Today
The Christmas Leftovers: What Feelings Did You Take Home?
by Pat Samples
Posted December 26, 2006 5:13 AM
Posted December 26, 2006 5:13 AM
Posted in
Author, Body Odyssey: Lessons from the Bones and Belly
www.bodyodyssey.biz
We take home more than gifts and cookies after spending time with the relatives. All the family dynamics as we eat, exchange gifts, and share holiday rituals go home with us as leftover feelings. The hurt from Aunt Catherine's criticism, the disappointment because one of the children or siblings didn't show up, the feeling of warmth because somebody cared enough to get you something very special. They're all part of the wrappings to be dealt with before the holiday season is over.
Give yourself a special after-the-holiday gift this year. Take the time to journal to express the jumble of feelings sitting in your gut or your throat or your heart or wherever your body holds the unfinished business. Ask that hurting (or happy) part of your body to be the "writer." Let it have its say, telling you its most deeply held secrets. With the freshness of all the holiday experiences at hand, more honesty than usual may show up on the page.
Then, ask the same body area what would help ease any discomfort it's feeling, and again invite it to write to you. Your body is pretty smart. Use its wisdom to guide the shaping of your resolutions for 2007.
Author, Body Odyssey: Lessons from the Bones and Belly
www.bodyodyssey.biz
Comments (5)
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Posted January 10, 2008 10:03 PM
So glad to find your site. Just glad the holidays are over. Maybe we just expect people that are inconsiderate, uncaring throughout the year will magically change at Christmas. Maybe we just expect too much of Christmas. I have made the decision that next year, I will tell everyone I am out of town for the holidays and instead, spend it with my two dogs who love me all through the year. I'm tired of going through the trouble and expense of cooking and buying gifts for people who don't acknowlege me all year until Christmas and then just show up, eat, open their gifts and leave. Again, no thought put into the one gift I recieved and nothing from the rest of them. I never hear from them unless they need a ride to the airport, watch their dog or need something. I did take your advice and buy myself something that I wanted (I even wrapped it, lol). Thanks for your site.
Posted January 4, 2007 4:49 AM
Holiday leftovers
Pat Samples made an interesting post over the holidays about Christmas leftovers. She opines that we take home more than gifts and leftovers after spending time with our relatives. Often we take home disappointment over unmet needs or unrealistic expec...
Posted January 2, 2007 1:17 AM
Hi Gippy. Thanks for your inspiring story. So good to know it's possible to break the generational pain. How wonderful that you are reaping what you have given to your children.
Posted January 2, 2007 12:43 AM
As always, a wonderful subject Pat. As I mentioned earlier, having been raised in a dysfunctional, abused childhood home, holidays were a real nightmare. I always had to prepare for emotional hurt and sorrow at every holiday even into adulthood when I prepared and had the dinners (never good enough). We just went through the motions because it was expected. I was able somehow to not carry that on and raise my daughters with much love and laughter at the holidays. Today I bring home from the holidays wonderful memories, warm hugs, much laughter, and precious meaningful gifts from my children and grandchildren, cousins and close friends. The difference is that they are loving, caring holidays, not 'have to' holidays. Happy holidays and good health to everyone here! Gippy.
Posted January 3, 2007 2:52 AM
Thanks Pat. I am blessed and know it every day, especially coming from where I've been. Thanks to you also for your wonderful writing! You always make me think and that's a good thing. Gippy
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