Valerie G. Barnes Connell Jordan
Northern Advocate
As the Holiday season comes around we prepare for many things: some for the get together with family and friends; some for holidays in other parts of the country/world; and many for lonely times, and stress.
Often in our part of the world we focus on Christmas. But it is a period where many people around the world celebrate a special time, whether it’s in the particular spiritual realm or just a fun holiday.
It comes at a particular time of year. In our Western Hemisphere, it’s a darker, colder time of year, where we get snow cover and more.
In recent days I have talked with many who are finding the days long, and the time heavy, and they allude to feeling less energy all around.
I remember when I was quite young, playing outside with friends and waiting for my Dad to come home from work.
All of a sudden, I felt this off feeling, now I would refer to as a kind of meloncoly and I didn’t know what it was. I felt sad.
It only lasted a couple of minutes, but I noticed it.
In recent years, I’ve learned more about seasonal effective disorder, people who have a hard time because of the low light. For some it can be quite severe.
This is a season, where we talked about joy, try to have everything perfect for the holiday, and often burn ourselves out in the effort to make everything perfect. It is the time year there are more breakups, and stress for many people.
I was part of a Spirituality Group at the church I belonged to and I remember one woman speaking to me.
She said to me, “Everything gets quiet and slow at this time of year, you get busy.”
I thought about it at the time, and since then I started to take more time away from the activities surrounding me in the darker season.
One of my favourite things to do it take a long bath and enjoy the stillness, darkness and I started to call it “cocooning.”
I stopped doing as much of the busy things, and take stock of my life spending time, writing, listening to quiet music, and other things and hasn’t left me as exhausted as I used to be.
I have felt more nourished at times, when I remember to take that time and enjoy it in a quiet way.
Over the years I’ve come to terms with my more laid-back approach to the season and to enjoy many of the activities, not as many, but also maintain some quiet time for myself.
This is a season outwardly dedicated to love. Let us focus on that, to share our concerns and love for each other, healthy relationships with each other and with our environment to bring about a healthier place for ourselves, children and grandchildren and future generations.
It’s a time to be gentle with ourselves and others; to share our resources and fun; to reach out to others in a respectful way, to support and share with others, who may be finding the season difficult.
Share the quiet joy of the season, whatever the important celebration it may be for others, and maybe do a bit to ease the stress and hardships faced by many folks.
Happy Holidays!!
