Christmas Presence

The Solstice is behind us and Christmas is rapidly approaching. This time of year is always the most difficult season for me to stay rooted in the present moment. The short days and long nights upset my sun-seeking, biological rhythm and the stress and anxiety around traveling and Christmas activities, exacerbate the rhythmlessness.

It’s like there is not enough daytime. The season comes with a few other perturbances that effect the rhythm too. My metabolism goes into a lull this time of year, which leads to, low energy, a weakened immune system and digestive issues, (maybe it’s from all the cookies). Bears might have the right idea – just hibernate until Spring.

Snowbirds

Birds have perhaps the best plan for winter, just fly South and find a nice warm beach to hang out on – I wonder if they listen to Jimmy Buffet and Bob Marley on their southerly migration. We attempt to emulate the birds but we never make it further South than the Texas Gulf Coast. That’s where our grandkids live, so that’s where we want to be at Christmas time.

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” ~ Bob Hope

But even though it’s in the mid-seventies, (the perfect temperature) and I’m hanging out in shorts and sandals in the warm Texas sunshine, it takes some time to get into the rhythm. “Island Time,” is a term that get’s used a lot on the barrier islands of the Gulf Coast and while it conjures up an easy-going, live-in-the-moment vibe, and I love the attitude, it takes a few days to downshift into that, in-the-moment gear.

Then there’s the most important time of all to consider which plays a major role during the holiday season; “Happy Family Time.”

“If you think you are enlightened, go and spend a week with your family.” ~ Ram Dass

I think the point Ram was making is, if you think you’re enlightened, you’re not; and if you need proof, go spend a week with your family. The old patterns and triggers show up, along with the emotions that are attached to them, and it becomes apparent pretty quickly that you’re a long ways from enlightenment.

The Gift of Gratitude

Gratitude is the target Vickie and I aim at this time of year. Through all the triggers, patterns and emotions that show up during the season, we coach and guide each other to focus on Gratitude.

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

Gratitude helps keep us anchored to the present moment and that’s valuable. Connecting awareness to the here and now curtails the stress, anxiety and depression that manifests when we’re absent. The real beauty of being present is that it includes all possibilities – being open to whatever is happening, right now.

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.” ~ Bill Keane

Being absent leaves only a single possibility. When you’re absent, you’re removed from the world of all possibilities and dwell in the closed world of your own thoughts and memories. Your mind-created simulation of reality is all you have. In a world filled with distractions, staying present is easier said than done. Gratitude is a strong anchor to the present moment.

Anchors Away