Christmas Can be Fun
11/02/07
As a child, Christmas was definitely a great
time. Presents, presents, and more presents – the words were interchangeable.
We had our little duty to perform on Christmas Eve and that was the
midnight service at church. Other than that we were free to imagine all the
possibilities under the tree.
I came from a poor family where we fought each other and the dog for
table scraps. But when it came to Christmas, Santa came through. We did without
throughout the year, but mother stepped up to the plate and outdid herself at
Christmas. We were not often disappointed, except for one thing that has left me
scarred for life - I DID NOT GET MY LIONEL ELECTRIC TRAIN SET. I grew up
dysfunctional and disillusioned because of that. That’s my story and I’m stick’n
to it.
Of course for most of us it is both a stressful time and a special and
delightful time. As I grew up and moved farther away from my family, Christmas
time became a time of anger, I became hypocritical of others and often made
sarcastic remarks about them or the season. I was projecting my resentment onto
others (mostly because I didn’t get my Lionel Electric Train Set) and
embittered, I turned away from Christmas.
Later I started celebrating it alone but only for the ceremony and the
presents. The big thing was to find the present I could get for myself, I was
always good to myself at Christmas. I decided to start shopping early and found
that in doing so I was not as angry as when I shopped on the 24th.
Christmas for me as with others was basically a one day event that sometimes
extended to New Years and was a time away from work. Even under a flag of truss,
I believe that there would be bodies if the family ever found themselves within
arms reach of each other. A time of peace – I don’t think so!
As a celebration of peace, Christmas left me cold. It is not possible to
feel peace for one day when your heart and mind is not at peace. It seemed
hypocritical for me to push aside the negative feelings I had about the people
who were being hypocritical this time of year. So I decided to make some
personal changes.
I now celebrate Christmas (the spirit of Christmas) 365 days a year. I am
good to myself most of the time and often share it with others when the
opportunity comes up. Although I still have my moments, I allow them and then
refocus. I have many years of negativity that sometimes get in the way; however,
awareness has found ways for me to deal with them. I am at peace most of the
time, and even when I’m not, I don’t criticize myself, I celebrate the peace
that will come.
Today, I still don’t celebrate Christmas, but I find a lot of joy
watching others as they prepare for the season. They are constant reminders of
what I love about myself and some of the things that I would like to change.
Christmas is not so much a time of peace, but a demonstration of what
peace could be like. It is certainly something that we can aspire to by
incorporating peace in our lives every day.
You will find me having breakfast Christmas morning at Denny’s along with
several others who are relaxed and have peace written all over their faces.
Roy is a resident of British Columbia, Canada. An international published author, a student of NLP, spiritual philosopher, New Age Light Worker, Teacher and Phenomenologist. Roy's books and articles are thought provoking, and designed to empower your imagination.
Review Roy's new book at: http://www.yourlifewasnevermeanttobeastruggle.com
