Are you taking stock of the holiday season, collecting in your mind the stories that are happening all around you? Or are the days whizzing by and you feel you barely have time to breathe? I hope you are taking time to relax and let some happy Christmas stories sink into your souls.
Being grateful
Sometimes I will stop, in the middle of the day, and just think about all that I have to be grateful for in life. It might be a friend’s email, an unexpected Christmas card in the mail or the smile of a stranger as I was running an errand. It can be a life-changing event or a smaller one.
I think that I am able to tune into appreciating the smaller things because I have been in some deep valleys. Now that I am on level ground, I can deal with downtimes and know that my stability will never let me get to such low depths as in the past. There is comfort in that feeling of strong health. Plus, seeing deep downs helps me to appreciate positive moments so much now.
A story, for Christmas
When I ask in the title of this post “What is your story? I am really asking what is the main takeaway you have, so far, in the Christmas season? This is the week of Christmas and surely you had at least one good moment this December. I hope so, at least.
While I could switch on the TV to see news about health scares and negative events around the world, I choose instead to call out to you to please share a happy moment that has happened to you recently. I would love to hear them and hope that we can read one another’s words to gain smiles this Christmas and as the New Year unfolds.
I will start with my own Christmas story. It is from last week. You see, I had three major appointments all within one week; in fact, they were all within three days.
I hadn’t planned that; the dates were all scheduled for me. I was, well, stressed. By Thursday, I was exhausted.
Yet, I woke up Thursday morning with an incredible sensation within me as all of the appointments had gone the best that they possibly could have gone. I awoke thinking, wow, I have many blessings.
It is with pride that I write the following. I learned I am cancer free for another year. Also, my eyes are confirmed to be healthy. I am truly humbled by the gifts of good health I received, and that good news have made this Christmas one to cherish for me.
An invitation to you
That is my happy story of the Christmas season; my story is about good health. I invite you also to leave that you have had over the past month.
I would love to read your uplifting moments of the season if you want to share them in the comments section below. Hopefully, we will read one another’s stories left on this post and smile, offer a hug or find delight in what each other has noted has taken place around him or her. Of course, it is only if you want to contribute to the post; I won’t make you participate!
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas! Thank you for supporting this site, which I am happy to say will continue after Christmas and into the New Year! Stay safe and be happy.
Love Christy
Health is everything, literally. I definitely want it back. I’m also praying for my mom, every day, every night so that she would be much longer with us. I’m also mentioning in my prayers my daughter’s health, my 2 grandsons’ health and my sister’s family. All we need is a good health, the rest is replaceable, obtainable and achievable with good health. Even love suffers when somebody is ill, not to mention work or other things.
Christmas used to be my most favorite time of the year, I dislike the very long advertising season before Christmas. That causes me to get tired of Christmas announcements and offers way before it’s December 24.
The advertising can get to be too much by the time Christmas Day gets here… I hear you! As for your health and that of your family, I send good thoughts to all and love as well <3
I am so pleased you are 100% fit and healthy Christy, and that you are firmly on “level-ground”; I always look forward to reading your refreshing word, even if I don’t always leave a reply.
Christmas for me I suppose has been an exercise in reflecting on the people who truly mean a lot to me, who like me for everything that I am (warts and all, for none of us are perfect), and respect my point-of-view. It has not all been happiness.
For the nine years previous to 2014 I had spent Christmas Day on my own, and of course I was lonely. This one was different.
Firstly I got up early and went on a lovely ramble with my walking group near Belfast, Northern Ireland; everyone was really nice, and we had lovely chat… and even sung a few carols at the top of a mountain. The weather was crisp but wonderfully sunny.
Secondly I went for Christmas dinner with someone who I thought valued me as a friend, for I have visited her many times. Apart from me and her, there were three other women present. The dinner itself was fine and very nice… and as drink settled into some of them the whole thing became rather rowdy and unpleasant – three of them ‘indulged’ (sorry, can’t think of a better word) in a lot of vulgar swearing and one of the women there said that she disliked the word being used, and I agreed with her (I like to think I swear very little), and of course that only made it worse and they chanted it on and on. Being a girl who apparently wears her heart on her sleeve, I allegedly gave one of the attendees a look of disapproval (I don’t know I do it, it’s just part of who I am) and now I have been told that I am not wanted as a friend, all for giving a look of disapproval over an appalling swear word that both myself and another had openly stated we did not like. But I have learnt a lesson from this, and reflecting back on it I realise that this person liked having me around to talk about themselves – I was rarely listened to, and frequently interrupted or completely talked over, and was often not even allowed to have my own opinion on something. To me, a true friend is someone who values what you have to say and respects your right to have differing views on things. I am sorry if you all think I am venting.
Lastly, I have since had a number of emails from friends asking how my Christmas was and generally having some e-chat. They are all friends I have made this year, they are all lovely people, and are giving people. I like to think that this year I have truly made an effort to give a lot… and as the year has progressed I have realised that the more one gives the more one can receive, and by receive I mean perhaps the greatest gift of all – human kindness.
Best wishes to all for a happy new year.
Andrea,
Thank you for your wonderful comment here and for sharing your story this year. It’s amazing, isn’t it, how we can sometimes think someone such a close friend and then one day it all changes (or perhaps it was already changing and we didn’t want to admit it). I am thankful that you continue to have people around you who support you and who respect that you don’t want vulgar conversation used around you. That is great that you stood up for yourself and I hope that you realize that. Many hugs and I wish you a wonderful New Year too. I am glad to have connected with you and to be friends!
Yikes!
I’m so blessed in this life because, all my “special joys” are so plentiful this season that it is difficult to single one out.
Christy, good health is something I share with you. I understand your happiness.
YAY! get to go for a col,.,.p..cy this year! We complain, but our health system is pretty great!
Love to you!
Indeed, we are blessed with good health and good Canadian health care! I join you in those sentiments, Resa! Here’s to a delightful 2015 ahead :)
Thanks Christy, Happy Christmas. ¸.·*♡
I hope your Christmas has been faaaaabulous, my friend!
Merry Christmas Christy! Glad you received a clean bill of health. The day they find a cure for cancer will be the best Christmas present ever!
I don’t get caught up with the hustle and bustle. I will be spending a quiet Christmas with my family.
Thank you, Susan. Being healthy as the New Year approaches is such a blessings. I hope your Christmas Day was spent enjoying the company of your loved ones, as that is really what is so important. I appreciate your support xx All the best to you for 2015!
Merry Christmas Eve!.With love maxima
Happy Christmas Eve to you too, Maxima! Thanks for all of your support!
A Christmas Memory… Earlier this week, the Christmas lights in the main Square of my town reminded me of The natural tree in my grandma’s garden decorated with colorful lights… Joyful times from my Childhood and tress with branches that kept us everlastingly safe, away from the madding world of worried adults
Merry Christmas Eve!. Aquileana :D
Awww that is a lovely reflection, Aqui! Thank you for sharing it here. Were those the lights that you shared in the Twitter photos? If so, that makes it even more special to me because I saw what it looks like! Merry Christmas Eve to you too xo
Indeed!, those Twitter photos were the ones that triggered my Childhood memories.
All the best, Christy and I hope you had a beautiful Christmas. Aquileana :D
Aha, I thought that about the Twitter photos ((MANY HUGS))! I hope you are having a lovely weekend, hon! xo
Continued good results and health Christy. I am working very hard right now to find good, be grateful and do good. That is my mantra. I think if I can simply continue to say it to myself it will sink in and just become part of my being.
Jubilant Holidays.
Thank you, Val. I hope that the more you repeat those words the more you believe them. I wish you a beautiful holidays, my friend xx
You know, Christy, funerals are a sad affair but on 23rd I attended a funeral of our family friend who won Gold at the 1960 Rome Olympic games for football and when I approached his casket the shirt he wore at those Olympic Games was draped so proudly over the casket and I took a deep breath, smiled and whispered: I am so grateful for having had you in my life, Tony. To me it is people around me that make me grateful. Merry Christmas!
Oh Ina, what a touching memory you have shared here. I thank you for sharing it from the bottom of my heart. It speaks volumes of your spirit. May your friend rest in peace x
I love your story of good health, Christy! Mine is about finding home wherever we may be. For the past 18 years home had been Colorado where Christmases were celebrated inside our cozy house looking out at a snow-filled winter wonderland. This year we find ourselves in balmy Florida. Just a few days ago I stood on our balcony and watched a prehistoric-looking bird fly low a few feet away. I looked across a sparkling lake and lush green trees, and despite a very different experience compared to previous Decembers I felt completely at home. I felt thankful that home can be anywhere.
Graciela, That is such a lovely memory to share. I can just imagine you now. That feeling of being at peace is wonderful and to know you have it makes me so happy. I think your spirit of being at home is strong because of your family, your positive spirit and your generous heart. I look forward to continuing our chats into the New Year xo
Christy, I’m so glad to hear you got positive results at all of your appointments and that you are in good health!
I am grateful for family and friends at Christmas and all year round.
Merry Christmas my dear friend. Hugs.
Oh Michelle, thank you! The news of good health was the best gift for Christmas. I am so glad you have family and friends around you – they are lucky to have you and I am lucky to call you friend! Merry Xmas and hugs!
Thank you Christy. And likewise, I am fortunate to have you as a friend. Merry Christmas. xoxo
Awe ((there goes my spirit feeling full again!)). Have a safe, happy Xmas, Michelle xo
What a wonderful post, Christy. This Christmas, I’m grateful for another year with my family. I’m grateful my health is improving. And I’m grateful to be a part of a community of authors and bloggers who inspire me every day. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas filled with love and happiness, Christy!
Tricia, what wonderful news of your improving health! I will send positive thoughts your way! I hope that all the hugs you get over the holidays help too xx Your gratitude for other writers is so apparent and one of the things I cherish about you! Thanks for taking part here and for the kind words. Merry Christmas!
I’m glad you’ll continue to share your joy and hope, Christy. Our world needs your inspiration. I’m happy for my family’s strength and faith in my not just these past two months, but these past two years, as I work through a change in my work life.
Awe, Mark! That’s very nice of you to show appreciation for my words in this way. I am excited for what 2015 will bring! How wonderful that you say thank you to your family for their support, and that shows how considerate you are (as I already knew!). Have you shown your family your comment here? I bet it will be well received by them. I am saying ‘Merry Christmas’ to you and family!
Christy, what a wonderful idea to share a happy moment. Mine has to do with a solstice meditation which I attended. The woman who led the meditation spoke of darkness as being part of the human spectrum and that once we accept our darkness then we are making room for the light to come in.
We sat in a circle with candles in the center and anyone who wanted, shared their dark moments. Then each lit a candle as a symbol of letting light into the darkness. Maybe it wasn’t quite happy but it was serene and comforting. :)
I too think of being grateful for the little things. It’s a practice that prepares us to be grateful for everything – even our darkness, for in that we become whole. We accept every part of ourselves. :)
Thank you for appreciating the concept of the post here, Carol, and for taking time to share your own special moment. That that moment with the candle is one that touched your soul and I am glad you had the opportunity to heal with it, especially with the New Year just around the corner. I hope that the freshness of 2015 brings you many wonderful things! Merry Christmas too!
My best wishes for a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! With love Maxima
And to you, my friend, and to you!