Spiritual: November 27, 2019 Issue [#9889]
<< November 20, 2019Spiritual Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueDecember 4, 2019 >>




 This week: It's the Season to Be Jolly...
  Edited by: NaNoKit Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

The holidays are coming. It's time to be merry. But what if you aren't?

This week's Spiritual Newsletter is all about the different ways people experience the holidays.

NaNoKit Author Icon


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B083RZ2C5F
Product Type:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available.


Letter from the editor

St. Nicholas has arrived in the Netherlands. In the US, people are thinking of all the things they are thankful for. It's the season to be jolly... but what if you are not? You risk being called Scrooge, or the Grinch. It's almost as if society is willing you to be happy, but if we could feel happy on command, well, that'd be a bit creepy... And we can't.

The pressure to plaster a fake smile on your face can be a significant one. Even outside of the holiday season, some people will call you out if you look anything other than happy and smiley. I remember when I was asked to pick up a few final things before the funeral of a good friend of mine. When I went into town, then, I was not feeling cheerful. A man I'd never met before called out, “Smile, love, it might never happen!” The implication was that there's probably no reason for feeling miserable, completely ignoring the realities of what might be going on in someone's life. During the holiday season the pressure to smile tends to increase and that, too, ignores the many things that people might be going through.

Each holiday season brings with it the memories of previous holiday seasons and, therefore, those memories that include people we have loved and lost, causing us to miss them even more than usual. I remember my gran and I attending the Christmas Eve service at the Salvation Army, and listening to her sing in the choir. I remember St. Nicholas Eve celebrations with my gran, and my great-aunt and great-uncle, all of us sitting in a circle, sharing food, and stories, presents and poetry. Nowadays I live in a different country to my family, so I tend to miss everyone who's still with us as well. But I am fortunate in that I do have family, and we always contact the other, and I do have people to celebrate with here. Some people have lost everyone dear to them, and have nobody to celebrate with, and whilst not everybody's bothered by that, others may feel that they have little to nothing to smile about.

There are people who are in a lot of pain, day in, day out. There are people who are suffering from terrible illnesses. There are those nearing the end of their life. There are also people living in abusive circumstances, with no means of escape. People who are working several jobs in order to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, wondering how they can possibly afford a merry Christmas for their kids. There are people who live on the streets. There are so many different circumstances people can find themselves in that are not happy, or merry, or jolly. They are not a Scrooge, nor a Grinch if they do not feel festive.

That doesn't mean that you cannot or should not enjoy your festive mood. I love the holiday season. Some years I enjoy it more than others, depending on what is going on in my life, but generally speaking I like that many people do seem happier, and that there's a spirit of goodwill, and that people feel freer to have some fun, wearing elf hats or antlers or what not. During the dark time of the year it is good to have a celebration and I welcome the lights, and signs that humanity is not completely corrupted, not completely without hope. Just, cheer cannot be forced and, therefore, cannot and should not be expected.

People aren't a Scrooge or a Grinch either if they actually enjoy some peace and quiet. I have had years where the thought of a big gathering of friends and family filled me with dread, because I'd had a very busy time of it and all I wanted to do was sleep and relax and to not have to worry about anything. I know that I am far from alone in that.

The holidays, then, are a time of mixed emotions and of mixed hopes and dreams. There is no right way or wrong way to approach them and experience them. Whatever you end up doing, I wish you well. *Heartv*

NaNoKit Author Icon



Editor's Picks

Some contests and events to inspire you:

FORUM
The Lighthouse Poetry Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Contests With A Christian Theme
#1742964 by LMs❤️BrewinMagic Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
Share Your Faith Open in new Window. (13+)
Are you spiritual? Religious? Or not at all? Can you incorporate this into your writing?
#2204562 by NaNoKit Author IconMail Icon


 
FORUM
St. Nicholas Surprise Party Open in new Window. (13+)
Surprise your friends - receive a treat!
#2205628 by NaNoKit Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
The Dialogue 500 Open in new Window. (18+)
Dialogues of 500 words or less.
#941862 by W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
HONORING OUR VETERANS  Open in new Window. (ASR)
Of course there's a Veterans Day - EVERY DAY!
#423698 by Monty Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
The Bard's Hall Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
NOVEMBER: Comedy... Thanksgiving with the Family
#981150 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1873271 by Not Available.

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!



Ask & Answer

The Spiritual Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! *Smile*

Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,

The Spiritual Newsletter Team


*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: 0997970618
Amazon's Price: $ 14.99

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


<< November 20, 2019Spiritual Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueDecember 4, 2019 >>

This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright.