Something wonderful. Families often go back to the basics. What is it all about really? Love? Gift giving? Parties? Eggnog? Cheer and more cheer? Friends and Family? Carols? Decorations? Snow? Trees? On and on and on… Everybody has something or things that make the holiday season extra special for them. Many times it is just the memories of all that has passed. For many it is only the contact with others in a festive atmosphere. Some say they feel alone since lost their whomever not here to share with this year. Some say they make their fun by going to everything possible under the sun. Some say they forget about themselves and make or do something for those sweet spirits who may be languishing someplace like a nursing home, hospital or even a jail. Yes, there is no end to the amount of people, all sweet souls to someone, at least sometime in their lives, who need or could use a bit of happy at the end of an outstretched arm. Happy to be alive to join that hand and arm in a greeting, a meeting of souls. Happy to have the ability to share anything at all of themselves with others. All too often we humans get a little battered by things seemingly more overwhelming than possible. The truth of the matter is that we allow ourselves to become the battered ones. We freely give up our power to those or that entity which demands our awareness. The more we dwell on something which usually turns out to be something we really don’t care for, the more power we have given it within our psyche. A super nice thing about Christmas is the promise of the perfect redeemer. Not only is the little babe Jesus of Nazareth embodied as this perfect Christ, but we have learned from the consciousness of Christ that we all are. Yes, we each are capable of being our very own redeemer! How cool is that? Whatever needs redeeming, we are there! Whatever needs reclaiming, it is there for us. Waiting. Yes, waiting. The Christ Consciousness has no time frame, it just is: always was, is and will be. Hope springs eternal. We each have the power to make each day our very best. We certainly have the ability to make this holiday season spectacular. Challenge yourself to do that which indeed resonates with you so this is the most memorable holiday season on your record. Forget about the past lurking in the shadows. Bring joy back into your surroundings by doing something new! Touch hearts by impacting someone with kindness, humanity, love! And Happy Holidays to you with a saucy Ho! Ho! Ho!

1. A child is energetic and inquisitive (as mentioned before).

2. A child in want, or need, is incredibly focused.

3. A child is full of trust and, in fact, knows nothing but trust in those surrounding him or her.

4. A child is full of ideas; that little brain may even be on system overload – yet they live with joy.

5. A child is happy with one step off a porch to remain fascinated, busy and smiling. (“KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid!” is the message to the old-timers.)

6. A child’s world happens in baby steps. Each is like birthing steps when first learning to walk.

7. A child likes the security of a bigger, stronger entity like a parent close as he/she begins toddling or playing at all.

8. A child doesn’t hold a grudge against a loved one who may admonish the youngster’s behavior – he/she is usually still full of love for the disciplinarian.

9. A child is happy with each thing he or she learns – always proud of the accomplishments.

10. A child is confident after learning something new, ready to take on the world – pregnant as the mother was before their birth -with the possibilities surrounding their unfolding being.

Maybe we older folks can take a few cues from the little tykes and connect again as a Child of God, reassessing our childlike attributes for a happy, healthy outlook on our own proactive and productive adulthood. With love and blessings…Peggy

Let’s consider a bull in a china shop, or a bully in the china shop of life. They rarely get a second invitation to enter the scene, anybody’s scene, since the creatures are so destructive. The bull or bully is never really careful. They plod and trod through their surroundings running roughshod over everyone and everything, not caring at what is left in shambles. How many of us sometimes act like that bull in a china shop? We humans have the wonderful ability to connect with the divine, in fact, should always be connected with the divine and that Divine is always careful. The moment, each moment, is perfectly synchronous at all times, totally “careful” – full of care. The Divine is everything in this perfectly synchronistic Universe. We humans also have the ability, the free will, to disconnect when it suits us, when we choose to become like a bull or bully in the china shop. Trample onward. Stomp out this one or that one. “Never mind, people, I can throw my weight around, force everyone to look at me, all ego-ed up, and just try n’ stop me!” Temper tantrums rule. Have you ever known someone who seemed to be thinking just that? Incredible but true, even though the scenario lacks truth as we study it. We can all probably relate to witnessing a temper tantrum when dealing with a child who realizes he or she can “push the buttons” and elicit a response where they believe they are “in control” to get what they want, what they wish for. Yet the reality of the situation is that the child proves that he or she is, in fact, just that – a child – lacking in maturity, lacking in care for anyone else but their own bruised egos for whatever the reason may be.
Proving ourselves by adding “careful” to the list of qualities we may aspire to is really a grand gesture for all in their realm. The beneficiaries of a “careful” attitude in turn are careful with the initiator and help to make our world a better place. How many bulls or bullies in china shops do we need at this time of our lives? Lessons learned, thank you all kindly. We need people who are “careful”, full of care, demonstrative, yet cautious in their treatment of others during their journey in life. It is not a sign of weakness to care for another; it is a sign of great strength, fortitude and knowledge. Be careful, take care and enjoy the care that you receive because it is truly connected to the Divine.

©2008, Peggy Lynn

Why feed those things which no longer serve our greater good? Why expend the energy to fuel those things which we no longer need? Let’s look to the animal kingdom to conserve for those lean, winter months as we streamline our own needs to saving that which we are absolutely certain benefit our being. If you are a big recycler, recycle. Like the old, dry leaves on the ground which are broken down into nutrients, then recycled to feed the soil which may be snow-covered soon in colder climes and later ready for that spring thaw. Sometimes, however, one must reassess if recycling something we no longer need is indeed beneficial to us. Storing the unwanted, hiding the stash until some possible future need arises is not really cleaning out what we may need to clean. Nor is it trusting God and ourselves to provide. Yes, the squirrel squirrels away nuts for those months they are unable to hunt for fresh protein, but we humans can refresh all year long really. Don’t waste time and energy on a stagnant supply: renew, refresh, and rejoice. “This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice, be glad in it!” That is everyday. Three-hundred-sixty-five days each year entrusted to us to live well. Be wise. Be good to yourself – so that you can be good to others. Trust in God like a tree whose sturdy trunk can withstand the dormant times and know new, beautiful leaves and flowers or fruit will come again to adorn their being. Store only the best nuts like a squirrel. Stick with the basics. Enjoy your humanness. Salud.

© 2008, Peggy Lynn

When we pray we are in the state of expecting an answer. Our expectancy that all will be working for our, or whomever’s, greater good is fairly unquestionable. Actually, that expected greater good may be the questionable part of our prayer! As intelligent beings, we seem to know just what we want, or don’t want. When we pray do we pray with the intention in mind? Do we pray with our preferred outcome in mind? Do we believe that we are the engineers of our lives? The architects of our journeys? The intelligence that knows our preferred outcome is the best solution for whatever our perceived dilemma of the moment brings? Are we really open to outcomes outside our vision and intent? Are we that sure that we are so intelligent to know it all? Not likely. Yet it keeps us in a state of angst all too often that something is happening that we cannot control so we pray for the outcome. As if our control is automatically fail safe. Let go and let God. Stop playing God for a moment and start being the child of God that you are. The concept of prayer which is probably as ancient as pre-Neanderthal mankind allows us to acknowledge a higher Intelligent Being, our God. So let go and let God. Stop thinking you know the answers for whatever you wish to change. Let God, let this Intelligent Being who is our Universe, provide the answers we seek for our relief, heartaches, dilemmas and such. While we’re at it, let’s give thanks for all that is going so well in our lives and those we love, the expectancy that all is ultimately well from every atom and tiny cell on up to the expectancy of our magnificent sun and moon providing the means for our physicality. Let us consider a prayer expectancy that all will be provided in our non-physical world as well.

©  2008, Peggy Lynn

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OPLATKI. Holidays are all about tradition.  An ancient ritual linking past with the present and hope for a better future celebrated in my Polish/Russian family annually is particularly endearing to me: the sharing of the Oplatki (oh-plawt-key). Oplatek is the singular noun but since our family was big, the plural “Oplatki” was all I knew. Meaning “angel bread” or Christmas wafer simulating manna from Heaven and/or the thin communion bread reflective of the Last Supper in Catholic services, the Oplatek is communion bread for the family setting. Communion means “with oneness” and by the end of this tradition the family has renewed all spiritual bonds and is one again to celebrate the birth of the Redeemer and start the new year.

Oplatki are rectangular, white, about 4×6” and always embossed with a religious scene. Colored Oplatki are used for household pets as animals were honored as the only eyewitnesses to the birth of Christ.  (If a colored one is shared with you, however, do not take offense as some may be unaware and are still honoring you as family.) Oplatki designs may be as endless as the tradition itself. There are manger scenes, the travelling holy family, trees of life, a church steeple, angels or the sleeping Christ to name a few. Each is exquisite. However, it is not the bread alone which is so special, although it certainly is. The thoughts behind the tradition are beautifully profound.

Oplatki are shared on the biggest family get-together night, Christmas Eve, the Vigil, waiting for the Babe in a manger, Christ, the Redeemer. The white Oplatki are stored in envelopes adorned with a rich Vigil scene, “Wigilia” (vee-gil-ya) in Polish. The colorful folk artwork is a depiction of this multi-generational Vigil gathering around the family’s feast table. The painting is rich with symbolism, perhaps containing sixty plus sacred symbols! One empty table setting honors all those departed family members, loved ones, and the Unseen Guest, Jesus the Christ, who have passed before them but helped the family become what it is today – hopeful of their return to bless this gathering. No painting is complete without, of course, a nativity scene, signs of prosperity, religious icons and animals of note. The envelope alone is worthy of safekeeping as a future Christmas decoration.

The ceremony starts when the children spot the first star of Christmas Eve and come inside with the good news that it’s Vigil time. There should be an even number of guests and often a homeless person or neighbor is rounded up to achieve this end. Thirteen entrees are served, one for the twelve apostles and the Redeemer. A small portion of food is set aside for the animals as well as the colored Oplatki.

Before partaking in the food though, the head of the household is always the first to offer thanks to God and the family, blessings as he or she desires and then breaks off a piece of the Oplatek for him/herself,  and makes amends in any way needed before passing the angel bread to the next person. Each breaks off a piece and holds onto it until everyone has a piece in hand. This is hard for some children who are excited for this favorite night as gifts are exchanged after dinner too. Some families require each member to bless the one passing it to them before they can break a piece off for themselves. Our family was big so the adults, aunts, uncles, grandparents did more talking than the children as I recall, but all were encouraged to offer their thanks, blessings and forgiveness to others. Shy children were certainly not forced into the limelight while everyone waited. Smaller families may do it differently and, in fact, I imagine there are as many ways of going around the family unit as there are Oplatek designs. All have an end result that the family, before dining on their feast, breaks bread with the group, in communion, in solidarity, bonded with each other in thanks, blessings, forgiveness and hope as preparation for receiving the Redeemer who is about to be celebrated come midnight. As each family member is purged of any negativity by seizing the opportunity to forgive any who need their forgiveness, or whom the person may need to ask for forgiveness, no one takes hurt feelings that no longer serve them into the new year. They redeem themselves as Christ the Redeemer constantly showed us the way at healthy spiritual living.

Life is all about redemption, isn’t it? We seem to constantly have a stream of opportunities to redeem ourselves, even though we often choose to ignore the little tempts at our well-being.  Enter the Oplatki in opening one more channel before the year’s end as we wine, dine, share space, camaraderie and bread break with our families, no matter who we choose as family. The tradition of the Oplatki encourages all that and so much more:  appreciation for past, present with future hope for the best in a cherished time-honored familial setting. Keep the bonds strong.  Start the new year with a clean slate. Let the Oplatki help you this holiday season as your ‘family” gathers to celebrate, break off a piece of  this little angel bread and give thanks for all and ask forgiveness of any that might have experienced unsettled feelings during this past year, for the good of yourself, and the good of the family. Family is really all about everyone sharing their hearts, dreams and blessings with clearing the air for peace in the world which has to start at home. Carpe diem! If you would like to seize your holiday time with Oplatki, even placing one or a portion for sharing in your mailed Holiday cards as many Slavs do, email me or call. Available while supplies last.

©2008, Peggy Lynn

Seems like we don’t live the “let go and let God” concept every time we worry about things. We worry about things that may happen, that may not happen, that are approaching, that are past. We worry about what someone may say, does say, might do, might think! It’s mind-boggling, the mental gyrations we humans seem to put ourselves through too often. We should get perfect tens in the Olympic Mind Games! Some of us do, no doubt. Yet just how does that accomplishment serve us as goal-oriented people? It doesn’t.

That worry usually comes as a result of learned behavior and it is our own internal behavior modification on ourselves. Who? What? Why? Whaaaaa! We sometimes worry about every little thing instead of just letting things unfold however they will, should or do. The worry part is mindless drivel in reality because time is unnecessarily wasted on worrisome thoughts and what will be, will be. And whatever it is – is perfect for us.

So then, if our fragile, mentally over-exercised, gymnastic, fantastic mindsets get the bowels in an uproar because, God forbid, someone, one of us, many of us, got feelings hurt, and they do get hurt because, God forbid again, we are, after all, human beings living in a spiritual world that is pretty perfect, but then again, not so much sometimes since we get hurt! Whew!! And “Pshaw!” Everything is always perfect. Maybe we are too sensitive because we’re human, but maybe we just need some lesson in our lives that strikes a cord so deep that it cuts to the core. Ouch! That hurts. That really hurts! So what do we do?

Many times we just want others to know we hurt. “This happened…and this…and that…” the list can go on and on. In fact, it may be as infinite as God Itself. Do we have a need to tell? Do we have a need to own the hurt that much? Man, humans, are pretty possessive by nature. We own our cars and we are proud of them. Our houses. Or our businesses. Or money. Whatever. Yup, we are owners alright. So it’s time to disown ourselves if those selves are not serving our own greater good. Really. It seems people can hold onto, own, hurt that happened to them years, years, before! Goodness sakes! We seem to stock our emotional “banks” and make withdrawals at some opportune future moment. What is that all about?! Chances are, if someone is holding onto one hurt, there are more lurking, lined up in the emotional arsenal. How does that serve anyone?! It can’t. Anytime a hurt lasts that long, or any serious length of time, you no longer own it – it owns you!

Yes, we willingly, sillily if that’s a word, give up our power to some hurt, emotion, worry, rat-racing roller-coaster, for what? For what?! To hold it until a time when it can resurface on a whim to throw back at another, to let another know we might have been, no, we were hurt, by-gosh, back then (and incidentally, it’s you’re fault). “You remember, way back then…”

How silly are we?! How really stupid are we sometimes???!!!! To willingly give up our great potential, our personal power, for some little “back atcha” moment that may or may not come sometime, anytime, in the future but we vindictively want it to come. Goofballs! Yes, we are goofballs to live life so carelessly full of care for something not worth caring for. Now I don’t mean to say people should never get their feelings hurt and others can be insensitive bullies. No. That will happen as we are humans and will get feelings hurt again sometimes. We are humans that need to be good to each other though too, because we need each other.

Humans with a Divine Spark, still imperfect but progressing towards Divinity, our own Oneness with God. We can get hurt. It’s possible. We just don’t need to hold onto it! We can let it go! We can lift our own oppression from whatever weight we give the little monster so that we can live joyful again. Full of joy – not just pretending with a smile and loaded baggage in the closet ready to take us into another realm lived a long time ago. No, real joy. True joy. Joy that lifts us, elevates us, changes our vibration, into that realm where we have let go and let God because we’ve now become One!

If any of this resonates with you, just be good to yourself because you deserve it! This magnificence is here for us to enjoy and experience full of enthusiasm and wonder and let no one, no thing, no hurt, no silliness, stand in your way to a sweet, glorious, joyful, awesome, life. Namaste.

Love and blessings,

Peggy Lynn