ALL IS CALM; ALL IS BRIGHT

 Just checking in with my usual Christmas season complaints.....NOT!!!!!

Amazingly I am not pissed, overwhelmed, depressed, or sad.  I feel happy, content, calm, and on top of things.  This is the first time in as long as I can recall that I've been a week into December and not dreading the rest of the month.  Well, last year wasn't too bad either, but this year feels decidedly better.






Tree is up, a few decorations dispersed about, advent candles in line on the mantel, new outdoor lights strung.  The family has drawn names and I've bought my gift for my recipient.  I'm enjoying shopping for our granddaughters.

I took a friend out for her birthday yesterday and she will return the favor for my birthday 11 days from now.  There will be other celebrations with friends and  family to honor my 67th as well.  I make sure my birthday doesn't get buried in Christmas!

We have plans to do an "Ugly Sweater
and Secret Santa" party with friends, will participate in the annual Luminary River Walk hosted by my yoga studio, will have our grand girls for a sleepover so their parents can enjoy a holiday get-away.  We'll do the traditional Christmas Eve buffet and Christmas day gifts and dinner but without Son Two and his girlfriend who will be in California with her family, then when they return, one more family gathering to celebrate with them.  There's a lot going on, but it feels manageable and fun and I'm looking forward to every event!

Is this how "normal" people go about the holiday season?  I had no idea I didn't have to be stressed and depressed!  To what do I attribute this change of mood?  No one thing; probably many.

I'm still delighted that my plunge into severe anxiety/depression two years ago resulted in what seemed to be a life-changing series of visits to a Wonder Woman therapist.  But really, she would be the first to encourage me to say... I am the Wonder Woman for doing the hard work, for upping my Mindfulness and mediation practices, for practicing radical self-acceptance and self-compassion...all of that has helped me live a more settled, grounded, authentic life in relationship to those around me, through all the joys and challenges that life metes out.

I feel healthier than ever with my yoga practice and treadmill walking routine.  I'm eating healthy and sleeping well.  I feel strong and flexible and balanced -- that fall down the stairs notwithstanding -- and even my super impressive bruises are fading.

Things are going well with my "kids", my friends are a refuge for laughter and tears, my husband is my rock and love, my home is cozy and warm....gratefulness seems to play into a rising of spirit as well.

So, let's just mark December 8th as a day when all is calm and all is bright...and everything is alright.

At least, that's the view from here...©