We are in the midst of what is widely referred to as the “Holiday Season.” Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza, or Winter Solstice, I hope that you are finding ways to enjoy this time and make it as simple and stress-free as possible.
While many people experience this season as a time of joy others find it to be a difficult time–particularly those who are mourning the loss of a loved one. They find their sorrow to be harder to bear during this time.
The world seems to be in turmoil and we each seem to be struggling with heartaches, and while we may not be able to solve the world’s problems, we each have the opportunity to make the world a better place. We can give the very joy we are longing for to someone else. Sorrow is easier to endure when we focus on someone else, even if just for a while.
Gift-giving can be an excellent balm for a grieving heart. Reaching out to someone in need, giving the gift or your time, or talent, or a simple gift of creativity or generosity can help heal a broken heart.
Music is another prominent part of some Holiday Celebrations. When I listen to the music that is fundamental to my own tradition, I can’t help but appreciate that much of it was written hundreds of years ago, yet is has endured the world’s turmoil and upheaval. Hope and love seem to be the prevalent messages of the beautiful music that we turn to year after year. Hope and love will always endure. They always have. The remarkable thing about broken hearts is that they “still work” — we can still hope and we can still love, even as our hearts break.
I hope that this season finds you enjoying moments of peace in the stillness of early nightfalls, and in giving of yourself to others.
Domenica Rafferty, LPC 