Partying as a Spiritual Discipline
Consider this a holiday public service announcement.
I would like to remind us all that a big problem with holidays is they are not predictable or reproducible. Also it is unwise, unnecessary, and unhealthy to attempt to avoid them. If you are dreading some of the upcoming holiday hassles, this one’s for you.
Right now you may be psyching up for the Big Day, both planning for a wonderful time and dreading you won’t be able to pull it off. Of course you know some things you can control, but most of it is beyond your control — especially the behavior of others, including plants and pets.
And you also are aware of the fact that sometimes we pull it off. Everyone, as far as we are aware, has a great time. The food is delicious, the gifts are perfect, and no one annoying overstays their visit.
But then there are those other years. The same important day hits and something, or many things are just off. The most significant bummer usually is that we are not with someone or many ones we love. Some have passed away. Others, for many reasons, just can’t make it. So we muddle through the best we can knowing it’s missing some magic.
So now, here’s the great news I wanted to remind us about once again as we are planning and shopping ahead of The Big Day.
This upcoming holiday is really not about you or me.
Whether or not it meets some standard we have set in our imaginations, is of no importance. If this hurts your feelings, then I’m glad we got this out of the way so you can step into the spiritual discipline of partying for others this upcoming holiday.
That’s right.
You are going to be with others to love on them, especially the sad, lonely, and little ones.
Think about your best Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthday, or other holiday ever. You were probably a child.
What made it so wonderful?
I’ll bet it was the intentional loving of certain adults in your life. They gave you attention. They celebrated you celebrating that holiday perhaps for the first time.
Now you are the adult and the shoe is on the other foot. It is your turn to be there for others, especially children, to help them celebrate.
Finally, let me make a little prediction. If you give yourself away this holiday season to bless others, it is very likely you won’t have such a bad time yourself.
Just sayin…
