.
Share the warmth. Give a hug, one gesture translates into a thousand words. Sit around the fireplace and listen to the crackle of a fire. Share a warm hot meal with friends and family or bring Uncle Mike’s cookies to your next gathering and savor the deliciousness.
Give a donation. Find a worthy charity and share what you have. There is always someone who is worse off than you; take action and improve someone’s day.
Remember to smile – when you smile the whole world smiles back.
Take time to discover and absorb the magic. It could be as simple as a child’s smile, the gentle touch of a grandparent, the laughter of your friends or the love of the cookies.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Mary Guldan-Lindstrom
