*gasp!* Surfacing after the holidays

[crowdog66]

Whew! *gasp, pant pant pant*....

A few thoughts, in no particular order:

1) For the cutest Christmas e-card EVER, imho, go to the http://www.hallmark.com site, to the general Christmas catagory, and keep your eye out for "The Nutcrackers' Suite". DANCING SQUIRRELS!!! (A close second is "It's a Groovy Season!", which I also suggest you check out -- DANCING CAT!!!)

2) Hmmm... not a whole lot of turkey in the Christmas cornucopia this year. At my mother's dinner, cold ham and hot roasted chicken breasts; at the in-laws, some turkey, but also hot ham and sweet and sour meatballs. (stuff, stuff, stuff... errrrr, I need a nap! let's hear it for tryptophan, http://www.answerbag.com/q_view.php/1088 ) As usual, plenty of chocolate and cookies and candy canes... but hey! no Christmas cake this year, come to think of it... wah.

3) Sometimes I hate the holidays. I'm under stress as it is dealing with my baseline depression, and more pressure is not what the doctor ordered. I grumble and bitch while running around, shopping, and wrapping, and I dread holiday get-togethers, but once I actually get to a gathering I usually end up feeling pretty good. It's an example of one of the skills I learned in DBT: Do not run away from what you fear, approach it assertively!

4) Via the http://www.witchvox.com/xwrensnest.html site on the Witchvox site, I came across some genuinely positive and accurate articles about Yule... these pages are on Witchvox and include links back to the original articles as well as commentary:

"Wiccans Celebrate Birth Of A Different God"
http://www.witchvox.com/wren/wn_detaila.html?id=8776

"The Meaning Of Yule"
http://www.witchvox.com/wren/wn_detaila.html?id=8760

"Pagans Add Yule Log To The Fire"
http://www.witchvox.com/wren/wn_detaila.html?id=8752

"Area Pagans Honor The Darkest Day Of The Year With Ceremonies"
http://www.witchvox.com/wren/wn_detaila.html?id=8758

"Whatever It Is You're Celebrating, Happy Holidays"
http://www.witchvox.com/wren/wn_detaila.html?id=8755

This one is so lovely that I'm going to reprint it here:

**************

"Whatever it is you're celebrating, happy holidays"
DAN HAYS
Statesman Journal
December 22, 2003

Please accept these greetings as tokens of my best wishes for all my readers during this holiday season:

If you are Christian -- Merry Christmas, and may the joys of the season be upon you. This is a good time to think about the true meaning of Christmas and rededicate yourself to the pursuit of peace and good will.

If you are Jewish -- Happy Hanukkah, and may you think upon the true meaning of the miracle and what it means for all.

If you are Wiccan or of the Earth Mother or follow the Ancient Ways -- May the Solstice bring peace and joy. Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again. Blessed be.

If you are Buddhist, Taoist or Confucian -- Meditate upon the true meaning of human peace and give a thought to brethren who do not follow the way.

If you are Muslim -- May Allah direct your path. Reread the text and find its message of peace and brotherhood.

If you are Hindu -- May Lord Vishnu smile upon you and your Path be a short one. Say a blessing for us all -- we need it.

If you are agnostic or atheistic-- please give a thought to your fellow travelers on this Earth. It does not take religious faith to value love and peace.

Always remember weíre in this together. It is our choice to hate. So choose not to. Settle in with the Earth and live a life of joy.

**************

Comments

[eastpath.livejournal.com]

Hey girl... I have Mondays and Tuesdays off... other days I work at 3:30 onward.. what's your schedule in the next while so we can get together for tea/hotchocolate and I can give you your gift and catch up *hugs*

How would next Tuesday be?

[crowdog66.livejournal.com]

Maybe around 2 pm... Baked Expectations, down here on Corydon, has terrific baked goodies, and we could check out Radiance afterwards... whaddayasay?

Re: How would next Tuesday be?

[eastpath.livejournal.com]

Sure, sounds good to me...

Baked is on Osborne though... we could go to the really awesome bakery on Lilac, that would rule :D

*hugs*

Re: How would next Tuesday be?

[crowdog66.livejournal.com]

Urk! Yes, the one on Lilac is the one I meant -- "Bread and Circuses". *shaking the tinsel out of my brain...*

Re: How would next Tuesday be?

[eastpath.livejournal.com]

*giggles*

I thought as much... I love that place..

however, I just found out that on Tuesday at 2pm I have a dr's appointment...

So, would earlier than 2, or after 2:30 be ok? (my appointments never take that long)

after 2:30 would probably be the better choice, that way I don't have to feel the "i have to be somewhere else soon" pressure...

is that ok?

Re: How would next Tuesday be?

[crowdog66.livejournal.com]

After 2:30 on Tuesday would be fine. Why not call me when the doc's appointment is over and we can arrange an exact time to meet then?

Re: How would next Tuesday be?

[eastpath.livejournal.com]

Sure, I'll come down to corydon and call you to meet you at the bakery :D

*hugs*