Wishing you a happy holiday

Practice gratitude and kindness this holiday season.

Snowshoeing with John and Teddy in Bend, Oregon, last week.

“May you be surrounded by friends and family, and if this is not your lot, may the blessings find you in your solitude.” - Leonard Cohen

Happy holidays, and thank you for subscribing to Awakening to the Truth. I want to acknowledge those of you who have been with me for many years. It means so much that you are here with me - all of you. Thank you for subscribing if you’re new here.

I’m excited to share more about resilience, mindset, spirituality, and how we can grow during difficult times. I learned how to create a strong inner life when I was tethered to tubes and a bed during my six-week hospitalization after the car wreck in Baja, Mexico. It taught me a lot that I can share with you. You can create a strong inner life to retreat to when the outer world is chaotic.

After posting my photo on snowshoes above, I remembered when I could no longer participate in outdoor sports. After back surgeries in 1989 and 1990, I gave up golf, rafting, downhill skiing, and horseback riding. I was depressed for a while but realized I’d focus on what I could do instead of what I could no longer do.

I could cross-country ski, snowshoe, walk, swim, and more. I had to grieve my losses before I learned to focus on what I could do. This practice will help all of us with aging as we can no longer do certain activities.

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Growing up in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in the 1950s, Christmas was one of my family’s favorite holidays. On Christmas Eve, we always went to my father’s parents' house for dinner and to open presents.

Nana and Grandaddy cooked turkey with dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and cranberry sauce. Nana also made her famous yeast rolls, which she placed on top of the refrigerator to rise before dinner. The sweet smell of the yeast made my mouth water when we entered their home each year.

Our Christmas Eve tradition continues today, although it has changed. This evening we will go to my son’s house late for dinner. His wife works as a Hospitalist. After she gets off work today, we will have dinner and open a few gifts with them. I’m having the time of my life playing with my toddler grandson!

I want to wish you a wonderful holiday.

*Remember, if you are alone or without relatives during the holidays, reach out and do something kind for a neighbor who might be alone and need holiday cheer. Helping others is a way of shifting your attitude. Try it!

Sending you lots of love,

Sherold