\u201cWhat do YOU want for Christmas?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s Santa\u2019s line. As young as possible, we are supposed to teach to children to have a dream. What thrills your heart? Think of what it might be. Consider the alternatives, which is best? We tell kids they are supposed to come up with a cherished wish. They have the permission and the expectation that they should come up with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s a sweet pressure that we put on the kids. It\u2019s something we want to instill. What do you want? Let it out\u2026the people need to know. People are standing by to help make the wish come true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m not a kid. Maybe I\u2019m permanently part of the wish-fulfillment committee now. I\u2019ve got some resources and skills now that I didn\u2019t\u2019 have when I was 10. I can make these wishes come true, and it\u2019s a joy to help the kids in my life have their cherished fulfilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s part of the magic of Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And still\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wishes aren\u2019t just for kids. I have a family of people who want to know my hopes as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But like I said, I have skills and resources. I can help 10 year-olds with their wishes, but I can handle my own wishes, thank you very much. I don\u2019t need any help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s the problem with being a serious grown up. I don\u2019t need any help. I fulfill my own wishes almost as soon as I have them. I am a serious grown person. I know that I have to be serious about the things I wish for. I don\u2019t need to bother other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The magic of Christmas is a lot of bother. To land that special moment of being there for each other, it takes planning and preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We train our kids for it. And then I, like Ebeneezer Scrooge, don\u2019t participate in the season by making that effort to dream of what I might want. My family wants to join in with me. That means I have to join too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s hard! I have stuff to do. I have responsibilities and priorities. I don\u2019t have time to think about what I like and what I want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every night, my cat has a routine. More than just the basics of food and water, which we have locked down, he will stand by to pursue his delight. He will quietly and expectantly stalk my husband to have their time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When my husband puts his feet up on the couch, reading stories from his iPad, kitty jumps in. This is his moment\u2014their moment. There are blankets, there is a special cubby between his legs and the back of the couch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Into the cubby, kitty settles himself. He fits in there with the blanket and my husband\u2019s leg. He stretches his legs and kneads the blanket with his claws in the ancient way of cats. My husband knows that this is kitty\u2019s wish, and he makes a place for kitty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The claws do hurt a bit, but my husband will tolerate it for the pleasure it brings our cat. They have a near-nightly tradition of this special time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I confess, I am jealous of the cat. Why does he get to have special cuddle time with my husband?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And instantly I know the answer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kitty makes the time. Kitty asks for this and my husband is happy to give it to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am the one rushing around from this to that and half the time am barking answers to my family about this or that activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If I want what kitty\u2019s got, I have to do what kitty is doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have to make the space in my heart, mind and schedule to recognize what my wishes are and to let people give them to me.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cWhat do YOU want for Christmas?\u201d That\u2019s Santa\u2019s line. As young as possible, we are supposed to teach to children to have a dream. What thrills your heart? Think of what it might be. Consider the alternatives, which is best? … Continue reading