The Season of Joy can mean so many things, it's hard to define. Phases of emotion corresponding to my age. The unsurpassed anticipation as a child, only to be outdone when it was my turn to be the giver to my children. Oh, how I wanted to make it magic, just like when I was a kid. But it's not about the gifts, is it? It's family and friends, caring and sharing, and most of all, it's about the feeling of Christmas in my heart - that is what I was really looking for.
In this reflective space of Advent, I need to focus beyond the headlines to prepare me for this most beautiful celebration. Oh, Advent, I do love thee, and when I begin to light the candles, a feeling a warmth, as a rekindling begins in my heart, my heart. The moment is true and my soul is lifted. I close my eyes and hear the voices of angels sing.
It is always the little things in life for me. The candles are just a small light in the darkness. When the darkness is especially intense, it seems like that small light shines so much brighter. Advent emphasizes to me those smaller moments of light. Those small moments in life. The important little details. It's true. It is always in the details, isn't it?
Such a small thing and yet, I can begin to feel new possibilities. Sometimes I need a reminder. It is so easy to overlook or forget. Life gets so busy, I sometimes let the small, important things get pushed to the wayside.
As always, there will be flowers, to glitter your world. #alwaysaflower
Beyond all the commercialism is the true gift and meaning of this season. Advent is the beginning of the journey. This is a season of love and giving. The greatest gift we can give is our love.
My best thoughts are to unwrap another day with a twist of holiday magic. Embrace all that is shiny and bright with the day and share it with others around you. Something incredible may just unfold before you. If it does, grab onto it with all your might and pull it towards you. I wish only good things for all of you.
Don't forget, I love you. Go forth and glitter.
And just like that, this post is over. Come back tomorrow and we'll do it again and again until we get it right or until the world is right, whichever comes first.
All I have are my words, armed in my mind, written in pen, stand by stand. Oh, yes. Still by hand. It has a different feel. Altered not by keys, backspace, and delete, I write, erase, tear it to pieces and start all over again. And again.
It’s my way. I walk out to the deep end of the page and dive right in.
How Do I Love Thee?
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Elizabeth Barret Browning
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Thank you for reposting @pixresteemer! Much appreciated!
I love the way you hone in on the beauty of an image and life for that matter.
I love how you leave me the kindest, most thoughtful words. They are a gift. Thank you. ❤️
Oh Dahling ... you inspire nothing else:)
Kiss. Kiss. ❤️
My brother and me started to regularly speak with each other. Probably I will spend the Christmas with him. By the way, he (or someone else) paid his mobile phone bills, and now he can call me on the phone.
I give you some !PIZZA and some !LUV.
I wish Merry Christmas to everyone.
Have a nice day and have a nice weekend.
All the best. Greetings from Hungary.
@xplosive(2/3) gave you
It sounds like you are very happy about it. I am glad for you, especially as it is something that has been bothering you for a long time. It will be nice to spend the day with him. Will you go there or will he come to your place?
Have a wonderful weekend! Are you spending time with him before the holiday? I know I will be in contact with you before, but in case we don't run into each other, I wish you a Merry Christmas!
Thank you for the Pizza and the LUV!
!LUV right back at you!
@dswigle(1/4) gave you
Yes. Looks like both of our (his and mine) situation is getting better. Very good to see this.
I will go there.
Probably. Maybe he will also visit me. I certainly keep the contact with him on Facebook and/or on phone.
I am sure that I will see at least some of your posts, but of course Merry Christmas! Both to you and to everyone else, who read this.
Have a nice day and have a nice weekend. All the best.
Greetings and much love from Hungary.
It sounds so awesome and can be a new beginning. A do over. Wipe the slate clean. I am truly happy for you. You sound happier than I have ever seen you. Perhaps you can get your brother to post on Hive?
That would be great, yes?
I invited him (@atis94) to the Steem blockchain on 2018.01.23, but he quickly (approximately after five months later) left the platform. He does not understand English, and there are still only a few Hungarians on the Hive blockchain.
Translations are easy nowadays, although, if I have to translate, a computer screen is better for me. I really like some of the Spanish blogs and don't understand a word of them. Most Americans understand some, but, my brain works for Italian, French, German, but, sadly not a word of Spanish!
PIZZA Holders sent $PIZZA tips in this post's comments:
@xplosive(1/9) tipped @dswigle (x1)
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Thanks for the pizza!
I love that. That should definitely be a slogan for something. Maybe just life in general. You should make t-shirts.
Hehehe! I do like that and I represent it too! :) Life should sparkle and glitter all the way! Yes?
T-shirts would be a great idea! I will have to remember that for next Christmas! Thank you!❤️
Have an amazing weekend! Glitter me gone!
As always such a sweet post and I have to say I do agree it’s often the small things that truly make us happy and blessed and often unless we slow down to think about it we do not even realize that and instead get distracted about the bigger things and forget to make time for the smaller things
It’s funny how your posts often make little life events from the past pop into mind
I remember when I was young at some church picnic I think it was one of the Sunday school leaders asking a group of us which would make us happier
A random warm smile from someone walking by
Or finding a five dollar note on the ground
Out of about 15 kids all but three went for the $5
And me and the other two who picked the smile thought initially were we weird I guess until the leader pulled us aside and simply said to us
Please hold onto your appreciation of the small things that make you happy as you go through life it will not only make you happier but better people
That is so cool! I am glad that my post brings you a piece of some memories/events in your lifetime. It is so funny what will remind us of these things, usually nothing to do with the event itself.
Our mind is certainly a mystery, isn't it?
And, your choice of things that you would prefer doesn't surprise me one bit. As it turns out, you grew up to be exactly that type of person, it was in you the whole time.
Thanks so much for always stopping by and leaving awesome comments.
Have a great weekend!
Your posts always bring things to mind which is awesome
I like to say I am not special I am what I am
You to have a good weekend
That just sounded like Popeye! :) I y'am what I y'am.
Hey! Did you get that tree up? I forgot to ask!!
Lol that’s what I was thinking off when I said it
Nope didn’t get the tree up was busy with other things with the grandkids
But for sure tomorrow
I agree with this message completely you know the movie A Christmas story some people love it some hate it because of how many times it is played throughout the holidays. For me, I love it I didn't know the meaning behind it till I grew up and watched it again.
Being a kid all we want is presents but as you grow older you realize it's about love and caring for one another. I can't tell you how much I have gone from wanting to receive gifts from my younger days to just being thankful I can enjoy an amazing dinner and be around the people that matter most to me. The snow, the smells and most importantly the love you share with one another are unrivalled by anything else.
!LUV
@drabs587(1/1) gave you
Thanks for the LUV!
Bingo! It is exactly that and I wish parents could convey to their children how important those values are. I don't think I know a lot of young people that take those things into consideration. We live in a very me! me! me! society. Instant gratification, glued to the social media type of world.
I love social media, but, have a limited time on it due to life - and I am okay with that. The people that matter the most to me are not on social media and the love I have for them and spending time with them is unparalleled by all else.
I am so glad that you are able to do that and your Christmas, despite no tree or decorating - is perfect. It's not the baubles or presents, but, the love that is shared instead. That is what counts.
Thank you for your awesome comment! Have a great weekend! Thanks for the LUV!
I have a good feeling that this Christmas would be amazing. So much love around can be felt specially here. Indeed love is the greatest gift and overcomes all.
Love makes the world go round. There is no doubt about it! Thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful words, Ryan.
This Christmas will be amazing for you and your family, something I am so happy about. The gift of love has been yours for the taking. 💙
T
When we grow up and find ourselves at an almost mature age, we realize that Christmas is not only about giving and receiving, yes, but on a sentimental level. It is a time to enjoy with the family, to renew old friendships and also to have a good time even with the neighbors. Each scenario is different, but basically we should reflect those good vibes.
Yes! We all have our own way, but, basically, it is all about love. Love thy neighbor, love thy brother... Family and friends.
There is nothing quite like the Season of Joy. For sure!
Only 20 days are comming ❤️ Loved this article!
You present so beautiful with lovely photographs.
God bless you dear friend @dswigle
Thank you. You are such a kind and thoughtful person. I hope you are getting ready for Christmas and enjoying the days leading up to it.
May the blessings be yours @ykdesign
You make it sound all so beautiful and special as it should be caring and sharing are the most important things in life not material things.
We are human and material things make us happy, but, they won't fill that empty space inside that family and love does.
I am happy that you have both available to you! What a life!!!
I agree material things are unavoidable we do all love them but keeping them to a moderation is the challenge of not getting to greedy within ourselves. I have seen poverty here over the covid period and still now nearly everyday I will give a small amount of money to the people on the streets that are really in need for a bowl of soup 😊
That is awesome. The overt poverty in some countries is staggering, especially women with children. It happens in my own country. Can you imagine growing up that way?
I cannot. For the life of me, I cannot. Hey, you! I hope you had a great weekend!
It really does sadden me I just do what I can it would be horrible living that way no where to shower and not knowing when your next meal is going to be.
The thought horrifies me, and yet, having volunteered at a public and private homeless shelter, I can tell you that they come from all walks of life, including yours and mine. Most people don't plan on being homeless, but, especially the downturns in the economy, depression, drug/alcohol abuse, divorce, and loss of income will drive you home to it. It is amazing how life's circumstances just show up when you are paying attention.
It really is horrifying and cause of this pandemic I have been seeing so much more poverty here in Thailand but what has surprised me I expected the crime rate to escalate but no people have come together helping each other in these bad times makes me feel proud to be living here because it's even changed me for the better to see how people have come together here.
Thanks so much for the upvote @thoughtfulposts
This makes me remember memories of past about how we used to write with pencils and erasers. That was a different struggle and a different joy that we could never find on typing with computers and smartphones. The phones may be smart enough to replace pen and papers but not the feelings attached to it!!
I agree! I still write by hand, especially when I am writing for posting. :) We use so little of that skill nowadays!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your words!
Sometimes just one candle is enough to light the night.
It's true what you say about anticipation of being the giver. I remember also always being bursting with excitement to receive gifts, but now I get such a big kick out of making the "little ones" happy. Such a good time.
It truly is and they light one at a time, so one is lit now.
I love being the one who brings in the joy! It is always so wonderful.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope your weekend is going well - and it's fun!
Yes yes the kids. When you are as old as I am, you quickly realize that the kiddos (at least mine) have had their turn, now it is finally time for the OldGuy to get a little something.
You see as it is written (by Kenny):
'Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand
You can't flip it over and start again"
So in all the fun that you do for everyone else, dont forget to spare a little magic for Denise too. 😊
You had your turn! Remember once you were their age and I can guarantee those kiddos (yours at least) will have an amazing Christmas! 🎄
Ole Kenny is always killing me off or breaking up with me, or something heartbreaking. Thanks, Kenny!
You of all people know that I take 3 or 4 weeks off several times a year to find my sun and fun, mani-pedi when I want pretty nails and massage because, why not? Denise discovered that I could make magic and give magic. 😁
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Your energy for the Christmas 🎅 is awesome 🌟 I love the decorations and I can see you have done a lot for the Christmas 🎅 already @dswigle
You know I always love reading your words dear @dswigle but this time it was so much more magical!
The words brought this calming home feeling loving christmas vibes to my heart. Thank you :-)
Edit: oh the post is 6 days old! Strange that I didnt see it earlier! Maybe today was the right day to read it :-)
Ah I see... I was searching for the word "Advent" that's why I found it now