12-18-2020

 

Mary’s Minute

“A tradition is kept alive by something being added to it.”  

                                                            ~ Henry James

With the holidays approaching in the midst of a pandemic, families are being forced to rethink their traditions and make sacrifices in the name of safety.

My kids and I have developed some traditions over the years that have to be adjusted this year.  For instance, on Christmas Eve we usually visit the local nursing home to deliver cards or gifts and then we go to eat at a Mexican restaurant.  We can’t do that this year, so we have shifted our plan to spend time together as a family making cards for the nursing home that we will drop off and then we will eat carryout Mexican food at home.

I have talked to a lot of people over the last few weeks who are amending their family traditions in some really neat ways in order to celebrate the holidays safely.

Henry James suggests that traditions are kept alive by adding to them, but I am going to suggest that they are kept alive by making adjustments and thinking about what in the tradition makes it special.  What about the tradition really matters? 

I guess in the example of my kids, the part that is important is queso and kindness!  

Admittedly, the pandemic is forcing people to give up many things that are important, like being with family.  Still, my hope is that your holiday season can be filled with love and traditions old and new!

                                                                          Happiest of Holidays!

                                                                       Mary

12-11-2020

 

Mary’s Minute

“For it is in giving that we receive.”

                                                    ~ Francis of Assisi

As many of us are busy preparing for Christmas gift giving, I am inspired by St. Francis’ reminder of the joy of giving.  I know that St. Francis was not just talking about material gifts, but all of our gifts.  During this time of year I can’t help but draw the comparison of the joy we receive from both giving physical gifts and of giving of our own time and talent.

 

I admit that I love shopping for Christmas gifts.  It is so much more fun to give than to receive, and I am grateful for the wonderful feeling of giving.  Selfishly, I like to buy my kids what I like to give them and I get so excited thinking about them opening their gifts!

The joy of giving material gifts provides a metaphor for the feeling we can get in giving of ourselves.  For instance, when you need a reminder of why doing for others is important for us, remember the joy of a toddler on Christmas morning.  How can we not smile as the giver?

The greatest way to find happiness is to give, rather than to receive.  As Ben Sweetland said, 

We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own.”  I love Christmas, and I hope that I can light a torch for others because I sure am grateful for my path being brightened by the joy of giving!

 

                                                                    Have a great week!

                                                                    Mary

12-4-2020

 

Mary’s Minute

“Each person does see the world in a different way. There is not a single, unifying, objective truth. We're all limited by our perspective.”

                                                                                                       ~ Siri Hustvedt

 

The pandemic has taught us many lessons, among them the value of perspective.  The pandemic can be compared to a tumultuous storm at sea, and sometimes we use the phrase, “we are all in the same boat,” but Rick Davis has rejected this analogy.  He maintains, and I agree, that although we are all in the same storm, we are all in different boats based on our unique circumstances and world views.  We all bring a different perspective to life and specific situations.  

Some of us are more affected by worries about our own health because of underlying conditions or concerns about family members.  Others come at the situation from a perspective of science and carefully review data daily.  We all see life from a different life views – some of us are quicker to worry, while others are more laid back. 

I think the key for us all to recognize that we all see the world differently, and there is not a right way to see it.  COVID has put that to the test, and it is important for us to be patient with different perspectives.  We can all agree that it is challenging for everyone, but not necessarily in the same ways. 

                                                                                   Hang in there!               

                                                                                                   Mary