When I was a kid, more than any particular present, I wanted: the Christmas tree up with the usual ornaments, the crèche all arranged, the stockings hung and bulging the next day, the Messiah, Odetta and Pete Seeger, and cookies for Santa (nibbled by morning next to a witty note we all knew mom had written). And snow, for good measure.
When I look back on it, I wanted all the reassurance that comes from warm family traditions, year after year. From an NLP and Family Constellations point of view, what I wanted was secure belonging, peace and safety, and in an alcoholic family that might explode in fights and chaos at any time, these were the best Christmas presents I could ever ask for and receive.
Our brains and our souls are on the same side in this instance—give us peace and reassurance and a kind sense of belonging. Give this to everyone, every creature on the planet.
Yes, throw in the occasional challenge, the place of discomfort that forces needed growth, surprises we cannot prepare for and therefore deepen our resourcefulness. We know we need these, too. But for those instances to be encouraging rather than demoralizing, we need the other, a sense that, ultimately, we are safe and well and up to the remarkable task of living.
May this season give you all the cues that let you know that you are, indeed, safe and well and up to the remarkable task of living. I look forward to renewing this reassurance in 2013 with many of you. And I thank every last one of you, for your support, for reading my various missives, and for showing up.
Many, many blessings of Life for you this year.
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