The Spirit of the Holidays
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Dear Community,
I’ve been stuck on the newsletter this week. In one facet Christmas time is magic, joy, and love… In another, I’m a tired parent of little kids at home, waging a war against Omicron and flying Matchbox cars.
This week I’ve really been absorbing the wise words of others to help carry me through this strange holiday season of 2021 and remembering a greater meaning through it all.
TOOLS
In leaning on others as a tool, I have a few of my own influencers whom I devote my precious time to listening and hearing from, who you too may enjoy:
Dan Rather and The Steady. He’s in his 90s and his perspective and grace about the news are so comforting…like a grandparent who sits you down and tells you, “It’s all going to be okay” while also delivering sobering information.
Shauna Niequist. She has a new book coming out in April, but in the meantime, she drops spiritually fueled nuggets on Instagram for these times.
Yung Pueblo. He has a weekly newsletter of thoughts in case you do not see his posts online or have his books. His ability to validate collective experience is beautiful.
Gabby Bernstein. She has a weekly podcast, Dear Gabby, and I find it lighthearted and full of quick practices to pull me back into my center.
Jessica Grose on Parenting. Her anecdotal and often deadpan humor offers relief for parents through a weekly newsletter via NY Times.
GRATITUDE
In times like these, when we have no anchor, we are a tornado to ourselves and others. We operate out of fear and fury in desperation to hold onto anything that might allow us to feel safe.
For many people, belief in something bigger than themselves: God, the Universe, Mother Nature, Humanity, Karma… allows us to restore our sense of peace.
But we’re in a polarized, politicized environment. I’ve noticed during this difficult time that actually people have discredited Faith and subsequently abandoned trust in something bigger than ourselves. Cynicism instead of hope has been omnipresent.
INNOVATION
It’s a hard truth, but it is due to my privilege that I get to feel cynicism and have the freedom to numb or panic when my feelings get dark and slip into despair.
So many people across the world are simply surviving. They do not have time or space to dwell on the future nor practice steady cynicism. So many people just are needing to make it through.
I know a lot of you feel that way, but when you take a wider lens, simply your opportunity to read this newsletter on an electronic device is a blessing many would be so grateful for. One staggering statistic to drive home a greater perspective is that due to Covid, over 13,000 children have lost their only in-home caregiver this year.
This quote from Dan Rather hit me immensely when reading:
It is especially incumbent on those of us of privilege to not choose a path of hopelessness or disengagement. Think of those who have no choice but to fight daily just to live, or live in dignity.
I recognize that proclamations of hope can sometimes descend into pollyannaish banalities. But I also contend that to choose cynicism is itself an abdication of our responsibilities to our communities and to future generations.
In challenging times, examining our privilege and then our individual role to foster hope is an essential ingredient to our collective resilience.
FEELS
So this holiday season, I’m actively choosing to feel hope. Regardless of the surrounding events, I cannot abandon the power that MY hope has to heal.
One tangible way to do that is to drop into empathy. When I feel into the experiences of others and when I try to understand someone’s feelings, then a connection is fostered. To not feel alone and to know someone cares is transformative, healing, and fundamental to hope.
For some, that “someone” who offers empathy and grace is a God. For others, it’s a kind neighbor, a loving partner, an employer, a child, or a pet. Remember to be that “someone” to someone else because that is when we really start to make a difference.
Humanity with an anchor of security and trust is a humanity that comes together to repair.
My deepest offerings of peace, joy and so much gratitude this holiday season to each of you. I’m incredibly, profoundly honored you spend your time with me and these newsletters. I’m humbled by your support through this last year to the entire Reset team.
Hugs and holiday cookies… see you in the New Year.
Click here to learn more about therapy for grief.
