Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/219054
T he "Holiday Season" is upon us and most of us are ready for it to be over. Decorations were put up as soon as back to school signs were down, music started playing on the radio in November, sales were promoted back in March, 2006. It's not a "season" when there is no beginning or end. The holidays have become a year-round, day to day burden, blending with all the other noise and stress of life. It's no longer special. As we grow older, everything that was once magical begins to gray in color and becomes worn at the edges. We don't stop to enjoy the colors of fall, stick out our tongues and catch the first snowflakes of winter, breathe in the fresh spring air or close our eyes and let our body drink in the Vitamin D of the summer. As seasons come and go, we don blinders and focus on real life — bills, deadlines, wrinkles, trans fat intake, more bills. We have forgotten life is a one-shot deal. We get one ride on this blue ball and that ride could come to a stop at any time. Exit to your left and leave your belongings behind. No getting back in line. You could look at that as depressing or as an amazing opportunity. It's a choice. I've missed some great days keeping my head down, watching the clock, checking e-mails, playing on my phone, researching the next best wrinkle cream. I've spent too much time reading Facebook postings from people I wouldn't recognize on the street instead of taking a walk with my dog. For the holidays this year, I had my husband get the decorations down early so I could check that chore off my list. Instead of looking forward to decorating the house, I wanted to hurry up and get it over with so I could get onto the next thing. It's like I have forgotten how to just be — I resist the desire to settle into the motion of the ocean of life and breathe its rhythms. But like I said, it's a choice. And, as is my prerogative, I can change my mind. So, for this season, and the next, and the one following that, I will look up, look around, and be a part of the day and appreciate what is new and good. For Christmas, I'll enjoy the act of decorating and invite my son to help, now that he's taller than me and can decorate the top of the tree. That fact alone fills me with gratitude and makes me realize what an amazing ride I really am having. Please try, in the midst of what really is a magical time of the year, to look up and don't let your life race by, a blurred scene out the window or background noise. Enjoy your ride — I bet you're having a pretty good one too. ~ 2 OUR YUCAIPA | December 2013 Courtney