Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Fried chicken and Bud Light

Catchy title, isn’t it? No, this blog post isn't about the terrors of Bud Light and fried chicken, and how they will affect your cholesterol AND your liver, although I don‘t condone indulging in either (at least not on a regular basis). Rather, I want to share with you a profound moment I experienced just the other day that involved these two very key elements.

The holidays, especially the entire month of December has always been a huge source of stress for me. I’m always lamenting about this and that, holiday parties, gifts, etc….you name it, I’m anxious about it. Try as I may to remain calm this time of year, I just don’t think it’s in my chemical makeup NOT to be stressed about something. Damn DNA.

That being said, there always seems to be some sort of internal conflict happening in my brain. I know I shouldn’t be stressed, yet I am….at the same time, I search for the blessings, the little nuggets of goodness that I know are buried out there, just waiting to be discovered. Whether it be witnessing the simple smile of a stranger in a crowded store, a fellow driver waving me to merge into traffic, or a random act of kindness - it matters not. What matters to me is that each incident reminds me of how good I have it. REALLY good. Sure, I could complain about the things I don’t have, but instead, I need to stay focused on all the good stuff, the multitude of things I DO have.

Let me elaborate. The other night, the hubs and I were walking the two pups. Naturally, being in the throes of winter at 6 pm, it was dark outside. We were chatting away, looking at the Christmas lights, and noticing the warm glows that radiated from the homes in our neighborhood. That is, until, we passed a house just a few doors down from ours. Standing in her kitchen was a neighbor, a casual acquaintance, that we only know briefly thru conversations as we pass each other in the street. We know enough of her to know that she is recently divorced, and this is her first Christmas since the break up. I glanced into her window as we passed, and was struck by the enormity of the fact she was standing in her kitchen, eating her dinner, all alone. The sadness that I felt at that moment overtook me, and I had to take a minute to compose myself. I made a comment to the hubs about it, and we both agreed that it must be very hard to be alone this time of year.

As we walked closer to our house, our neighbor across the street was just getting home. We know enough about him to know that his wife passed away recently, and he too is likely spending the holiday alone. As he emerged from his truck, he held a bucket of KFC fried chicken in one hand, and under his other arm cradled a 12 pack of Bud Light. Now, to some this may be a dinner of champions, but on this night all I could feel was heartache for this lonely man. Hubs and I both were quiet for a moment, and then he turned to me and quietly said, “I’m really glad I’m not eating fried chicken and Bud Light for dinner tonight.”

Me too.

In this magical, stressful, wonderful, crazy time of year, I am so blissfully grateful for all that life has bestowed upon me. I intend to cherish every moment I have with my friends and family, and not let the stress of "small stuff" override my joy.

My Christmas wish is that each and every one of you are able to go beyond the chaos of the holiday prep, past the packages and bows, outside all of the crowds, and really reflect on all the wondrous miracles that are in your present. Expand your senses, open your eyes, and savor every single magnificent moment life throws your way.

I know I intend to. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night.

“Christmas is joy, religious joy, an inner joy of light and peace.”
~Pope Francis