Our valley has once again been covered in a sparkling, blanket of white. Driving my kids to school this morning, I uttered the words I have said several times in the last two days. "Isn't it breathtaking?"
It's so stunningly, beautiful, it makes me cry.
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| As I write this post, it's snowing again lightly. You can't even see the lake below our house. Magical! |
Although winter has it's draw backs in many cases; the biting cold and it took us longer to get going yesterday morning, as both David and I had to clear the drive way, but what it brings to my life is well worth it.
We are forced to slow down a bit more, take our time as we move out into the world. In that pace, a beacon of light shines into my soul and insights often occur. They are light houses, guiding me safely on my journey. Inspiring me to keep going.
As the snow lightly fell as I was shoveling yesterday, I was thinking how each of us is like a precious snowflake; unique and stunningly beautiful. We have the ability to change the world by the choices we make every day. And yet, many of us squander that time. We rush around with our to do lists running through our heads like a chiming mantra.
Do we feel joy?
Do we feel peace?
Do we feel hope?
and most important of all.....
Do we feel love?
I can tell you the answer to that, at least from my perspective, and that is a resounding, "NO!"
While this is a magical time of year in so many ways, many of us are driven by the lists running in our heads. We are stressed and burnt out. We get sick easier, as we are not sleeping long enough to get a good rest. We are generally feeling unwell. It's like a vicious circle that keeps us down.
One of my sons, dealing with University exams and deadlines, was recently finding the stress debilitating. When he would call me in a panic, I would simply remind him to fill his lungs deeply and slow down to get grounded.
Stop and
BREATHE!
Are exams life and death?
Let's put things in perspective here.
We have a choice how we want to feel.
We have a choice how we impact the world around us too.
The other day when I was walking around the grocery store, list in hand, trying to get out as fast as I could so I could pick up the kids from school, I saw a neighbour in the produce department. I think she saw me too out of the corner of her eye and she quickly moved on.... probably with a similar list in hand. Just as well, I thought as I moved into the bread section, as I can get out of here more quickly.
Then we literally ran into each other in the dairy section. We had to STOP and talk to each other. I'm so glad too as that short little, sweet interlude, catching up on each other's lives; each other's Christmas holiday happenings,propelled me forward, reminding me why we are on this planet together.
We are here to support each other and make life more pleasant. I left the store with a smile on my face and I hope she felt some warmth too.
We can make a difference in each other's lives by caring about each other, by smiling and giving a hug, by wishing each other all the best in life, not just at this holiday time, but ALL year through.
My kids get this. They don't move through their days with lists in their heads or their hands. Nope...but if there was a list running through their little brains, its would be for them to experience
fun,
fun
and
more FUN!
And they are naturally kind too. They don't need to slow down because they are already at a perfect, in sync pace with the world. They live in the moment. They breathe deeply. They laugh from the belly, and they hug without restraint.
Huh!
I can take a few lessons from them....oh and dogs and cats are good at teaching life lessons too.
So I hope that you are able to take a moment this holiday season.
STOP!
be still,
listen to the silence
and
BREATHE!
Chat with a neighbour, hug a child, sit with a pet.
Listen to the bells of silence,
They are ringing with magic.
Let it resonate deep into your soul.
Let the beauty of the season make you weep.
Rejoice.
This life is so precious.
You are so precious!
And speaking of magic.....I want to share my whipped shortbread with you. Yes, they are magic in a little cookie. I got this recipe from an dear, dear, co-worker, Elaine, years ago. She gave it to me when I was in my twenties and I've been making it every year since.
Now it is part of our Christmas tradition. Each time I make it, I think of Elaine and smile.
If you don't have a great shortbread recipe, let this be part of your tradition too. Plus......it's so easy!
Last night, I stayed up late making these cookies and watching, "It's a Wonderful Life." "Yawn!", but it was worth it. This movie is also a yearly tradition. It reminds me how deeply each of us touch each other. Instead of giving gift cards to our children's teachers this year, we decided to give them a piece of our Christmas tradition....a tin of these cookies and some tea and a little snowflake ornament, reminding them how unique they are.
I hope you try making these cookies and years to come, and as you make them, you will think of Hope and smile.
Hope's Whipped Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
1 lb of unsalted butter
3 cups of flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Opt: package of Toblerone chocolate
Christmas sprinkles or glazed cherries
Directions
Cream butter, add remaining ingredients and beat until fluffy. Roll into balls, press down with a fork.
Decorate with little chunks of Toblerone chocolate and Christmas sprinkles. You can also grate the Toblerone and add it to the cookie dough. A classic for this cookie, is decorating them with red and green glazed cherries.
Bake on an ungreased pan at 325 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes
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| This morning I was getting the tins ready...glade I stayed up late and did my baking! |
I
Magic is in the air.
Can you feel it?
Merry Christmas my dear blogging family.
You are a precious snowflake.
Until we meet again, may you be well, happy and peaceful.
Blessings from Hope
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