The Reiki Cafe 

Christmas is a much hyped & commercialized season that can never deliver what all those ads, movies & home shows make you feel you have to have to experience to have a wonderful Christmas ( or whatever you celebrate). Christmas, among other things, is about the birth of hope & joy and sharing with others. For those who are troubled or in unfortunate circumstances these can be difficult times & a phone call or visit or maybe just a smile & handshake or a hug can make all the difference. If you are feeling blue, find someone to talk to or connect with or some way to ignite that feeling of hope. Remember that a post Christmas let down is not unusual. Somewhere in this wide world there is a person who feels like you do & likely more than one person who is in worse shape than you are.

peace & joy,
holobon
P.S. If you can,get out in the sun for awhile & soak up those natural feel good rays!

and invite some friends over for an after holiday pot luck.

:-)

Walk in beauty,
Rebecca

Hello Holobon,
For the past several years, something about December did not seem right to me. Part of it was this big build up to one day of "perfection" and then that let down of emptiness. I think this happens because we are, as a culture, out of sync with the natural rhythm of the season. That natural rhythm is to go inward, venturing deeply into shadow and darkness, and to celebrate this darkness because it is a dramatic backdrop for the light and is beautiful in itself. Excessive partying and materialism keeps our soul from being where it naturally wants to go, and hence, depression sets in. It is our soul trying to get our attention. Do you remember the movie Home Alone? The real place of Christmas was what happened between the boy and the scary old next door neighbor.They discovered they were not alone and that they were not so scary, and that there was a tenderness between them. That is where our soul wishes to go.......each in a dark, lonely place.....and then we, like the characters in the movei, find each other. But we don't truly find ourselves or each other until we are willing to go into the dark. We are so afraid of what we will find we avoid it by shopping, drinking, making loud noise, and trying to fulfill every tradition the tribe has dictated. It is off balance. Not sure I am expressing myself terribly clearly, but it is a truth I have known since I was very young. I used to sit in the darkness with a candle on Christmas Eve and say, "here...in the darkness......here is where God lives." In adult life, I find that spending time with people who touch my heart deeply is very nourishing at this time, and if I must be in places where there is little authenticity, I begin to feel unwell.
I think your post went to the heart of the matter in a very practical way.
Peace and Blessings! May we all find the love in the darkness.
Feather

Dearest Holobon,
Thank you for this post. This the first year I did not have that post Christmas depression.

I did not make myself crazy, I stayed within my limits, and told my kids that we would be celebrating with friends and family and that is what was important to enjoy.

I got sick from some bad fish Christmas Eve, which also happens to be my 19th wedding anniversary. I was so sick all night and Christmas Day that my husband had to take over everything. He even had to open my presents for me as I was too weak. He made the kids stop opening presents when I had to leave the room to be ill. I spent all day going between bed and couch sleeping as much as I could.

My kids said it was the best Christmas they have had as it took so long to open presents and they appreciated the few presents they got more than a pile.

My whole family was wonderful. What I got for Christmas was better than presents (as I only realized today what I was given, I saw my family at their best. Loving.

It feels like Christmas lasted for 3 days instead of just of a few hours of food and unwrapping.

I do not want to ever be so sick again, but I plan on making next year just as wonderful.

Love to you and yours,
Tracey

Sorry you got so sick, but glad your family took that time to nurture you.
We have always opened one present at a time, with everyone present. If someone leaves to get tea, we stop. I like it this way......it makes us really appreciate each other and the thoughts that go into each gift. Have a restful rest of the season!
Love,
Feather