With beauty before me, I journey....

A most happy, happy New Year! Does anyone know how long one should use that phrase? When is the year no longer considered new? When is the year no longer considered happy?

I’m banking that the year 2013 still has a good bit of dew on it and that all is well.

The blog begins another year. As is true for most of us “resolution makers,” I too hope for more discipline and stronger priorities and a commitment to do what brings the most light and peace.

In preparation for this New Year, I spent some time reflecting on 2012. One of the spiritual practices I do each day is along with writing down five things for which I am grateful in that 24-hour period, I also write down where I saw beauty that day. Along with providing a nice close to the day, it is also fun to look back over what I wrote and recall those moments of beauty.

During 2012, my list of where I saw beauty included:

• Bright sun reflected on white snow
• The woman who is always smiling as she sweeps the streets on the
North Side
• Noticing the blooming
• A kid on her first bike ride --- going it solo
• Day baseball at PNC Park
• White trillium filling the hillside
• A doe and two spotted fawns
• Softness of morning light
• Kayakers on the river, paddling under the 9th Street Bridge as a
steady rain falls
• A rainbow arching over the Sound at the Outer Banks, NC

2013 is three days in, where have you seen beauty?

I invite you to try this practice. See if it sticks. Share your list with another.

As the year begins, may you journey with beauty before you, behind you, below you, above you, and all around you.

sj;

Holiday ABC's....

V = Voices Do you hear the voices of the season? The laughter, the stories, the songs? Christmas at the House of Snyder is, as is true with most family gatherings, a loud, raucous, laughter-infused affair. None of us would have it any other way. It seems that at this time of year it is easier to still hear the voices and laughter of the many who have passed on. Listen.

W = Winter Snow on trees and rooftops; bundling up in coats and scarves and gloves; air so cold you can see your breath --- all this makes you want to get inside and get warm by beverage, in front of a fireplace, or in the company of others.

X = The Greek letter, “Chi” written in English as X When I was young and impressionable, I was offended by people who would write X-Mas instead of Christmas. Then I learned that “X” is how one writes the Greek letter Chi that stands for Christ. We get so bothered by little things and forget what really matters --- how we live and the call to love will make it clear to everyone the why of the season.

Y = You So much of this season is what you choose to make it. So, how goes your holiday?

Z = Zither You thought I wouldn’t be able to find a “z” word, didn’t you??? Even though I have zero musical ability, I always thought (and really still do) that it would be fantastic to be able to sing and play a musical instrument and entertain. In trying to assist with that dream, one Christmas my parents bought me a “Zither,” is a small, lap-held, harp instrument. To play it, you would put the music sheet under the strings and follow the notes that were color-coded. Sounds simple --- did I mention my total lack of musical ability. Yet, one can still dream….

sj;

Holiday ABC's ....

Q = Quilt What’s better than on a cold winter’s night wrapping up in a big, warm, quilt?? That speaks of comfort, security, and home --- all the qualities of this holiday season.

R = Rudolph Of the many holiday specials, one of my favorites is RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER. I adore his tiny, nasal-y voice. The underlying meaning that the one left out, labeled, and living on the “island of misfit toys” is the very same one who comes through in the storm and brings Christmas is a story that is as old as the Gospel…in fact, it’s at the heart of the Gospel.

S = Star My father was very talented in the art of carpentry. One Christmas season, he made a four-foot star out of wood and white lights and silver tinsel and hung it on the second level of the front of our house. It looked fantastic --- simple, subtle and stunning. Several years ago, my brother found the star and took it to his house which is an old farmhouse that sits back off the road behind a few large fields. He now puts up the star and one can see it from the highway; from that distance it looks as if it is hanging in the air.

T = Tradition Part of what makes this season are the traditions that are followed; like the Christmas Eve candlelight service and hanging the ornaments that go back generations. To keep things lively it is necessary to introduce new traditions. When her grandchildren were little, my mother introduced the “Pickle Prize” to our family. She bought a green, glass pickle ornament and would hide it on the Christmas tree. Whoever found the pickle received the “pickle prize present.” As was the case with all she did, my mother took anything done for her family with a committed effort. She hid that pickle ornament very well --- I’m talking deep within the boughs and branches of the evergreen. The pickle ornament always was found by one of the grandchildren. However, the coolest part was the “pickle prize” was always a new and fun board game that would gather the entire family to play and laugh and be together --- my Mom was a very wise woman.

U = Unwrap It’s important to wrap one’s gifts because it is such a “Wow moment” when you come downstairs Christmas morning and gaze upon all the beautifully wrapped presents stacked neatly beneath the tree. It is a total rush moment when one is given the “OK, you can unwrap your presents now” invitation and you literally rip into it!

sj;