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Each year I get so excited about decorating for Christmas, I absolutely love the lights, the glow, the believing of what is possible, what is beautiful and peaceful. As quickly as holidays come and go, it’s a time to slow down even more, to be more mindful of our intentions, actions and how we share time and love with those in our lives. During the holidays especially, I wanted to share a little light from my heart to yours.
A couple weeks ago I was in Portland Maine for the weekend visiting with a friend, enjoying the Christmas festivities, and all the decorations. We were walking down a street, it was evening time, there were people mingling, and we were going shop to shop while visiting when a beautiful blonde woman cozied up in her winter garb came upon us. She simply asked, “would you share any money with me I'm trying to get home to see my family for Christmas?”. The woman was unassuming and beautiful, maybe a little wear on her face, a little tear in her clothes here and there, but someone looking for love and kindness. Instead of just giving her the money I asked her where she was planning to go - asked her who she wanted to go see. I asked her if she was going to visit her parents and she said “I'm going to go visit my aunt”.
The story this woman is living at Christmas time, walking down a bustling street in Portland, thinking about how she was going be able to see her family, specifically wanting to see her aunt, brought about thoughts and memories for me. Maybe this woman’s mom and dad, her parents and family are gone, maybe they don't live in the area, she could be estranged from her family - I thought through a handful of scenarios she might be facing. Of course, I said absolutely, I will give you any cash I have - I don't really usually carry cash so it was a very limited amount, but she said thank you and we each went on our way, different directions on the street. What I remember so vividly about that moment, was my friend first turning to me and saying that was so nice of you. I remember replying I love the holidays and I really want to see people happy, but I think what really resonated with me, and what I shared with my friend, was that I would give anything to go visit with my mom and dad right now and no amount of money would allow me to do that, and that hurts, and I'm sad - but happy at the same time because there is so much to be grateful for in my life. It is the light right in front of us that we look to, to keep us positive and hopeful, focused on the possibilities, believing in all that is good - and that's exactly what I do each day.
When I talk about the lights on the tree or the lights of Christmas being similar to light in our hearts, it's a story similar to the interaction with the woman walking down the street in Portland - I wanted to help her be able to see her aunt and fill her heart with something bigger and more beautiful, more possible, because it made my heart a little bit closer to my parents too.
As we go into the Christmas weekend, I'll be wishing good cheer, love, and peace to all of those I love, those I am an acquaintance with, people that I don't know that I might walk by. Believing the light we share impacts others so deeply. Each week when I teach my yoga classes, I end the practice by sharing a simple intention with my students “may you take the compassion and the kindness we've created together in this space, with you into the rest of the evening or day, the rest of the week sharing it with those around you, making the world just a little bit better.
What I hope for you this holiday season, is that you find the calm, peace and the bright light in your heart - alike the beautiful lights of the tree, and have a lovely holiday - in the most simplest way.