Holiday spirit: An opportunity for kindness

Dear Ted,

This year has been a doozy! Between the crazy world of politics to other insanities that continue to flow into our brains from all the many different sources of information, I feel rather depleted and rather afraid of what is around the corner. I notice people being mean to one another rather than communicating and learning from one another. I keep feeling a certain level of tension that seems to keep everybody on guard and probably rightfully so.

I keep hoping that Christmas cheer can bring some new light into the world and I don’t even mean from a religious place, but from a heart place. Why are people shutting down and being mean to one another? Thanks, Hoping for Love

Dear Hope,

I would have to agree with you. There is a level of anger that seems to be overflowing these days, leading to difficult reactions. These can have a ripple effect that go past the intended target. It is also sad to see that the communication that could dissipate and remove conflict doesn’t happen. With each event or experience, your brain creates a story. The story may really be what happened, but it may also be a “made-up” story, one that you believe and is the truth, too.

Each person’s story then sets up the decisions and actions for the next step along one’s path. With communication and a coming together, there can be an opportunity to at least understand another’s opinion, expand on each other’s story and have a better foothold to respond rather than react.

The ability to open your heart, connect with others and allow kindness to be the great navigator is an important part of the holiday spirit. Most of the time when you are scared, angry or confused, decisions will be reactive and can hurt you as well as others.

I like to think of the holiday season, including all types of religious and spiritual events, as a time to remember how we should try to live each and every day from a place of love and respect for all. We can remember each person is trying to navigate a very difficult world and when there is an opportunity to find kindness to connect, rather than find differences to stimulate fear and distance, the world can feel safer. Differences might decrease as we each come to the realization that each of us is only doing our best. As you think about Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, the lighting of the community tree, the fires at the Pueblo and all other ways that people come together, there can be a sense of forgiveness, hope, community and love. If this can be a time that we set difference aside and see that in actuality, we have more commonalities, we can open our doors and allow the magic of connection to resonate through the trials and tribulations while opening miraculous potential.

I wish everybody blessings this holiday season no matter what one’s beliefs are. We are all individuals who matter and want to feel safe and loved.

I wish you well. Until next week, take care.

Golden Willow Retreat is a nonprofit focused on emotional healing and recovery from any type of loss. Direct questions to Wiard, founder, at (575) 776-2024 or gwr@newmex.com.