Where Are You Christmas?

My family is currently deciding whether to cancel our family Christmas. I haven’t seen them since the summer, and the days of acceptable outdoor gatherings. I bet some of you are in the same situation. And I know it can be emotionally challenging…I’ve been away from my family at this time of year before.

I remember that Christmas clearly. I was in South Korea teaching English. It was 2001. I had arrived just 3 months earlier and was so lucky to meet such incredible people who became my family that Christmas. We managed to find a tree and cook a turkey and played Trivial Pursuit. It even snowed that day. The first snow day in 40 something years, I remember hearing. It was magical. My family called and everyone was together. My Dad, my step-mom, all my siblings…even my aunts, uncles and cousins. It ended up being so special and not hard like I expected. Because, I believe, Christmas is a feeling. And while of course it’s incredible to be with our loved ones, Christmas is in our hearts.

And so, like the song, our world IS changing. We’re rearranging. And that does mean Christmas changes too. But remember the rest of the words? (You’ve heard Faith Hill sing this song, right?) It says that if you do have love in your heart and love in your mind, then you’ll feel like Christmas all the time.

So I encourage you to shift your focus. Not on who you won’t be spending time with this year, but on who you will be. The love in my heart knows what I feel for my family…and I’ve survived Christmas without them once. And we know how to be creative with technology now too! So I know whatever happens, I’ll have my two little girls with me. And that fills my heart with so much love. And I want you to feel that love too. Sure things have changed. But the love that you feel in your heart will carry you through this holiday season. I promise. Because we’re stronger than we know.

Wishing you more peace, balance, happiness, vibrant health and lasting love.

Sandy xo

"What we think, we become." -Buddha