Sometimes I Write

I received the following in my inbox today. I love the emails and reminders I get from Flylady. I hope you enjoy her thoughts on getting in the holiday spirit.

Dear Friends,
My heart is breaking right now. I have received a few emails from our members that just were not in the spirit of the season because they had no money for presents. In fact they were not even going to put up a tree because they had no presents to go under it. I am not upset because of feeling sorry because of their money problems. I am hurt because they feel that Christmas has to do with STUFF!

Stuff has robbed us of our lives, home and now the love that is part of this season. The very best gift you can give is you! It doesn’t take money to spend time with a friend. To tell the truth I don’t remember much about the gifts that I have given that were just more STUFF. I remember the ones that I gave when I didn’t have the money to give more clutter! So what if you don’t have money for gifts. If you will get out of this ole poor me attitude and realize that you have all you will ever need right inside of you. Love is the gift that keeps on giving! Even if you have money for gifts: stop giving the easy gift(the one you buy with money) and give you! Make up gift certificates for Date nights with your children or as some of us have done: Turn off your computer! Give your children a simple board game gift certificate and have family fun night once a week. There are lots of things you can do! Use your imagination! Life is too short to ruin the spirit of the holiday season because of a lack of money!

I remember one year my mother was so bummed out over marital problems that she didn’t even put up a tree! We were little children: I was the oldest at 9 years old. So instead of doing what she could with what we had, she chose to do nothing. She always loved going all out for the holidays. But this year she was wallowing in self-pity because her marriage was falling apart. I have always felt bad when I think about this: but now I realize that I had to know this feeling to be able to share it with you. Just so you know right now I am very thankful for this awful Christmas and I have great big tears rolling down my face because I have finally forgiven her. If you are feeling this kind of despair then step out and pretend to be in the holiday spirit. Go to a nursing home and volunteer for a day. Volunteer at a food bank putting together and delivering boxes to needy families. If you will just look you will find there are many people out there that are in worse shape than you are. If this holiday season brings back bad memories: then forget about them! My mother died on Christmas eve. I don’t let that pull me down, because it was her favorite time of year. Find something to be thankful for and celebrate the joy in living and touching others with your love!

Rita Davenport taught me many years ago that if money will fix it! It is not a problem. I want you to think very long and hard about this phrase. Now quit feeling sorry for yourself and do something that will help others. That is the fastest way to get into the spirit of the season. If you give love you will receive it in return. I want for you what I have; Peace and this peace came from letting go material possessions and reaching inside of me to find the love that I can give to others. {{{HUGS}}} I love you all!FlyLady