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Christmas Reflections



After Christmas
I like to take time to reflect
on the season


Because whether I like it or not
My Christmas's always become
a snapshot of my life season at the time.


This year I have the sumptuous luxury of time
to truly reflect.


Right off the bat
I know I am doing so much better this year
than the last two years
because
 I am actually writing about my reflections.

And boy am I grateful for  feeling 
so much better!




That being said
I still had a slow start to 
the Spirit of Christmas 
this year.




I kept feeling like I just couldn't get there
the first week back from our travels.
Until I realized

I was putting so much energy into trying to 
outrun my heart holes.

Holes like
missing my mother.
It's the second Christmas without her.
This year her departure felt so much more real.


Holes like
 committed to his estrangement 
from our family.


Even
 changing traditions of 
our family time together
seemed to cause a hole.




Once I realized the sources of my sadnesses
I felt more empowered
to 
Make An Emotional Plan!

By just taking the time to
realize the source
of my sad emotions

and

feel them
instead of trying to 
franticly outrun them

I could take a deep breath
and

Make an Emotional Plan.




I literally decided to give myself
two hours
two days in a row
to 
literally 
feel the feelings.


To acknowledge
that 
sometimes 
Life Hurts.


It can happen to everyone 
at one time or another.



The Holidays
can literally bring
those feelings 
front and center.


The feelings need to be acknowledged 
and 
understood
to take their power away.




So after my acknowledging times
I fully committed 
to 
refocus my 
intention.


To put all of 
my intention 
on 
the miraculous 
moments in my 
life.


I truly believe
we get more of
what we think of most.

We can choose
to grow our 
'emotional fortitude'
to focus 
on the good.


To Grow 
our Own Resilience.


With 
Focus on the 
big and small 
moments in life 
that create 
beauty 
depth
and 
meaning.




And in the intentional 

Refocus

I realized 
the Gift 
that my sadness could be
this year.




By taking time to acknowledge
my sadness  it actually 
Gave me Clearer Vision.

By 
acknowledging the pain
it opened up my heart
to see the beauty before me.

Instead of letting my dark emotions 
distort my life view 
I used them to
clarify 
and 
magnify
the 
beauty 
love 
and 
joy 
before me.




It reminded me
not to take anything
for granted.

Whether it be 
the Holidays
or 
Life


Each moment 
with 
family and friends
is important.


It reminded to 
to hold tight those I love.

To truly see them
and 
truly appreciate
those that 
Want 
to be in my life
and 
bless 
and 
send love to those who don't.




Instead of 
living in the missing

to remember those gone
with 
Love and Gratitude
for 
time spent together.


And in doing so

To truly Savor
Enjoy
and 
Love 
on those present today.





Family Traditions
that 
Change
can actually
make room 
for 
new 
and
Vibrant Traditions!




That being said
I am sharing some of my

magical Christmas moments.




Like this
 precious little girl!


I remember when I found out we were going to have 
a grandchild
I told myself
I wasn't going to turn into 
one of those drooling 
Grandparents
so taken 
with the child.

Well my friends
that didn't last long.

Being a grandparent
is 
Everything
they say it is.


It's like watching a miracle 
play out
before your own eyes!

The joy flows deep and full into 
your heart!




Seeing this young family

interact together
makes my heart 
swell 
with 
so much love and pride!




Our
 Christmas time together 
as a family
was 
everything I was hoping for!


Full of love
and 
exciting new family additions!


Besides darling Lenny,
my brother got a 
brand new puppy for Christmas!




Come Christmas Morning
It was presents and stockings with these three!


And speaking of 
New Traditions
we spent the morning playing 

It is a card game 
with the purpose of having 
"Less small talk
More genuine conversation"




Not only did we all learn more about 
each other
it was the perfect game
to set
 intentions
 for
the New Year!
Spending time with my adult children
and
realizing even more
how remarkable they are
was a precious gift in it's self!



I can honestly say
this new Christmas activity
was one of my very favorite parts of the season
and 
I will definitely be making insightful games like

into 
New Family Traditions!




Thank you for visiting here and 
Reading.


Taking the time to 
Reflect
and 
Write
and 
Share


has been so cathartic for me today.




It has been a year and a half
since 
I have written with an open heart.


I am not  completely sure why.


Sometimes I think after the really hard times
I might have been afraid
it I opened my heart
the pain would return.


But with that
I realize now

to be afraid of pain

one blocks the incoming joy 
as well.





I am realizing as I write today

Emotional Health
has the same 
needs and dedication
as 
physical health.



There needs to be 
A Plan

There needs to be daily workouts
and 
intentional goals.


There are no aha moments
that take the place of living an intentional life.
Each day needs intentional choice.


What you put in your 
heart and mind 
makes a difference
in the same way
bad food in your body does.



Sometimes we need to learn lessons
again and again.

I am 
grateful
for the opportunity




As always my friends

I wish you love and joy
as you style your life












10 comments:

  1. First of all I must tell you I am entranced by your photographs. They always get me first. Just beautiful. Not only the photos but also the settings you create. I am also impressed with your sensitivity and self awareness. You're right we first need to be aware of our feelings, then feel free to feel them so that we can grow and move on. As my children have grown I've been aware that I need to be sensitive accept change. It just is the way things are. It's wonderful for you to acknowledge that and grow. Happy Holidays.

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    Replies
    1. Sandra thank you ever so much darling, for your visit and sweet gift of encouraging words! Always quite the compliment, coming from your exceedingly talented and inspiring self! xox

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  2. Merry Christmas, dear Tamera. What gorgeous pictures you share, your artistry is boundless. The family gathered around the fire with a little baby girl is heartwarming. As always, your words are powerful and incredibly insightful, and I wish you so much happiness in your inward journey. We too have been dealing with unsettling family expectations over the festive season, and are very tired as a consequence. I have been reading your words over and over and trying to learn from you. Thank you so much. xxxx

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    Replies
    1. Patricia thank you so much for your visit here and gift of inspiring words. I am sorry to hear that you have also been dealing with 'unsettling family expectations', (I do appreciate your wonderfully crafted phrase). The holidays do seem to bring them out. I hope the situation resolves itself soon my dear! Sending you all the Best wishes for You and Yours, in the coming New Year! xox

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  3. Replies
    1. Why thank you ever so much Nancy! Thank you so much for reading!! xox

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  4. Thank you Tamera for sharing these beautiful & insightful pictures and words. They mean a lot. (and happy to see you all were playing Vertellis, too)! Our festivities this year were cut short by some of us coming down with stomach flu...not exactly the fun we had planned. oh well, it was fun up until then! Wishing you blessings of health & happiness in the coming year!

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    Replies
    1. Roxanne so lovely to see your visit here darling! Thank you for your encouraging words! Sorry to hear your festivities were cut short. Hopefully all are on the mend by now!

      I loved your beautiful images and message on your IG post today, regarding the Creative Process! I couldn't agree more! Sending you the Best Wishes for the coming New Year! xox

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  5. Tamara.... I've been reading your posts for about one and a half years, or so, and am so impressed with how honest you are with your writings. I would have to say you are a gutsy gal.... and I admire that so very much. You are an inspiration as what you have experienced in the past year or two, is heart wrenching.... something that some of your readers recognize and have experienced. Please know that your honesty through your writings has seen me through a very difficult time... and for that, I am grateful. I wish you love.

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    Replies
    1. Lark thank you so much for reading and your heartfelt comment darling! I so appreciate both!

      I am so sorry to hear you have been going through a very difficult time my dear, but I am encouraged to hear my writings have helped see you through ... that is why I decided to share. When it happens ... it's seems to easy to feel alone in the devastation. I hope your heart is on the mend. Sending you big hugs and much love dearest Lark.

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