Where is the Holiday Spirit?

By: Mystiblu - [family]

I have been feeling it since December started and I admit I let myself wonder, "Where is the Holiday Spirit?" I asked many people these questions..."Do you feel the Holiday Spirit?" and most said, "No, things just feel different this year," and then I asked "Well, what does Holiday Spirit feel like and where does it come from?" Well, I knew my own answers, but I wanted to hear what others had to say. Ya know, no one could answer my questions!!! I was shocked.

I usually do very little shopping. I get what I want to get and what I feel the person may love and enjoy and that's it. I never fuss or worry about my gifts and if they don't like them, then that's ok too. When I do shop, I sense so much anger and lack of joy that I can barely stand it, even when I shield and protect myself. My husband said, maybe I didn't feel so much joy this year because I feel it so much all the time and to me Christmas is just another day? I said, "No, Christmas Day is the remembrance of Jesus Birth, regardless of my beliefs of the Holidays themselves and I respect that. I have taught my children over the years, the many traditions that keep our Holidays alive and filled with joy. I was dreading the Holidays, mainly because I was sick, but there was more to it. I think I get sick every year. Maybe I really want to avoid all this mess and greed, and take it upon myself. I must change this, now that I am very aware of it.

Christmas morning, I allowed myself to be hurt and bitter about something. I called my Mothers house to say "Merry Christmas" and to check what time we were supposed to be there. She said "Oh we changed the time, its now 1pm, not 2pm." We're about an hour away, so I was glad we got up in time and had most everything done.

I got a bit upset, because I allowed my heart to be hurt that no one even called us to let us know of the change. My family likes to joke and see who is the last one to arrive, because usually the children are anxious to eat so they can open their gifts.

I hung up the phone and told my husband and he was upset too. I almost allowed that one thing to ruin my day. I arrived there, smiled, hugged and had a good day, even when some people were too busy to say hello to me. That hurts, but I will survive. I arrived home that evening, still a bit bitter and hurt, but then as I got to talk to a friend online. I realized... My Mother has been acting a bit different since her only sister has been ill. They didn't think she would even live to see Christmas, much less the New Year.

I then felt a plunk in my heart and tears on my face. How selfish I was to think of my own pain and suffering, when my Mother was suffering silently about her sister and her only living relative, besides her children, husband etc. Her Mother and Father and only brother had passed on. Now her only sister was ill and Ninety years old and it was time to let go, but not an easy thing to do anytime, much less the Holidays.

I immediately spoke to the Angels and Spirit and thanked them for sending my friend to me, that allowed me to express myself and my feelings, and come upon the answers I needed.

Love does conquer all and my love for my Mother and some of my family members was much more important than the petty things I got hurt over. I let them go, and that is when I felt the Spirit of Christmas once again.

I didn't put up a tree this year or decorate my house, but the Spirit of the Holidays and the joy... it came anyway. Just like on the Grinch!! No present could give that joy and peace to me, I already had it tucked inside of my heart, I just had to remember it!!!

Someone shared with me recently that the day after Christmas they went to the stores and they were in shock and saddened by all they saw and heard. They saw greed, hatred and meanness in people's voices and hearts, as they yelled at a dear old woman with a walker who was backing up traffic. They shared that they saw people exchanging gifts for money and taking back presents that many had put their love into, but they didn't care. People were grabbing and shoving, and just not acting like loving human beings at all. The person that shared this with me was asking, "Where has it gone, the Spirit/love of the Holidays?" no matter what you call it or how you celebrate it.

I still stick to what I have said all along, "we get back what we give out" and if I go to the stores and share joy and love, then I know somehow I will get that back, and for those that have lost the true meaning of the Holidays, I just ask the Creator, to remind them or show them somehow... and if its through me, then so be it.

I know it's sad, but we all can make a difference, one person and one heart at a time. ~Happy Holidays and a joy filled New Year~

Copyright: Mystickblue (c) December, 2003 All rights reserved.

About the Author

Fran Hafey is a Spiritual Counselor, Writer, Healer, Earth Activist and Lightworker. She provides guidance and inspiration via her Website, groups and newsletter through the Internet and other Resources. To read more of her articles visit the Author's Website: http://Mystickblue.com or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SpiritualPathways/join She's currently working on publishing her own books about Love, peace Inspiration, magic, Soul connections and nature stories for Children of all ages.

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