Mark’s Onesie Says it ALL… Is 2020 a Year of Positive Elf Magic or the Negative Sass and Spice of the Grinch? It’s All About Perspective!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Yesterday Mark decided to have fun and wear his elf onesie as we walked and ran some special errands. As we left the building, our friend Karen stopped to chat and asked if he was wearing his Grinch outfit. We did a double take and started to laugh explaining it was an elf outfit but that she made a good point given he did look like the green grinch. Ironic as Mark struggles with Christmas. Often, he can be heard saying, “Bah humbug!” and finds the season is a time of lost perspective. It drives him crazy to see the over emphasis of materialism and the gushing googling giddiness of love on one day of the year (while the rest of the year many people are wrapped up in self absorbed behavior ignoring others or just being downright nasty). He finds the repetitive Christmas music irritating and the frenetic shopping unsettling. This year though, I found that he seemed more relaxed, playful and somewhat held back on his negative commentary. Seeing that there is a strong tone of keep the season on the downlow, is the Elf King feeling relieved that maybe this year we are returning to the true spirit of Christmas, compassion not chaos?
For a number of years, we have stripped back the hype of Christmas in our family. We started with decorating less. As the boys hit their late teens, they have been working in industries that have required them to work over the holidays. Both our families were somewhat more casual and flexible with celebrations, that slowly we evolved into traveling over the holidays either with the kids or alone, (the therapeutic walking on the beaches of Florida certainly healed this teacher’s soul). Hence, seeing our traditions are simpler, possibly we are less shocked with the change of expectations and routines imposed by Covid? This year I find there is a clarity and calm energy. Is it me social distancing or is the energy in our world calmer and more compassionate?
Everything has a yin and yang or a positive and negative side. Covid has delivered chaos, calamity and anxiety, however, we have a choice to ruminate on this negativity or we can choose to look for the positive aspects. Covid has challenged us to go within and soulfully reflect on our values and priorities. We have been asked to compassionately act with others in mind, whether it is masking or reaching out to those alone and vulnerable. We are being required to intensely exercise discernment on multiple levels, calling upon courage, self-discipline, and open-mindedness. Some of us have found our worlds shrinking (physically), while others have found their worlds expanding (virtually). Covid has taught us what it really means to be empathetic not just sympathetic. A seismic shift! Ironically Covid has shown us how to thrive, survive and share. Let’s take these Covid Christmas gifts in repairing and building a global community rooted in love…. inch by inch in positive perspective and action.
Thank you, friends, for reaching out. Our walks and/or your words of encouragement, support, sharing of creativity and resources have been greatly appreciated. I’m actually grateful to have experienced this pandemic, as in its physical destruction, there is great energetic healing taking place.
Pandemic, Positive and Purposeful Videos:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Mark’s Onesie Says it ALL… Is 2020 a Year of Positive Elf Magic or the Negative Sass and Spice of the Grinch? It’s All About Perspective!
Yesterday Mark decided to have fun and wear his elf onesie as we walked and ran some special errands. As we left the building, our friend Karen stopped to chat and asked if he was wearing his Grinch outfit. We did a double take and started to laugh explaining it was an elf outfit but that she made a good point given he did look like the green grinch. Ironic as Mark struggles with Christmas. Often, he can be heard saying, “Bah humbug!” and finds the season is a time of lost perspective. It drives him crazy to see the over emphasis of materialism and the gushing googling giddiness of love on one day of the year (while the rest of the year many people are wrapped up in self absorbed behavior ignoring others or just being downright nasty). He finds the repetitive Christmas music irritating and the frenetic shopping unsettling. This year though, I found that he seemed more relaxed, playful and somewhat held back on his negative commentary. Seeing that there is a strong tone of keep the season on the downlow, is the Elf King feeling relieved that maybe this year we are returning to the true spirit of Christmas, compassion not chaos?
For a number of years, we have stripped back the hype of Christmas in our family. We started with decorating less. As the boys hit their late teens, they have been working in industries that have required them to work over the holidays. Both our families were somewhat more casual and flexible with celebrations, that slowly we evolved into traveling over the holidays either with the kids or alone, (the therapeutic walking on the beaches of Florida certainly healed this teacher’s soul). Hence, seeing our traditions are simpler, possibly we are less shocked with the change of expectations and routines imposed by Covid? This year I find there is a clarity and calm energy. Is it me social distancing or is the energy in our world calmer and more compassionate?
Everything has a yin and yang or a positive and negative side. Covid has delivered chaos, calamity and anxiety, however, we have a choice to ruminate on this negativity or we can choose to look for the positive aspects. Covid has challenged us to go within and soulfully reflect on our values and priorities. We have been asked to compassionately act with others in mind, whether it is masking or reaching out to those alone and vulnerable. We are being required to intensely exercise discernment on multiple levels, calling upon courage, self-discipline, and open-mindedness. Some of us have found our worlds shrinking (physically), while others have found their worlds expanding (virtually). Covid has taught us what it really means to be empathetic not just sympathetic. A seismic shift! Ironically Covid has shown us how to thrive, survive and share. Let’s take these Covid Christmas gifts in repairing and building a global community rooted in love…. inch by inch in positive perspective and action.
Thank you, friends, for reaching out. Our walks and/or your words of encouragement, support, sharing of creativity and resources have been greatly appreciated. I’m actually grateful to have experienced this pandemic, as in its physical destruction, there is great energetic healing taking place.
Essential, I pray that this word has opened eyes and hearts , and that we never forget , long after the panademic is gone, what and who is really essential.
Namaste Shelly! You are so wise. Yes, let’s hope we never forget. Thanks for your reflections ❤️
Good thoughts! I think that Mark is right. People have been negative and nasty so thank goodness many have stopped to show a little kindness during Christmas time. We were sad to not be able to do all our usual traditions but Christmas was a more peaceful, quiet time and we did, in fact, enjoy the less frantic running around. Presents were bought and wrapped ahead of time, cards and messages sent, calls made and still time to take walks and read books!! A first for sure. It may become our new normal. Let’s hope we have all learned from this!
Great thoughts! Thank you for your input! Let’s hope that the holidays will shift to be more peaceful and grace filled. Namaste Marnie!