A Christmas Journey

      Christmas is a time of travel: physically, mentally, spiritually and spiritually. Because of this fact, I have seen great personal anxiety occur in people who do not prepare a plan ahead of this highly charged season.

     What is your Christmas like? Do you look forward to these days with active anticipation, or do you dread what is coming and just hope to hang on and survive. Is the season enjoyable or fearsome? Do you enjoy getting out, or would you prefer all the hubub go away so you can relax, drink a cup of hot choclate, and escape the reindeer race?

     Christmas occurs when the sun is the lowest in the sky and days are shorter than any time of the year. Because of this people put out lights, wich bring a spark of energy to neighborhoods. Also, because of the early sunset, gettin out can be dangerous or avoided due to depresion. This should not happen.

     Christmas is meant to be a time of contact and interactions, starting at the Thanksgiving season. It is a time when life should slow down, and energy should be spent on strengthening family and friendship relationships. Therfore, travel is a necessity. Sometimes the travel is across country (plan this in advance for less stress and cost savings). Travel can be on an airplane, by car, or on a train (have you tried that one?) Planning ahead is of great help.

     December is also a time of functions, work parties, and social gatherings. These should be planned and calendared well in advance also. Are you throwing a party? Buy the goods early, perhaps at Thanksgiving food sales. Then the event becomes more hastle free, one thing off the list.

     And also automate invitations and house cleaning. If a day is set, and a plan made, all things become easier. And The easier an event is to host, the more enjoyable it becomes for you. If everything is done in advance, there will be no last minute rush to do the things that should have occurred earlier.

     Travel, functions (which we journey to attend - even if it is across town) take time and draw energy. That is why I put "mentally' on the list. We need to make mental preparation ... physically for the events is good mentally for us, because there is less worry. Also we can place the plan on the calendar, so we can know where we should be in advance.

     And finally, we should prepare spiritually. Christmas should be a time to draw closer to God, to become more spiritual ... that is what the holiday (holy day) is about. How do you prepare for that? I would recomment the book: Advent Journeys. You can order it on Amazon.com. It has short daily readings guaranteed to put spiritual meaning in the holiday.

     With correct preparation, the season can be wonderful, and full of enjoyment. Are you prepared?