What is Charm —

 

“I’m convinced that it’s energy and humor. The two of them combined equal charm.” – Judith Krantz

 

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Simple Pleasure

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Bright Stars

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Holiday Winds

It’s the season of plenty again, in the stores and along the shopping aisles. Colorful merchandise and wrappings beckon, creatively assembled gift packs tempt, even as gifts to oneself.

But amidst the bustle, the vicissitudes of daily life continue.

Tv ads touting easy loans blare louder. Calling out to those whose salary and money cannot stretch any further, but who do not want to be left out of the merriment.

Overheard at the cashier counter at Walmart. A pregnant woman tells her little son holding a packet of cookies. “We can’t have that. I don’t have enough money.”

Overheard at the next aisle in Target. A woman talking on her cell phone. “Dad, I’ve taken out a restraining order against him.”

And there are those who dream of an invitation to someone’s home, but know they will eat the holiday meal alone.

At this time of the year, as the cold winds blow stronger, swirling around the night shoppers, there is a corresponding intensity of the expectations and limitations of one’s life.

Thus, at this time of year, there is a greater need for the two qualities that have buttressed people through all the seasons. Kindness, to others and especially to oneself, and resilience to weather the twists and turns of life.

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Simplicity

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New Year Hues

To all fellow-bloggers, followers, readers and everyone:

Yellow for sunshine

Blue for clear skies

Crystal for clarity of the heart.

Wishing you all the colors that you desire

in the New Year.

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A Gift to Myself

There was a time in my life when I was going through a transitional and painful period.

I could not have made it without the support of family and friends. But at the same time, I had to do the work to heal myself and move on with my life. In the process, I realized that I had to learn to be my own best friend. I had to be my own advocate.

At times, when my internal dialogue veered towards being hard on myself or to be despondent, I asked myself this question: “What if your best friend had come to you, and said that she had that same internal dialogue about herself? What would you say to her?”

When I thought about it, I knew that my response would be to sooth her, tell her not to be too hard on herself, and offer encouragement or a solution. So I started responding to myself in this manner, and I found that this strategy that I had read about, helped a great deal.

My healing, as most are, was spotty, but slowly I felt somewhat stronger.  At the end of the year, when the shops were aglow and bustling with gifts and life, when everybody seemed to be happy, I decided that I would like to gift myself, for making it this far.

I wouldn’t buy anything that I need, just whatever that would catch my eye and evoke some excitement. One day, I walked into a Japanese department store, and I saw those small, beautiful blue plates with delicate white flowers. I knew that was my gift.

When I got home, and took out the plates from the package, there was a certain emotion, perhaps of calmness, associated with that act.

After that year I didn’t really keep the gifting as a consistent tradition. Some years I would buy myself a gift at the end of the year, some years I didn’t.

Today, my mind wandered to that tradition. But I think this year I have no need of gifting myself.

That’s because this year I have had the opportunity to spend much more time with family and friends, sharing history and strengthening bonds. I also made several new friends, enjoying the ease with which we could talk for hours, and offering each other support in our endeavors and in our understanding of the world.

That is my gift that has been handed to me this year. Intangible, but probably one of the best.

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Home

Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.

– John Howard Payne

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Universal Language

Blessings = barakah (Arabic) = berkat (Malay)

= Gratitude (universal)

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A Cat’s Perspective

Two essentials in life: time for a nap on some sunny afternoon, and a friend
to lean on.

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