Holiday Season. Christmas. Hanukkah. Kwanza. However you celebrate. I write “holiday season”, though I personally celebrate Christmas, because in truth the longer I am on this side of consciousness, the more similarities I see in faiths celebrated in our world.
Peace. A constant, endless, ceasing, passionate, longing for peace in my heart has taken a twist this Christmas season. Peace and forgiveness. Forgiveness and peace. Isn’t that what we all truly want in life?
Meditating on the concept of peace and forgiveness a few days ago, I had this very clear concept present to me.
In my life….I have been hurt by many. Some minor infractions, and some profound. Lasting scars. And in reflecting on some I have chosen to let go of long ago, I thought to myself…why did I let it go? Did I really let it go? Why didn’t I lash out and in some ways, why have I chosen to protect those who have hurt me? Why didn’t I push back?
Simple.
Simply put, hurting another will never take away the pain we have endured. Never. It’s a choice to not allow the hurt from others to penetrate into your heart and prevent you from becoming your true authentic self. And is that something I really want to give to someone else?
In past few weeks, cancer has sneakily crept back into my life again. When I left my full time professional position working with people diagnosed or affected by cancer, and my Dad celebrated year after year (thankfully) of cancer survivorship, somehow I believe I had convinced myself my “time” in “cancer world” was somehow done.
With the diagnosis of my cousin and attending a funeral of a friend’s mom today, I am once again reminded of the fragility of life. Permanence is but an illusion we create ourselves. Absolutely nothing in life is permanent. Nothing. Friendships, relationships, life, love….nothing…..we delude ourselves, I think in a way to protect ourselves, and in a way to delay needing to forgive and seek forgiveness…thinking we can do that “one day.”
But what if “one day” never comes. What if it was yesterday? What if today is our last day on earth?
I remember years ago, my oldest son being saddened when my Grandma died at the ripe old age of 89. Shortly before, my step-grandmother in law died, at 102 (I think), and in his very innocent, tender, sweet words he said…”aww….she didn’t get to live to see 100,” as if we all have that fate.
Truth. Each day is a gift. Each day. Whether we are Catholic, or Jewish, or Protestant, or Hindi, or Muslim or…..regardless of our belief on afterlife and whether there is one or what it looks like if there is, not one of us will be able to make the transition without leaving this life behind. Without leaving our loved ones, without leaving our hopes, our triumphs, our regrets…..we can take none of that with us. Yet so many of us live as if we can delay forgiveness and seeking peace another time.
So what if “another time” never comes?
This “holiday season”…..while we may think we really need all that Amazon has for sale, I assert what we really need is peace and forgiveness in our hearts to truly embrace all this holiday season and beyond has to offer. Whether this is our first, our last, or somewhere in between….
- Forgive others. Why are you holding on to anger? Aren’t you ready to let it go? “Holding on to anger is like holding on to a hot coal with the intent to throw it at someone else, you are the one who gets burned.” Buddha.
- Meditate. For 10 minutes or 30, on peace. It’s my challenge this “season” for everyone. Imagine our world with more peace, both our world inside ourselves, and our world beyond our understanding.
- Show Kindness. I remember reading “Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.” (J.M. Barry) years ago. Poignant. This holiday season, in the parking lots-register lines- holiday parties- etc. may you show others the kindness you’d like to receive on your most difficult days. Always, always, show kindness.
There is a great line in the OAR song Peace that states “……..babe we’re only here but a little while….” Hmmmm….may be all should adopt this thought….if we are only here but a little while, be it 1 day or 100+ years, do we want to live in anger and resentment or peace and forgiveness?
Wishing you peace and happiness…this holiday season, and beyond….. whatever and wherever that is…..
peaceinthejourney 