I’m chair dancing to Christmas music while hanging out with my mom as she wraps gifts. I feel so overcome with blessings. Those that know me, know that I am prone to mushy moments. LOL. I’m sitting here watching my mother while trying not to look creepy by staring. I am beyond blessed to have such a great mom. She’s so full of love and energy. She has always been there for me and never let me down. I’m blessed that she is alive. I am doubly blessed because I still have two living parents that are in decent health. Back to this moment, I’m watching her be in her element. She is meticulously wrapping gifts, including making custom envelopes and containers. Yes, my mom is old school. I think she has no idea that I’m watching her…well, until she reads this blog. The beauty of life are the simple moments. We have on a soundtrack of R&B holiday music enhanced by her singing and humming. I plan to soak up all of this time.

I am also reflecting on why Christmastime is so magical for me. Christmas is not about the money and the gifts, it’s about love. I remember my parents always being excited about Christmas and have memories of holiday music, along with the smell of cookies indelibly imprinted on my memory. We have annual family breakfasts with friends, a huge Christmas Eve family celebration that is followed up by more family fun time on Christmas. There are so many holiday memories. I remember my first car sitting in my uncle’s garage with a big red bow on it the Christmas Eve after I turned 16.

My cheeks hurt from smiling, and I can barely keep my eyes off my mom…except to type this blog:). I’m just so happy. I can’t stop swaying to the Christmas music, and this year I’ve been paying more attention to the words. This year has been characterized by self exploration for me, and Christmas means even more this year. I feel even more aligned with the themes of rebirth, love, redemption, and joy that surround the celebration of the birth of Christ. It is wonderful to have some quiet moments to reflect on how much love I have experienced over this year. I am blessed to interact with such lovely people, and I’m soaking up every ounce of love that comes my way. A friend once told me that part of their meditation is to visualize radiating love. I have adopted that as a meditation and as a goal for every day. Each day, I have the opportunity to practice being a beacon of love, and love is budget friendly. Not only is it free, but it grows. During this holiday season, I encourage you to be present and aware of the love that is around you. It’s so easy these days to passively go through life without being mindful. Christmas is a good time to push the reset button on love. Even if the year has had more downs that you would care for or loss that aches your heart, remember that love sets a path for healing.

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” -“Nature Boy” by Eden Ahbez

Christmas is not about the money and the gifts, it’s about love. Merry Christmas to all of you!!!!

Much nub,
Dr. Ericka