Teenagers kinda rock. Thank you Christmas

Years and years ago a dear friend told me to watch for Christmas.

I finally got it!

 Christmas happens in moments.

Christmas is never about the presents or the giving.

Christmas is about the receiving.

God gives!

Today in the midst of an angry teenager vs mom showdown I got Christmas.

That angry teen helped someone with no applause. He shovelled a neighbors driveway .

Feeling proud.

Single mommahood is only for the brave.

Blessed God made me brave.

Single Mom Thriving:Your Feelings Don't Define You.

The  'experts' of the interwebs claim single moms are consumed with sadness and loneliness during the holidays.

Please don't believe them.  Don't make the media's expectation your reality.

Yes!  Strong feelings come up this time of year for everyone.

They are only feelings. All feelings come and go. We just need to sit with the feeling without judging it. Then  it will pass in less than 2 minutes.

When we deny it, fight it, or judge it, the feeling stays.

Last week it hit me that my daughter in college would only be home for 12 days during her winter break. This is also a year my children spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with their dad.  A big whirl of sadness landed inside of me.

Immediately I berated myself with nasty self talk,

       "She is doing really amazingly cool things in between semesters. You should be happy for her."
        "You have been splitting Chistmases with their dad since forever. Get over it."
        "It is Christmas time. Be joyful."

The whirl of sadness didn't go away. It got worse. I started feeling victimized,sorry for myself , cranky and irritable.

Luckily I was able to pull myself back. I stopped and let the feeling of sadness be there.

I miss my daughter.

I didn't judge myself or stuff down the sad and the missing because I was "supposed' to be happy. I simply felt it.

 And just like that it floated on by.

A few moments of sadness does NOT mean I am a single mom consumed with sadness.

A few moments of sadness means I am a human.

The same goes with feeling lonely. Everyone on the planet feels lonely sometimes.

Loneliness has nothing to do with being a single mom.

Loneliness is a result of you not knowing you.

Robert Holden often says that if something is missing in your life it is probably you.

When I feel lonely I simply ask myself what I need.

The answer is usually time with myself.

Sometimes after time with myself it means reaching out to a friend. Sometimes time with myself is all it takes to make the loneliness float by.

Sadness and loneliness are not single mom attributes.

Sadness and loneliness just may be a part of the Christmas experience.

When we feel whatever comes up, Love comes come back.

Single moms rock!

Blessings,

Virginia

Monday's Course in Miracles

My favorite part of Christmas is the lights. As the days get shorter and darkness creeps in mid afternoon plugging in the Christmas tree and the outside decorations brings light to me. Those twinkles are nothing short of magic as they lighten my soul and bring me closer to my own light within.


Turn towards the light, for the little spark in you is part of a light so great that it can sweep you out of all darkness forever.  ACIM

Grateful for the many gifts

   It is already December 4th and  I have yet to buy one present. That is so unlike me. Usually by this time my closets are brimming over with presents and the UPS truck is making frequent deliveries.

I am no Scrooge and  I am not suffering from the Holiday blues. Rather I am basking in the many gifts I already have and am receiving and giving in each moment.

I would prefer to spend my evenings sitting by the tree with my children talking and laughing as opposed to hitting any store. I am relishing in my early mornings sipping my coffee in the quiet by the lit up Christma tree. That certainly trumps online shopping.

I am astounded by the gifts that come to me just by noticing them. They are all priceless and cannot fit into a box. So before I shop for any presents I am going to bask in the gifts of being present.

Joy to You,
Virginia
I would be honored to guide you along your journey back to the Present of YOU. Contact me @virginiamccormack05@gmail.com