Accepting the Unknown

This holiday season is bittersweet for me. Learning of my sister's breast cancer has slowed down my yuletide hustle bustle. Thank God for internet shopping right? Despite the parties, concerts and sweet Baby Jesus story, I'm sad. Yesterday as I was grading papers in my basement office, a nervous anxiety was making me sick to my stomach. I walked upstairs to send her a text asking about an upcoming doctor appointment (cellular service doesn't work in the basement...I'm adjunct faculty). She immediately shot back that she was waiting in the doctors office right now as we speak (or text), hoping to get results from the tissue sample! Sibling psychosomatics. In my years of healthcare, helping rehab the breast cancer patients was always hard for me. It's such an embarrassing and humbling experience for a young chemo patient in need of occupational therapy. My sister may very well go through that, or she may respond keeping her strength to muddle through the chemo and radiation treatments with the help of her husband. 

This experience has reminded me of the power in meditation. Years ago I found relief in a painful time through a combination of yoga, meditation and my faith. Somehow the world was okay after I participated in the time of stillness in yoga class. Being part of a group or class in the meditation really brought a great energy. I sensed I was being healed. Completing class this morning brought me to a similar place. I can't say that I was holly jolly afterwards, though I was ready and at peace to face the world, despite my sister's dark situation hovering over my heart. 

Sometimes the fear of the unknown is worse than the actual circumstance. Before my sister's diagnosis, my family had arranged to spend part of Christmas vacation together with her in a mountain cabin. This little getaway has become much more poignant. Chemo doesn't start until after Christmas, so we will certainly enjoy our time without excess fatigue. Knowing what and with whom we will be able to spend next Christmas remains unknown. There will certainly be many hours of stillness and breathing in yoga and meditation for me as I accept this unknown. I hope you will join me as you accept your unknown too...

3 Simple Holiday Sanity Strategies

Today I went to the post office around 2 pm to find a long line of old ladies mailing large packages. These grandmas were getting their Christmas gifts out in the mail early to avoid the holiday crowd and potential inclement weather. Next week is Thanksgiving and our Indiana weather was 16 degrees with snow--yes it was colder than Siberia, Russia today, yes those old ladies were probably smart to get the packages out early. I drove past the mall around 2:20 and the lot was full. It's that time of year where the decorations are up and the yuletide insanity begins.

Keeping sane during the holidays is a challenge so here are 3 simple strategies to keep you sane this season:

1. Give to Yourself--The holidays are largely about giving, however we forget to give to ourselves. As our lives are full, the shiny packages under the tree don't mean as much as the intimate time with ourselves. Give yourself some time, whether it be 10 extra minutes in the morning with your cup of coffee or an afternoon walk in the brisk fresh air. Taking time in your holiday schedule to give to yourself will enrich your giving to others in the deepest of ways.

2. Remember--My holidays have been bittersweet seeing excited children as I hold on to the grief of losing my father. Each year it seems to get easier though never goes away. What has helped me is to remember the fun memories we had at Christmas. Dad LOVED Christmas and spoiled us all exclaiming, "this is why he came to America". The memories do bring tears but also bring peace as they settle my soul to be in the moment.

3. Yogathea--The grocery store crowds, social gatherings, school programs, incompetent drivers and annoying music brings out the inner...well refer to the picture above. Get to your Yogathea class so you may

"Breathe the Peace Which Transcends All Understanding ~ Mind + Body + Spirit". If you don't have a class near you, I'll be glad to sell you a Christian Yoga DVD (yes this is shameless plug). If you already have one, don't forget about your friends (okay, another shameless plug. I'm done now.)

If you do become seized with the yuletide insanity, remember these simple strategies and I will see you in class or sitting on your back porch soon!

Thank You Military, Emergency, Healthcare and Entertainers

Merry Christmas and thank you to all of the military, emergency, healthcare, and entertainment staff and professionals for keeping us safe, healthy and entertained as we enjoy Christmas at home with our families and friends.  As I'm home today watching my children open gifts and chow down on Christmas cuisine, I know if another tornado struck my house, the local rescue workers, police and national guard would show up to make sure my family is sheltered appropriately.  If I burn the ham and start a fire, the firemen would come help put it out.   If a child decides to choke on a candy cane or has an overstimulated-sugared-yuletide-hyperactivity-injury needing medical attention, the emergency room staff is there and ready cast a broken bone or mend the gushing wound.  What can I say about the military men and women, not at home in foreign land?  I feel safe at home.  My debt of gratitude goes beyond what I know how to express you;  your struggle is our struggle and I remember you this Christmas and pray for you regularly.  And finally, what would Christmas be without a football game, radio or television?  The after dinner recliner pancreatic coma would not hold the same bliss without a good game which hopefully the military get to see as well!  I'll be home for Christmas this year, safe and entertained because others have sacrificed.  Meditating on how my safety and joy today has largely been created by the sacrifice of people I do not know, helps me to see the world as a better place that maybe isn't so broken.

Whatever you find yourself doing or feeling today at Christmas, remember those who are working and sacrificing, away from their family and friends and perhaps you too may see how Christ has made our world a better place that maybe isn't so broken.  Merry Christmas!