The holiday season is here.  Holidays can evoke different feelings such as feelings of cheer, sadness and memories.  We decorated our home this weekend.  Our tradition has been to set up the tree and decorations the day after Thanksgiving.  For myself, I like to do one holiday at a time.  For others, some have the Christmas spirit early and set up decorations in Fall.  We each have our own ways to usher in the holidays.   Some of us like to decorate simply, while others like to have full displays of Christmas cheer.  Black Friday shopping is a tradition for some, while others prefer to on-line shop.  

There’s a sense of wonder at Christmas.  For our boys, there is excitement as December approaches.  They look forward to presents and possibly snow falling.  Even if there is a dusting of snow on the grass, they are outside sledding.  They look at the season with anticipation.

This morning, I had a cup of tea in my joy mug.  My friend gave the joy mug as a gift.  Joy is something we need each day.  When I drink from my  joy mug, it reminds me to look for joy each day.  The sun rising, the kids laughing or a friend’s text bring joy to the day.  Joy is a simple word, but brings forth a sense of cheer.

The holidays bring a time of reflection.  It offers a time to ponder on what is important.  Seeing the lights and hearing the stillness in the air provides time to think about what matters. We seem to go at a fast pace day to day.  We all have responsibilities to do each day.  There seems to be more things added to our lists of errands and to do’s.  In this season, more stress can occur due to the busyness of the season.  

Peace has been the word I have focused on this year.  Each year I pick a word to focus on and peace was the word for this past year.  This year has been a long year, with the current times and reality of these days.  Looking back, I did not know the word peace would be a word I would need throughout this year.

This holiday season may we have a spirit of anticipation.  The current times are difficult, but may we seek to find the bright spots through the lights shining and decorations hung. May we ponder what is important.  May we reflect on the things that bring joy and focus on the good.  May there be peace in the day to day, focusing on what matters.

“Less clutter. More twinkle lights.

Less judging. More accepting.

Less wanting. More giving.

Less stress. More magic.

Less guilt. More peace.

Less hustle bustle.

More silent nights.” (From www.bemorewithless.com)