Spoils of the Holidays

It's at this time of year that we all start hearing and seeing the commercials, the unmistakeable music and all the ads about the pending holidays. We are bombarded with purchase reminders, how many days it is to a particular holiday and those special items NO ONE can be without. But as I sit back and take all this commercialism and sends most into debt to demonstate that they LOVE the gift recipient, I wonder about the Spoils of the Holidays and faith??

What does Spoils of the Holidays mean? I am talkng about knowing that you are loved unconditionally. Faith that you are where you need to be on your journey in life. Faith that everything happens for a reason and Faith that you will get through this holiday season without the need to place pressure upon yourself to go so overboard because of what you see commercially that you spend the coming year digging out of the debt you aquired just to "show someone you cared and loved them!"

I can hear my grandmother Bridget right now saying "its not about the gift, its about being together and embracing what the holiday is all about." My grandmother was never about gifts that were purchased at a store. Matter of fact, she enjoyed going to Consignment stores, the Salvation Army Store or Good Will to pick through all the wonderful items that others discarded for the brand new and shiny items or articles of clothing that they received at their holiday gift giving. Just thinking about her going shopping at these stores still can bring a smile to my face as I hear her comments about all of the waste, but wonderful things she could now get.

I am becoming more of a minimalist as I approach 60 years on my human journey. I have had three large homes which I have moved from and each time downsizing and purging items that I no longer really needed or missed because they were in a box for so long that I moved that box to each new place not really knowing what I was moving or why. I am sure many can relate to doing this. I have since after moving to my current location, a lovely 2 bedroom apartment, begun purging all that isn't used or necessary. I too have taken these items to Consignment or the Salvation Army locations to perhaps offer them to someone who may need or enjoy the item or clothes.

So I ask this question and have been asked this question - "what do you want for the holidays? I am finding that my answer is getting simpler and there is NO list of items that I need! I don't really NEED anything. I don't need the purchased spoils of the holidays. What I do "need" is a roof over my head, food on the table and wonderful people to share it with. I "need" laughter, joy, happiness and just good company from those I care for most. I don't "need" any appliances, clothing, gift cards cause you didn't know what to get me or anything that was purchased because you felt the need to ensure I had something to open. Truly, those are the spoils of the holidays that no one needs. I also don't want you to be racking your brain about how you can top what you may have given me last year! Or for me to do the same. This time of year doesn't need to bring stress or grief.

The true Spoils of the Holidays should be the memories that are made and shared for being with the people who fill our hearts. The Spoils of the Holidays should be filled with the joy that comes from just spending time with one another and the wonderful feast that is created for each to enjoy no matter how humble that feast may be! The true Spoils of the Holidays shouldn't have us making returns on what we should be keeping and embracing - the memories, the joy and the focus of what the holidays are all about; family - however you define yours. I have faith that as I grow older and hopefully wiser that I will be able to enjoy the Spoils of the Holidays simply and mindfully without going overboard with the commercial, but with Love, joy and memories of just being together with those who fill my heart.