~ Things the Holidays have Taught me ~

After months mostly spent indoors at the computer, my boys and I headed to the coast to spend Christmas with family.

It was a lot of fun. We stayed a whole week, with the boys going back with their father to the city for one day and night, to kayak with their other cousins. I surprised myself by swimming every day, sometimes twice. It was great.

While there, I went from feeling the stress of Christmas to relaxing. My brother arrived with injuries, hardly able to move. Yet, by the time they left, he was looking like his old self. His partner suffers from an ongoing illness, and yet, while on holiday with us she had more “good days” than ever.

I pondered this as I holidayed, and I realized there is therapy in travel…in being somewhere ‘different’

In fossicking about in rock-pools

In connecting with the earth – actually touching it

In making new friends

In risking a little discomfort for the adventure

In spending quality time with your cuzzies

In hanging out with your siblings

In being outdoors in the fresh air, sometimes doing nothing, sometimes climbing a mountain

In fishing

And swimming

In snatching one last dip with the kids and nephews before the sun goes down

There is therapeutic value in spending time with family. Full stop. Gathering under the same roof, especially during a festive time, helps to build and maintain those bonds. All the feasting and partying also expands the waistline! Never mind, the worry and guilt can wait till next year.

These festive celebrations deepen the important connections in our lives. We feel the love. We feel plugged back into our families again.

I’ve returned to the city feeling refreshed, invigorated, calm and peaceful. I’m ready to work! I look forward with optimism to the year ahead. Bring on 2017!

Talk to you later.

Happy New Year!

Yvette K. Carol

+

“The Artist is no other than he who unlearns what he has learned, in order to know himself.” ~ E.E. Cummings

+

 

Subscribe to my Newsletter by emailing me with “Newsletter Subscription” in the subject line to: yvettecarol@hotmail.com