Come Home for the Holidays
by JoAnne Dodgson
Imagine what it'd be like if the only gift that you shared
this holiday season was you. There'd be no shop-til-you-drop.
No wrapping paper, ribbons and bows. No maxing-out credit
cards or carefully counting loose change to determine how
much you can afford to spend. What would it be like to simply
share the gift of being you? And who is the you that you’d
share?
It's so easy to leave ourselves behind in a frenzied holiday
rush, trying to wrap our love up with ribbons, light our
lives up with candles, and search for belonging in crowded
events. We can end up overwhelmed and exhausted, wondering
where all the magic went. As the new year rolls around,
we make fervent vows to, once and for all, change our ways,
only to realize that soon we’re caught up once again
in the sameold same old. Blinded by the belief that happiness
is somewhere out-there, we easily ignore what’s ready
to be discovered if only we’d take a look inside.
So
come home for the holidays. The holidays are a beautiful
time to unwrap the bindings and step out of the boxes which
confine us. We can let go of the shoulds and supposed-to’s
which weigh us down and keep us hidden and hiding. We can
untangle ourselves from longstanding legacies, honoring
what has been, and bring what it is deeply nourishes us
into the here and now.
Setting aside our own and others’ expectations, we’re
able to more clearly see our choices. Reaching beyond old
wounds and past regrets, leaving behind the if-only’s
and could-have-beens, we can explore the mysteries and magic
of all the seasons of our lives as we walk our chosen path.
There's boundless compassion and joy that live within each
of us. There's unconditional love to be shared all around.
So come home for the holidays. Embrace the beauty and magic
of your own soul. Awaken all that's waiting to be discovered,
right there inside you. What do you love? Rediscover your
passions. What do you really want? Reclaim your vast inner
knowing. How do you choose to celebrate the holidays? What
gatherings, rituals, foods and traditions are nourishing
for your soul? Let your holiday celebrations authentically
reflect who you are. Be creative. Enjoy the adventure. Remember
to play. Create sacred space this holiday season. Share
the spectacular gift of simply being you.
Copyright © 2005 by JoAnne Dodgson
Dr. JoAnne Dodgson is a healer, teacher and author (Gifts
of the Grandmother and Cocooning) whose unique healing work
with individuals and groups is centered in the ancient tradition
Ka Ta See, "living in balance from the heart."
JoAnne's writings include medicine stories and five books: Unleashing Love, MoonDance Journal, Walking the Spiral Path, Gifts of the Grandmother, and Cocooning.
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