The Spirit of the Season

I am just now getting into the “spirit of the season” – whatever that means. I suppose it means different things for everyone. But for me, it’s about being a bigger person – more generous, compassionate, loving, and playful – than I feel I’ve been until now. The hope, I believe, is that I will stretch myself to eventually fit into that bigger self.
So each year, when the holiday season is upon us we can choose to be a Scrooge and stay small or to become like the Santa in Miracle on 34th Street (my all time favorite Christmas story!) Then, realizing how much better it feels to be kind and expansive we adopt a bit more of the new, improved person and carry it into the next year. As that becomes ‘old hat’ we are ready, once again for another upgrade. I wonder if it works that way. I hope so.
The “spirit of the season” has become a trite phrase, losing it’s potency along the way. But I think perhaps it’s an antidote for what we often seem to dislike about this time of year. When we are in touch with the spirit, we are not focused on the material, the commercial or the hectic. We know a truth that supersedes anything that goes on around us, we are impervious. And, what better time to become a brighter being than when the light is returning to the world?! How lovely!