Perhaps the mother and father of all the holiday celebrations is the Solstice promising the return of the light of day. We can all drop our roles and heavy responsibilities for this season and concentrate on the good things our souls crave to express. We live in a country where all traditions should be able take their unique expansive breath of celebration. In this culture we have combined the joys of the spirit and returning light with the secular turning over of the calendar. We include the new year in which we can promise ourselves something better about ourselves and our community in the next 12 month cycle. 

After a day’s work I used to return to my hotel room if I was on the road and a wash of relief that was nearly sensual would spread over me when I heard the click of the door behind me. I could breath. My job role involved being one of those people from the capital city of the state, near the top of the pole, that many people didn’t entirely trust because of my role. My work role fit me like a suit too tight to allow a full breath. This is the season to disrobe your role, feel the full breath, and savor the intimacy of being vulnerable to the joys of your community. Stuff all the troubles of the world into the pockets of that role you just took off and lock it with your worries and grievances in the closet until next year.

Meanwhile I hope you can make a positive resolution to let out some of the seams on the suit of whatever role you will resume next year. With the full breath, the beautiful music, the abundant food of these holidays may come an upwelling of your sense of good from within you. That is the gift and wisdom of the holidays. Mark it with your memory. Cheerfulness is a form of wisdom. Genuine cheer just might up light up the path for the next year even when your soul’ solstice light must illuminate the occasional tunnel of darkness we know to expect in 2025. The Good Decision wishes everyone the cheer and joy of the season.