This time of year, with all the holiday celebrations, I am amazed at all the creativity and traditions that surround me. No matter what time of day it’s everywhere I go. The stores are filled with colorful creations hanging from the ceilings, sitting on shelves, and plastered to windows. I think of how creative we human beings really are. Everything I see that has been created into a three dimensional form must be a thought first. Then with perseverance and a willingness to work at it till that desired thought is produced, viola! It takes form for everyone to enjoy.

All five senses can be affected by the genius within us. We see the glitter, the colors, the ribbons and bows, all the marvelous toys, sparkling jewelry, and fabulous clothes. We hear the holiday music created from our musical instruments and begin to sway and chime right in, at times memories flooding our consciousness. And think of the mouth watering foods we all enjoy at this time of year. The traditional cook book pulled from the shelf and opened to that favorite recipe. Don’t you wonder who created some of these foods and drinks we all love to taste? And the smells! Oranges, cinnamon, onion, sage, warm chocolate chip cookies, and lemon pie. Why some of these smells cause a sensation of taste before we even place the food in our mouths. What about all the scented holiday candles created to invade our nares? Plus, we cannot forget the sensation of touch, as we are blessed with a body that comes equipped with nerves located from the tops of our heads to the tips of our toes. The hand reaching for that cozy, fuzzy blanket, or that soft, warm sweater. Our fingers tracing the outline of that special gift created just for us. And who began the mistletoe tradition? Created the idea to stand under this leafy piece of greenery with white berries, gifting one with a quivery, pleasant anticipation of a soft kiss from someone placing their lips upon our sensitive lips?

What a truly wonderful time of year it can be for us. Everyday we create our own kind of day. But it seems especially obvious to me at this time of year. We are the glitter. We are the beauty. We are the music and the memory. We are the soft kiss. We are the true celebration!

c   Love, Joan