The holiday season has always been a magical, caring, and sacred time. For most of my life, it has been the happiest for me as it is here that I felt the most connected to life itself. Ever since I was a child, the vibe of this time has always excited me with a tremendous sense of wonder. I found myself just letting go and embracing the present. Heightened feelings emerged, allowing me to share my joy of this season.
These days my inner child still rejoices. We are ready for the Season with our 4ft table tree and house decorations. My mind is in a state of all is Good, and I find myself feeling extra sparks and light. Christmas is more to me than giving physical gifts; it is being present in the moment and absorbing the holiday spirit, and sharing it with others. I am having a ball, baking goodies to give to my loving friends.
With my mind in Holiday mode, I can feel a sense of peace flow through me as I go out about my day. I am reminded of the Holidays I enjoyed growing up. I remember a few Christmases when we had the wonder of snow falling on the ground. We spent Christmas Eve as a family sitting around our lit Christmas tree and reflecting on goodness and gratitude. The next day after we opened our presents, we went to church and heard the Christmas message.
I learned a lot about caring and hospitality from my aunt. She has a loving touch that reaches out to everyone. Growing up each holiday, she opened her house for friends and family to visit and drop in. Her home had a vibe that made you feel special being there. I carry those fond memories into the present, where I create my own special holidays.
It is these traits I am carrying on. It has been a long road to get to where I am now. I can tell you that despite all this worldly chaos, I can now separate from it and allow my own loving, caring energy to move me forward.
One thing I learned at an early age is to do outreach work with those who need it. The holidays can be a trying time for many, and I want to spread hope by reaching out to them. As a child, my class at school took a field trip to a nursing home one year in December. The people were extremely excited to see us, and immediately, their moods shifted. It meant a lot to me to be there to cheer them up.
Where I grew up, it was frigid in the wintertime, and people had to live outside the best they could. I helped with a soup kitchen in Detroit on several occasions, once in December. I remember smiling at one man, and his entire face lit up like the lit Christmas tree sitting in the corner of the room. I’ll never forget the feeling that followed, knowing I had brightened someone’s day.
I am very excited about Christmas Day this year. We are putting on a picnic for the hungry with our church in a park in North Hollywood, CA, for those who may not be able to get a hot meal that day. I am overjoyed that I am in a great position to be able to help out. I am serving my own homemade pinto beans and white rice, ensuring that vegetarian options are available. I could not imagine spending Christmas Day any other way than to be of service.
Each year we ‘adopt’ a child from a program serving low-income children. We buy our ‘child’ holiday gifts. I also volunteer to wrap the presents because this brings the inner child out. It brings me joy knowing that these kids will experience the receiving part of the Holidays. By doing this, we are further opening the hearts of these children to help spread the love.
This year we plan to visit with the family, and I will be making vegan mashed potatoes and a vegan roast. We plan to arrive early to help my sister-in-law with any last-minute preparations. It means a lot to help make things smoother for others.
I am in a peaceful space, and goodness is calling out to me. Giving and assisting the needy gives me a more profound sense of purpose and allows my heart to touch others lovingly. This is what the season is all about, sharing the love and showing others you care.
The feelings of the Holiday Season extend all year long. When I go out, I look to see who needs assistance, whether someone needs help with the door or letting the person with one item go in front of you at the store. All these acts of kindness add up, and the more I have been doing it, the calmer I have felt.
The good thing to remember is that it is never too late to jump on the caring wagon, no matter what your past looks like. People want to know they are loved, and it doesn’t matter if you don’t know each other. A simple smile or hello sometimes could mean the world to them. Thankfully, the blessing of being able to care for and take action with love in my heart is mine. In turn, I am passing it on. My hope is that soon we all will be able to come together as one and pay it forward to an infinite universal love of divine humanity.
Many blessings to you all this holiday season!