By about this time in December – the Sagittarian time of excess in all we do (shopping, spending, socializing, busy-ing ~ more, more, more!) I begin to long for the Capricornian austerities of January. As I buy one more thing, eat one more outrageous food, prepare for one more social event, I am glad for the cyclical nature of life, knowing that it will soon enough be balanced by more simplicity.
I used to think that it would be nice if things were more spread out – if the bright lights of December were dimmed just a bit so that January wouldn’t be so cold and dark. However, it seems that there is something that draws us inexorably towards these extremes.
I’m seeing it now as I revel in unemployment after a very long stretch of working with hardly any time off. It’s odd this world of being an IT contractor and the oddness is just this same cyclical nature of things – lots of money followed by none, no time off followed by an ocean of it.
And just as I begin to long for January before Christmas has even arrived, so too there comes a time in my longed-for time off when I’m eager to get back to work. I’m not there yet this time around (this being the start of week two of the longed-for time off) but I’m quite aware that it will come and so I don’t try to grasp these precious days of indolence, rather just to enjoy them.
What I know is this: I can trust the process. I can “be here now” as Ram Dass instructed. Ecclesiastes had this right – “to every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
Be with the busy-ness, the surfeit, the calories, the credit cards. But more importantly – be with the people you love, the fellowship, the connection, the magic and the wonder. It’s a moment in time – savor it all.
Thank you for this. It’s too easy to always be looking ahead to something better. Every moment deserves attention and appreciation. Good reminders, especially at this time of year when we’re just driven to do more, be more, buy more. Thanks!
Ya, I feel guilty as I sit around tonight and look at Facebook, play a little solitaire – no rushning out buying stuff! Thanks, as always for stopping in, Eleanor! Love your beaautiful blog! Happy holidays to you!