A Goddesses Anonymous Christmas

Puppy christmasThis time of year I love to reflect on the past twelve months.  A little soul-searching is usually in order, and the holiday season is a wonderful time to do it.  After all, with the hustle and commercial bustle surrounding  us, either we need spiritual sustenance more than usual, or we’re already more receptive to the genuine message of the season.

This need moves beyond religious boundaries.  Peace on earth, goodwill toward men and women is pretty hard to argue with, no matter what beliefs we affirm.

This week I found myself wondering how the goddesses in my Goddesses Anonymous books would celebrate Christmas.

Some of the goddesses are churchgoers and some are not.  Analiese is a Protestant minister, but Harmony is most likely a Buddhist, although her spiritual path has taken many detours.  One thing all would agree on, though, is the developing Goddesses Anonymous motto.  While the motto deals with ways to help others, I think each goddess would agree it’s appropriate to consider these words at Christmas, too.

Shall we?

Abandon perfection.

Are we wearing ourselves to a frazzle trying to make the holidays perfect for everybody?  Let’s say we’re not really shoppers, but suddenly we’re spending hours in stores or on the internet trying to find the ideal gift for everybody on our bloated lists?  We’re worried about our choices, wondering if we should have gone with Gift B instead of Gift A.  Then, already frazzled, we turn our  attention to the decorating, and the cookies, and the cards.  So many things we absolutely have to do.

Can we let go of just one imperative this year?  Buy cookies or make only the ones we love?  Leave a box of decorations in the attic?  Worry less about the gift choices we’ve made and more about reaching out to the giftee?

Abandon perfection.  Settle for good enough.  Settle for fun-to-do.  Settle for the parts of celebrating that really matter, and maybe then those traditions will come to matter to everybody you love, too.

This weekend my daughter asked me for a cookie recipe we always made together each Christmas no matter what else was happening around us.  I was so touched.  My mother and I had made those cookies together, too.  Now she will make them with her daughters.  One recipe, not a dozen.  A memory across generations.

Welcome reflection.

Are we so busy running from Christmas concerts to shopping malls to holiday parties that we forget to think about what the season means to each of us?  Isn’t this the best time to just sit a bit each day and think about our lives, the months that led us here, the people we love, the goals we tried to set for ourselves?

Welcome reflection.  Light a candle and sit quietly and think about the year.  Consider the people we love and what we can do for them, some gift of ourselves that they might really need.  I’m making a conscious effort  to take ten minutes in the middle of the day to sit quietly and think about my life.  Ten minutes is so little, and yet so easy to overlook.

Nurture connection.

Are we so busy with “things” we’ve forgotten that the holidays are about people, about relationships, about reaching out?  I certainly let myself get too busy, but that’s something my reflection time has pointed out to me.

Nurture connection. What a wonderful time of year to call friends, to write letters, to invite people you want to know better to come over for those storebought Christmas cookies and eggnog.  We don’t have to entertain on a Martha Stewart scale, after all we’ve abandoned perfection, right?  Maybe neighbors would like to help trim the tree or listen to carols or play a board game and chat.   I love to make breakfast, and having friends over to enjoy it with me is a new tradition.

I love thinking about the holidays this way.  This simple goddess’s motto has become inspirational for me. Maybe  it will be a holiday inspiration for you, as well.  

Analiese, Georgia, Samantha, Harmony, Taylor, Ethan, Cristy and Rilla wish all of us a season of reflection and connection without a hint of perfection.

2 Comments

  1. SueAnn Beer on December 10, 2013 at 11:07 pm

    This is so true…what you have said….and I am glad to see another with these thoughts. Christmas has always been a time for me..to slow down, relax, reflect, enjoy the quiet and peace..being with the family..doing nothing….but enjoying one another….my family never rushed at Christmas…Granny and Gramps were the calmest people ever and here I was all excited about Santa….and Mom just took it in stride…never a rush about anything…unless I forgot to make my bed, THEN I rushed!!! But that is the whole point with Christmas…not talking about the religious aspect…that is very dear to us too..but the rest, the calm….we try to spend the whole month of Dec. this way…..every day….
    The cookies! LOVE it!!! we have no girls..but our son has been making a point of reminding me to show him where the “family recipes” are!!! LOL!! and we make..MAYBE 3 types cookies…and a German bread….all from the great- greats and the greats…..
    You chose a good time for your surgery….no need to be out running anywhere….a good month for rest.
    Merry Christmas!

  2. Janet Warren on December 17, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    Our son, Tom, was just here to visit us in FL from Ohio. We trimmed the tree, played carols, he played golf with his Dad and they cooked and then cleaned the kitchen.( I am no longer able to.) That was the best gift we could ever have. Time spent is the best gift, as you’ve said.

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