I can’t tell you how many posts I’ve started and either deleted them or they’re hanging out on my desktop gathering cyber dust. Perhaps it’s the holiday season that has me writing again. Or the sheer gratitude of being alive and healthy. Or the weather. I do love me some crisp, cool weather! I may even get to drag out my “winter” coat.
The sun is shining and it’s 60 degrees. I. LOVE. IT.
Where I am, coolness doesn’t come until November and when it does, it energizes me. Fires burning. Movies. Good food and wine. Pillows and warm blankets piled up on the bed. Thinking about the past year and looking forward to what’s up ahead.
I vote for a vegan holiday. Who’s with me?
Holiday Spirit
I don’t know about you, but there’ve been years where I wasn’t into the whole holiday thing. Whether it was from loss, my psyche struggling with something or being in a place that didn’t feel right—literally and metaphorically—but, this year feels right.
Psyche and Armor (Psyche is on the left). This story comes from Metamorphoses (also called Golden Ass, YES really). About overcoming obstacles to the love between the two. Seriously, I found this on Wikipedia while googling “psyche.”
How about you? Are you in the spirit?
This past weekend, we pulled out all those Christmas decorations. A fire was going and A Christmas Story was on the television. That movie reminds me so much of my Daddy, so I was teary-eyed at some point when I felt his presence and then happy. It’s that happy, nostalgic human experience thing that songwriters, writers and artists try to convey and capture in words and colors.
When they do, you feel it and the weight of that feeling is immense. It affects your heart and soul, maybe even quickens the breath. It’s magic. It feels good and sad at the same time, which is pretty damn beautiful, isn’t it? It’s letting go and moving on…if you think about it, many things in our lives are like that.
A constant juxtaposition. Yin and yang. Here and there.
I’m getting deep and I hope you’re getting this as it’s unfolding in my head and I’m tapping it out. Sending it out to the world, trusting that this piece of my heart art reaches whomever it should.
I’m coming to the realization that most of what happens in life — there’s a reason for it. There’s a symphony to life—an orchestrated tapestry that we can’t always grasp. Every once in awhile, you tap into it though, and feel it—the eternal thrum of it. Like the beating of a heart.
Lighten Up Francis (and Brigitte) and Everyone Else Please
My wish for you during this holiday season is to remember that we are all in this together. Maybe we all need to take a deep breath and remember that, especially now. I’m so grateful for who I am, the people in my life and the life I’m living. Even if I’m at odds with someone, I’m still grateful because they are humans too having their own human experience. Our souls and hearts are meant to love one another and I sincerely believe, despite how dire things may seem, they are not dire. There’s more good than bad. There’s more love than hate.
That’s what my heart is telling me and I’m going to trust that and go with it.
We have an opportunity every single day to go with the positive instead of the negative and it’s really difficult to do sometimes, I know. To leave behind what happened yesterday and look forward with a sparkling spirit, bright eyes and grateful hearts. And to just say THANK YOU.
Thank you for reading and I hope you and yours had a beautiful Thanksgiving. I hope the holiday spirit is affecting you in a good, peaceful, wonderful way.
(P.S. I will send out holiday magic dust (via my soul to yours) if anyone can tell me where that phrase, “Lighten Up Francis” comes from.) Or, just leave a comment about how you are or aren’t in the holiday spirit. Or, your favorite holiday movie, book or food or wine, or you get the gist. Make it holiday-ish and nice. Please be descriptive, poetic, dig deep, c’mon.
Okay, you get magic dust. And you do…and you do…
Here’s a song that doesn’t have anything to do with the holiday season, but it’s so pretty, from the movie, Practical Magic. Hang some beads in the doorway, light some incense and listen. Butterflies and bluebirds may very well flit to the sound of it coming out of your speakers.
THANKS.
Brigitte's Banter 
Multiple cheers from here – you posted AND you are in the holiday spirit. Good for you on both counts. Actually have a bit of flurries at the moment (no, I don’t like that – but it is what it is). Oh – good song. : ) Keep smiling!
Posted by aFrankAngle | November 26, 2018, 5:15 pmHey Frank – thank you as I can always count on your nice comments and taking the time to stop by. Flurries? Sounds very holiday like! I need to get better at visiting other blogs AND posting. My intentions are to do just that. As with anything, the more you “practice” or make something a practice, the more it becomes a part of a routine and really, a part of who you are. Great to see you and Happy Holidays to you and yours. 🤗🍾
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Posted by Brigitte | November 26, 2018, 5:50 pmFortunately, just flurries leading to a light coating. Road surfaces are still warm enough to inhibit accumulation.
Here’s something for you to consider about blogging. In order to get back into the swing, I’ve noticed that it is easy if one concentrates on visiting (instead of writing) – and that will drive one to return to writing when they are ready. The opposite way seems to be more of an uphill battle. Just a thought.
Posted by aFrankAngle | November 26, 2018, 9:16 pmI am finding it hard to find the Christmas spirit this year, I am struggling with depression at the moment
Posted by joannerambling | November 26, 2018, 6:00 pmI’m so sorry about that Joanne. I hope you find some peace and goodness. Holidays can be difficult at times. I wish you much joy and a wonderful 2019. Be well and take good care.
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Posted by Brigitte | November 26, 2018, 6:57 pmI think ‘Lighten up Francis’ is from the movie Stripes. I’m not sure if that’s where you heard it but that’s what I thought of. Enjoy your holiday spirit!
Posted by sherriepalmer | November 26, 2018, 10:19 pmHi Sherrie! You are right about that. Thank you for playing along. :). I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday as well.
Posted by Brigitte | November 27, 2018, 4:22 pmGood morning, Brigitte! For me the holidays are a time of reflection, but also an ongoing process that allows me to either embrace or let go of the old family traditions. Sometimes, I like to decorate and make the favorite foods from my family and childhood. Sometimes, I like to do something entirely different. This year is an entirely different kind of year! Peter and I are going to a beautiful place out here in the west to hike and do photography! Not even putting up a Christmas tree, which feels freeing somehow. That’s not to say that we won’t stay home and do the traditional thing next year, but this year, a change in scenery seems in order.
My favorite holiday move is “Scrooged.” We have it on DVD and I watch it every year sometime during the season and every year I cry at the end of the movie! LOVE. IT.!
So nice to see your post this week, my friend!
Hugs,
Cathy
Posted by Cathy Ulrich | November 27, 2018, 9:15 amHi Cathy!
That sounds like a wonderful holiday. I know what you mean though…we’ve gone a year without a traditional tree…it’s just all about how you feel, isn’t it? I LOVE Scrooged too! We also watch that one. I love the fairy ghost in the pink dress (ghost of Christmas past?)—she is HI-LARIOUS. I can quote a lot from that movie and I cry — a good cry — with that movie too. Bill Murray is so talented.
So nice to hear from you, Cathy. I know you’ll take some gorgeous photos and I hope you share them. Have a wonderful trip.
Hugs back, Brigitte
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Posted by Brigitte | November 27, 2018, 10:55 amGolden Ass? Really?
Stripes (1981) great movie–great laughs :
Psycho: The name’s Francis Soyer, but everybody calls me Psycho. Any of you guys call me Francis, and I’ll kill you.
Leon: Ooooooh.
Psycho: You just made the list, buddy. And I don’t like nobody touching my stuff. So just keep your meat-hooks off. If I catch any of you guys in my stuff, I’ll kill you. Also, I don’t like nobody touching me. Now, any of you homos touch me, and I’ll kill you.
Sergeant Hulka: Lighten up, Francis.
I listened to the music as I researched that– great song and I love the photo. I am glad you posted– always a good feeling to come here and read your positivie ju jus. I am looking forward to the next month being peaceful and quiet, a slower pace than November.
THANK YOU for being you 🙂
Audra
Posted by UpChuckingwords | November 27, 2018, 11:16 amYou have some major magic dust coming your way. Not only did you answer, but you provided more than I even knew—you are a poet and a scholar. And a friend. I try to stay positive — it works most of the time. :). I bet you ARE looking forward to a slower pace. You deserve every good thing that life has in store for you because you are a fabulous human being. Thank you for the kind words, my friend and Thank you back for the very same thing.
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Posted by Brigitte | November 27, 2018, 11:36 amYou had me at your opening sentence. Basically the story of my life these days when it comes to blogging. I got THIS close to finishing a post during Thanksgiving weekend, but again, something in me just couldn’t get it out. Sigh. In any case, always glad to see you in my inbox. Positivity and gratitude is so easy to lose sight of, especially in the state of the world these days. But like you said, we’re all in this together and when we choose to be positive despite everything, I think that’s when breakthroughs happen. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season in this remaining month with your family, friends, and loved ones!
Posted by lillianccc | December 1, 2018, 7:14 pmIsn’t that weird?? I can’t tell you how many I’ve started and then abandoned, deleted, waited, etc. I go back and forth whether to abandon or not. It doesn’t “feel” as it once did or maybe it’s just me not continuing the practice. It’s really easy to lose sight of positivity and gratitude but something I think we must strive to do! Have you read the book E-Squared? I’ve heard good things about it and haven’t read it. I think the more “good” we take in, the more good we can give. I tire of negativity and simply don’t believe it has to be that way. I always look forward to your posts as well, Lillian and hope to see one from you soon. I hope that you and your loved ones have a very wonderful holiday season as well. Here’s to 2019!!! It’s going to be a good year, isn’t it? :).
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Posted by Brigitte | December 2, 2018, 10:34 amYes!! Something about blogging now no longer feels the same, exactly like you said. I’m not sure if it’s a lack of practice thing, a motivation thing, or simply a growing up thing (if that even makes sense). But I’d venture to say that we’re probably not the same writers as we were when we first started, nor are we the same people. So perhaps that’s why it feels different? Thanks for the book recommendation, I will definitely check it out. And since we’re talking of books, I’d also recommend Michelle Obama’s Becoming, which came out recently. I’m about halfway through and really enjoying it. Whatever you think about her or her husband’s politics, this is not a political book but a book about a strong woman trying to figure life out just like the rest of us. 🙂
Posted by lillianccc | December 2, 2018, 1:21 pmThat could very well be, as we change and change changes us (ha!), that could be the reason. I feel as if the climate is different as well and so is attention span, which I am sad about. I tend to get wordy. Thank you for the recommendation, Lillian—I’ve heard very good things about that book and love a book that encourages empowerment. I think we’re all exhausted from politics. Be well, Lillian and I really do hope to see a post from you—you are a gifted and insightful wordsmith.
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Posted by Brigitte | December 3, 2018, 6:13 pmI love you and I love your insightful musings. I fell that way at times thinking of my father as well. I also love a nip in the air. It feels so envigorating.
By the way, “lighten up Francis” come from the movie STRIPES. Sergeant Hulka said after “psycho” said “you touch my stuff, I’ll kill ya. Any a you homos touch my stuff, and I’ll kill ya”, and just before Bill Murray’s character called him the platoon’s big toe.
Posted by Jeff | December 2, 2018, 8:39 amI love you too my honey baby. I know you understand my musings…we are one and the same about things, aren’t we? And, of course you know Lighten up Francis. That’s the fact, Jack. 🥰
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Posted by Brigitte | December 2, 2018, 10:36 am