I don’t know about you, but the older I get the faster time seems to pass. Is Christmas coming again already? How is it possible another year has flown by so quickly? The year 2022 is almost here and I was supposed to be older and wiser by now!
Everyone seems to be quite busy these days. If you ask someone how they are doing, you may hear some version of, “I’ve been busy”. For some, being busy is a badge of honor. The busier you are, the better you are…but we know that isn’t true. Busy does not equal productive, and being busy does not lead to a peaceful life. For some of us, if we aren’t busy, we don’t know what to do with ourselves. Free time? What’s that?
I enjoy the Holiday season because it can be a peaceful time, if we so choose. Unfortunately, there is a great deal of pressure at this time of the year. Buying presents, holiday parties, year-end responsibilities, it all adds up. This year we’ve heard that it may be hard to get certain presents because of supply chain issues. I’m sure many parents are panicked about whether they’re going to be able to secure that special gadget for their child that will likely end up in a closet or a basement within a few months. Speaking of which, I should probably get shopping.
However, this Holiday season I am going to be in search of peace. That may be one gift that we all need more than we can imagine. It seems the world has more angst than ever before. We read stories about fights erupting in schools on a weekly basis. Road rage videos make their way through the social media stream like a flood. People seem angrier and ready to fight at the drop of a hat. At this time, more than ever before, I think we could all use a little (or lot) more peace.
As we roll into December, perhaps this Holiday season we can think more about peace. How can we find peace, and how can we share it? Can we look up from our phones for a few minutes and simply breathe? Maybe we can think deeply about our family and friends and the things we cherish most, and remember those who are no longer with us. I’m fortunate to have great memories of family members that are no longer with us, and I think I will look to find peace in those memories. And better yet, perhaps we can share those memories with others, and in that way, we can honor those that we fondly remember. Warm memories provide peace. And this Holiday season, my wish for all of you is to give and receive the gift of peace. May peace be with you.
“Peace is always beautiful.” - Walt Whitman
