Serenity, Holidays and the Upcoming New Year

So we are In the season of merriment, lots of family and lots of noise, lots of eating, lots of drinking, lots of blinking bright lights and lots of stress if you let it in.  The key is to find a way to minimize the stress by letting in serenity.

I actually love this time of year.  I love seeing the lights, seeing kids trying their best to behave, seeing adults passing each other on the street wishing each other happy holidays and wondering why does this only happen in December, why can't we be pleasant all year long?

I love the cold, not too too cold, but the brisk air.  It seems to bring out the best in people, but what I don't understand is the greed associated with this time of year, actually I don't understand the greed that this country has possessed over the past few years.  Why has this season become only about how much stuff we have?

I think that as the year draws to a close we should seriously look inside of ourselves and take stock of what matters most to us.

Speaking for myself, it has been a year filled with joy, sadness, some confusion, some health issues and learning that I'm quite happy with who I have become over the past few years.  It has been eye opening to learn that the only way to find serenity is to be okay with who I am, how I look and not be bothered with people who constantly want to change me.  I've learned to stick up for myself because sometimes I'm the only one who will.  My opinion matters even if it's only to me, but I'm not going to shy away from expressing my opinion nor will I back down and cower when someone disagrees with me.  Their opinion is just as important and I will always listen and sometimes I will agree and sometimes not but that's okay.

So for the end of 2017, look inward and find the joys of the year that has come to a close and look forward to 2018.  Take a deep deep breath, close your eyes, inhale the smells of the foods and aromas that surround you, listen to the sounds of friends and family and you will find your serenity.  I know that I always do.

JOY TO THE WORLD, LET'S FIND PEACE, JOY, BEAUTY AND SERENITY IN THE CLOSE OF 2017 AND THE YEAR TO COME!