I love snow! I really do and the weather is more like spring the last few days. I don’t know if I should be decorating Easter eggs or continue to wrap presents.

I am a creature of my environment and I find that the weather plays into how I feel. Writing the Christmas Chronicles in 45 degree weather is so strange to me. I prefer my like 20 degrees. Only because it it Christmas.

But, trying to go with the flow, I am embracing the 45 degrees and hopeful snow will come for Christmas.

Many Christmas Blessings,

Lisa

The holiday season can bring added stress and anxiety to people from all of the additional events, the shopping, the baking, perhaps the flu and even the financial impact to make the season bright. I have realized those same anxieties over the years.

This Christmas season I definitely have scaled back all of the above and tried to make this year as enjoyable as I possibly can. I feel that I have been pretty successful. It was my intention to share a heavy dose of kindness every where I have been. It was this action that reduced the stress and anxiety on the many faces I saw and I had compassion for them.

The most touching complement I received was from the husband of a woman at my local Panera. The woman had to use a walker and was making an attempt to also carry her coffee. I offered to carry her coffee to her table. She politely declined and said she was used to it and thanked me. Her husband then said he hopes that Santa will be good to me. And my reply was “I am not sure about that”. He said, ” Oh, yes, he will be because you are a very kind person.” That touched my heart so deeply. To be viewed in this light by a total stranger. That was a gift in and of itself. Santa comes in many forms and that is a wonderful Christmas Blessing.

Christmas Blessings,

Lisa

        Living in the Midwest my entire life, I cannot imagine not having a snowy Christmas.  I love snow and as time goes by the snowy Christmas’ have not necessarily been present.  But, this year, I may actually get my Christmas wish for snow on the morning of December 25.

        A gift that I requested this year is for my family and I to go on a trail walk on Christmas day if it snows.  I have always wanted to do that and I think Santa may have gotten my request.  Thanks Santa!

Many Christmas blessings,

Lisa

 

        Yesterday, I had a case of the Christmas flu which I was surprised I had caught considering this year’s Christmas preparation has been relatively pretty easy.  Caught it I did and I am a little disappointed that I allowed the Heat Miser of my shopping experience to get to me, but it did.  So now I have to adjust.  Give myself a break.  I know in the past, that I made myself make that Christmas was a spectacular experience at my own expense.  As I have gotten older and wiser, I make sure that I really focus on what Christmas truly means to me and how best can I genuinely share that with the most important people in my life.  My decorations are a third of what they once were, I start shopping and decorating early and mindfully so that I have time to enjoy the season and be prepared for any snafus or illnesses that my creep up.

Yes, I did watch a Hallmark Christmas movie, had a cup of tea and peacefully enjoyed the lit Christmas tree and refocused my energy back to the simple and basic joy of the holiday season and acknowledging the people I love so dearly.

Many Christmas Blessings,

Lisa

  Dare I say it, that was my thought as I was in line at a store today with my girls as well as a majority of the people who live near me.  People were crabby as the Christmas music was piping through out the store.  It was the look of chaos.  I think I may have been one of those crabby people.  I blurted it out you, know that phrase “This is what I dislike about Christmas”.   I felt that people were buying gifts like task masters just to check it off their list, their desire to be in the store was no greater then your everyday dreaded experience.  That negative energy was contagious and I said it.  I just wanted to pay for my 3 items and leave.  Urg, I was not liking how this aspect of Christmas made me feel.

  After checking out, I couldn’t wait to leave and I exited the store into the cold, brisk Midwest chill and found relief.

  I realized that I need a good dose of some Hallmark Christmas movies, some hot tea and a review of my Christmas spirit.  Perhaps that will be my focus for the next few days.

Many Christmas Blessings,

Lisa

        One can tell that I am may not be entirely hip in the world of blogging.  I noticed that the days of my blog and their publish dates have not coincided.  My apologies.

        In the past, I would be bothered by the fact that it is not “perfect”, but this is reality.  I am just proud of the fact that I have been able to produce a blog for each day thus far.  This is a huge accomplishment for me.

        As I reflected on this blogging accomplishment, I wanted to also share that I have been walking a beautiful trail at least once a week.   This is a another huge accomplishment for me because I have difficulty sometimes being consistent.  But, I so love being outside and walking the trail.  I hope that by introducing the Christmas Chronicles and my commitment to writing daily this will transfer over to other areas of my life.  The daily walk.   Perhaps that can be another blog series in January.

        The Blue Bird Writes seems to be presenting me with little gifts each day.  Thank you!

Many Christmas Blessings,

Lisa

        Christmas Cards are very important to me and I can’t wait to sit down and send them to family and friends.   I usually will send a Christmas photo of my 2 daughters, Grace and Abbey.    I have noticed through the years, how more and more people are not sending cards, even when I send one to them.  I just feel that it is an authentic way to say I am thinking of you.  I even decorate the envelopes with cute little embellishments.  I cherish this aspect of the Christmas season.

  We live in a technological society for all it’s benefits of emails and text messages, there is that impersonal aspect of this form of communication.  I am just curious to see if the mailing of Christmas cards will dwindle to a distant memory as the rotary phone!

Many Christmas Blessings,

Lisa

God Wink’s are my favorite things to experience.  It’s that little belief that someone, excuse me, the big dude, the universal one, okay God is thinking of me.

I have not hidden the challenges of how hard it is for me to share my written work in this format.  I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my project of the Christmas Chronicles.  I do look forward to sitting down each day and writing for my blog.

As luck, or a God Wink, would have it, I had to go to the grocery store.  While waiting in line to check out, I was thinking of The Blue Bird Writes and where I would like to take it in the next year.  Will I continue writing the blog or maybe will I stop.  Then as I turned to place my things on the conveyor belt, the next customer was holding a blue bottle of wine.  I love the color blue and noticed that the label had said Bluebird.

 I chuckled to myself.  Pretty ironic, am I right?  So I took it as my sign, my God Wink.  It was meant for me because there are no coincidences in life and I will graciously accept the sign to continue writing. Either that or I should become a wine maker. Not!!!! That would be a disaster.  Merry Christmas Lisa!! I received a Christmas gift early, thanks for thinking of me.

Many Christmas Blessings,

Lisa

 

        Wow, yesterday, was pretty draining for me and I am so glad another day is upon me.  I don’t know how much compassion we show to ourselves or how much self care we practice.  But, that is exactly what I needed to do yesterday and today.  I took my time with mindfulness and no self judgement with getting everything done that I needed.  I was still slowly recovering for all of yesterday’s emotions and just wanted to give myself as much self love as one could give.  

        How we approach the setbacks in our days is critically important.  I have always felt you have to go through whatever it is your are dealing with. Even if it’s hard and draining. But, for me, I find that it has to be done with non judgement, self compassion mindfulness, self love, meditation and with some silence.  The landing is a little softer for me with these attributes.  

        Today was a day of gentleness and easing myself back into the Christmas season because there is much to be grateful.  

Many Christmas Blessings,

Lisa