2023 has been a difficult year for me, both personally and seeing how the world is trending. So I can find it hard to find joy, though I usually love Christmas time.
I read this article by Anne Lamott in the Washington Post - The Dressing Room Encounter that made me get Real about Aging, and it really spoke to me. She had a line in it - "love and service make us rich." And it is just so true. I find whenever I am feeling lost or tired, being with people I love or serving the community in some way, just makes me feel better.
When I meet strangers of a certain age I ask them how many grandchildren they have. Six one woman proudly replied. You are so rich! I told her, and she beamingly agreed. Not that you need grandchildren (or children) to have riches, but you don't need money either. You need a sense of place in the world. Houses of Worship can give that to you, but so can organizations that you value.
I belong to the CWA - the Country Women's Association, a group of practical, down to earth women who try to fix what they can and fundraise for issues they find important. And they are so crafty! I so admire a woman who can go to a 2 hour meeting and walk out with a crocheted hat. It's like magic! I am not crafty - but I can sell - so I help them get all their hats and aprons and Christmas ornaments together and sell them to others and give the money back to women in the country. A virtuous circle.
So if you are feeling poor in time and energy, I hold you in my heart. It's been a tough year. But one source of renewable energy for me, is Love and Service. Don't have someone to love? Go and give service. I know it sounds strange but giving to others can fill you up and make you feel connected and then you feel richer in energy, and then you find love - maybe from a person, maybe from a dog, maybe from a community.
Wishing you a warm and safe Christmas and with Love and Service to make you rich...
