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Celebration of Acceptance


The Christmas journey for 2013 is nearly over and the Austin Melissa journey is ongoing.  I have come to see how intertwined all the decisions are in my life.  The changes in my life from last December to this December are all part of the process.  My conflict about how to celebrate Christmas this year was just a part of the puzzle.  

After much deliberation I knew that for me this year it was going to be about sharing myself and connecting with people that I have been out-of-touch with for months (see Conscious Choice Christmas, December 11, 2013).  I did put a tree up and I did go shopping with my darling husband.  We even bought a few presents for each other together.  It was relaxed and fun.  We went to places we had never been and just looked around with no thought of having to buy something and we each ended up finding something we wanted.

Other than that, no cards, no gifts, no caroling, no looking at lights, no big Christmas dinner.  In fact, this year we had pizza on Thanksgiving and Christmas.  A new tradition?  No, just what we did this year.  And it felt right, this year.   I did make many calls to relatives and friends and was able to spend time with them. I gave them energy and attention and it was great.   I took care of my needs in the process by spacing the calls out over two weeks so I would be fresh and clear for each call.  I believe because I was making conscious connection a goal and initiating the calls, they went very well.  I felt connected.  I felt love.  

I am grateful for this experience and the lessons contained.  I am learning more all the time about how to make decisions and what things are important in my life, today.  I know that life is constant change and that it is my job to decide what is working for me and what is not.  I want to be present for my life and for the people in it.  To do that, I need to use my energy in the most efficient way.  Decide what needs to be done, what I want to do, and what is possible in the moment.  This holiday season was a study in doing just that.


As I have listened to friends and family talk about their Christmas', I see more and more differences in our choices.   And for the first time in my life, I don't see either as more legitimate.  I listened and rejoiced with them for their joy, for what they were happy about instead of comparing it to what I did or had.  I did as I chose and it has made me happy, which frees me to be happy for everyone else.  I celebrated Christmas this year with what I believe are my true tenets of the season - acceptance, love, peace, and gratitude.  
 
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