Exchanging garden bulbs for Christmas bulbs

Dr. Donna J. Mann

Change is good, it keeps me on my toes. I am reminded not to change 'just for the sake of change', but to find ways to bring newness and variety to life. Needless to say, I don't like mood swings in my life or in other peoples', but there are some very positive results to mood and attitude changes that actually brighten the corner where we are. Christmas is not always a happy time. Yet, in days of depression, grief or sorrow when some might wish that Christmas was over, there is still goodness. And so we experience opposites, contradictions, and change as natural as plum pudding and tinsel.

Although peace of mind, tranquility, and contentment are a source of strength, it's fulfilling to feel the opposite in excitement and the flow of adrenaline. It's energizing. It gives our day colour. It provides some spice and grit for life.

A beautiful garden whether it's yours or mine pleases me in the summer and encourages me to go home and plant some seeds. Children's laughter as they slid down the barn hill brings back pleasant memories and makes me wish that I could do that just one more time. I bring in the garden bulbs already anticipating next year's colour and go to the basement to dig out the Christmas bulbs knowing that the first flood of light on the house roof will earn applause. I take great joy in seeing the still green grass show through the snow even in the beginning of winter. As I approach the longest day of the year, I know that the very next day will have a few more moments of daylight.

What are some of the ways we can bring change, transformation and satisfaction into our life and the lives of others? Look at a ball of yarn in a store window and picture the sweater or mitts under the tree. Listen to an old man hum and make a plan to offer your gift of music to someone. Watch children at play and learn from them. Remember the loved one who is no longer present this Christmas and give a gift to a needy child in his or her memory. Look over your family tree and see those who are alone at Christmas and invite them to your table. Reflect on those conversations and exchanges with others that have grown a bitter root and find a way to reconcile. Stop and share a smile and handshake at the post office or stoplight.

Meet this Christmas season with energy, enthusiasm, anticipation, and hope in spite of any lingering shadows. Turn the everyday, ordinary and mundane events of each day into possibilities of a blessing. Look at your interaction with other people as seeds of hope and fresh beginnings in their lives. Give the greatest gift of love and offer it to other people in ways that will make a difference to them. Be assured that when you share material, spiritual or emotional gifts, goodness will be transformed to meet the needs of those around you.

Didn't I read somewhere that we are 'blessed to be a blessing'? And if we ever get to the point when we question what we have to share, perhaps it's time to turn to the One who fills and replenishes us and to give thanks -- both for the receiving and the privilege of giving. 

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Donna Mann is a grief counsellor at the Meadow's Retreat & Learning Circle, R.R.#2, Holstein, Ontario, N0G 2A0, email - dmann@log.on.ca. She welcomes your responses to Seasons of Life. Her column will appear monthly in The Chronicle.