A lot of assorted bits of conversation, sentences I’ve read, and a couple of personal experiences recently are playing in my mind this morning.   As a blogger, I have a responsibility to write something interesting, educational, inspiring or funny on a pretty regular basis, and this time of year makes all of us want to wax philosophical about the holiday season and the ending of another year.   I could go on and on about any number of subjects, but as I sift through all these sound bytes in my head, one very clear message comes through that I want to deliver. 

Give yourself a gift this year - the gift of SELF.  

Here are some examples: 

I just finished perusing a blog of a man named John who is walking from Boston to Washington, DC  to express his belief that the constitutional foundation of our country is being threatened.  It doesn’t matter what your politics are or whether or not you agree with him. He is taking the time, and making the effort, to do something that he believes in with all his heart and mind.  Considering that it is December in the Northeast, and his journey is  cold and perilous, many would say he is crazy.  I say he is truly blessed with a complete understanding of what his life is all about and has summoned the courage to ”walk his talk” as he puts it.  John is giving himself a gift of SELF.    (If you want to read about him, go to http://www.marchinmyname.org/)

The next example is a colleague who called to chat this week.  This man and his family have been through some challenging times in the last 18 months and they are now going about the task of putting their lives and livelihoods back on track.  Last summer he had agreed to be part of a group project and the rest of us were looking to him for leadership.  But in the meantime life has happened to him as it does to all of us.  He has realized that in order to be true to himself he needs to change direction one more time.  He will not have the time or inclination to work on the project and he is feeling badly about that.  My answer was to say, “you need to take the time to be whatever you need to be right now.”  Sometimes we just need to stop and re-trench - give ourselves the gift of SELF knowledge.  

An then from a personal experience…..On Saturday, a local town was celebrating an annual festival and I had organized a group of friends to meet for dinner and then to share the  festivities together. After spending the afternoon with my grandsons,  I proceeded to the appointed meeting place.  Thirty minutes later no one else had showed up.  I will admit that I was irritated for a few minutes. I stood on the cold sidewalk thinking that I should just go home and do Christmas stuff but something stopped me.

 I went on into the cafe and ordered the soup and sandwich special. The place was packed so I asked to share a table with two other women - strangers. We enjoyed 30 minutes of interesting conversation together and exchanged cards when we left.  Then I ventured back out onto the cold Main Street and wandered the sidewalk watching an amazing group of street entertainers.  A sign in the local bookstore advertised a special sale for the evening only - all books were $3.98!  I headed into the warmth of the shop and spent almost an hour scanning the titles in my favorite sections and left with a bag full of treasures.  By then it was time to join the street parade so I eased into the crowd of dancers and drummers and strolled my way laughing and singing back to my car. 

 I could have gone home hungry and disappointed. I should have finished my Christmas shopping and gotten some baking done I guess.  But instead I decided to enjoy a pleasant evening at the festival I wanted to attend.  It helped that I have finally learned to (1) feel comfortable being by myself  (2) enjoy the company of strangers  (3) be spontaneous with my plans and  (4) not be upset that the others had changed their minds.  I have learned to give myself the gift of SELF enjoyment and I came home relaxed and happy.  

And the last example is a new acquaintance who is a very talented writer, college professor, scientist and all-round versatile woman who has led a fascinating life.  I look forward to learning something new every time we get a chance to talk.  She announced yesterday that she is headed to a friend’s cabin in the southern hills of Indiana for a three month sabbatical alone to write a book.  She is giving herself the gift of SELF in solitude to be creative.  I am envious and I will miss her, but I can’t wait for the revelations that I know will be forthcoming when she returns. 

So, I will say the proverbial Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and Have a Wonderful Holiday Season to all of you.

 But most of all I wish that each of you can find some way to pause, for whatever period of time, to listen to your inner voices, feel the desires of your heart and to express your SELF, quietly or aloud, in a way that brings you joy.   

 Namaste

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