12 Days of Peace & Love
All I want for Christmas is peace & love. Truly. When I look around me, I think it is what we all need. For as we know by middle age, material things do not bring lasting happiness or contentment, nor do they fill our lives with peace and love.
The 12 days of Christmas, traditionally beginning on December 25th and ending on January 5th, is an historically “sacred and festive” season. While its roots lie in Christianity, I like the idea of marking this season to elevate it from day to day life. Traditional ways of celebrating have included the giving of gifts, lighting of candles, and feasting. For many of us in the US, it is also a time we associate with the English Christmas Carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas.
As I was humming along to this song the other night, I thought to myself, “What the world needs more than a partridge in a pear tree and 5 gold rings is 12 days of peace & love.” And so I decided to create my own version of this song. To hold myself responsible for contributing more peace and love to this holiday season.
The Twelve Days of Peace & Love
On the first day of Christmas, I hugged and kissed my children and husband.
On the second day of Christmas, I gave my full attention to every conversation.
On the third day of Christmas, I gave others the benefit of the doubt.
On the fourth day of Christmas, I wrote little notes to my husband and kids to tell them how much they mean to me.
On the fifth day of Christmas, I gathered family and friends for a meal.
On the sixth day of Christmas, I gave gratitude for all the abundance in my life.
On the seventh day of Christmas, I did something nice for my neighbor.
On the eighth day of Christmas, I found time for myself and practiced a Loving Kindness meditation.
On the ninth day of Christmas, I was patient and forgiving rather than critical and judgmental.
On the tenth day of Christmas, I accepted that which I cannot change rather than continue to struggle for control.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, I focused on being interested and understanding rather than right.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, I loved unconditionally.
Parting Thought
In the spirit of you get what you give, what if we all gave a little more peace and love this holiday season? It costs nothing but its value is infinite.
Happy Holidays to you and yours. May it be a season of abundant peace, love, and light.
To be continued…
