According to Wikipedia, a blog is a type of website, or part of a website, supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. I know, I know, I haven't been a good “blogger” (I am pretty good at Facebook though!). At least if you are of the opinion that "from time to time" means rather frequent. Anyways, several occurrences today (amongst which was reading my own blog, to be honest) inspired me to write again. Maybe it's that Christmas energy...

Before I continue, let me point out that I am not religious and that Christmas doesn't have a Christian meaning to me. (Although I have nothing against Christians in general, just to be clear.) However, I always feel a little differently during the time around the holidays. Or should I day Holy Days...? I guess because there is so much excitement in the air, whether it is from children believing that there is a person named Santa Claus living on the North Pole, people frantically shopping, or from the fact that a big part of the world just likes to do "good" around this time, culminating in a more tangible happy energy all around. Yes, that Christmas energy... 

Riding my bike on my way to teaching a yoga class earlier today, I had a near encounter (so to speak) with a pedestrian. It took me of guard, my first reaction being that it was his fault, and mumbled "oh oh" as I continued my way. I felt bad though, and realized too late that I should have apologized; regardless who was "wrong". I sent him a happy thought, hoping that his Soul would pick up the message. Am I getting too caught up by this Christmas energy?

During the gentle yoga class I taught this afternoon, I offered a heart opening practice. "Because of Christmas", I hear you think. Actually, the theme of the class was inspired by yesterday's Solstice. With the returning of the Sun, it seemed appropriate to welcome the light back. And what better way than to open your heart, receiving the light within so you can let your Light shine out. I guided movements to loosen up the shoulders (helping the chest and heart center to relax), forward bends with the head down (surrendering the ego to the heart), culminating into the heart opening Camel Pose. The iPod played Om Namo Bhagavate -"Thy will be done". While I was teaching the class, the practice felt as a holy service, peaceful and devout. Did actually something "happened" while the students let their hearts be opened, or was it that Christmas energy again?

After the class, one of the students thanked me for the practice "that left everybody speechless". Another remarked: "You make everything seem so real. Like you can really lift your heart up to the ceiling. The world is truly magical to you." I was flustered, as if she had discovered my "secret", and at the same time beyond pleased that, apparently, I can convey my view on the world to my students without specifically choosing words to do so. The fact that this comment came from an 81-year-old student made it even more meaningful. What a wonderful Christmas gift!

So maybe there is no such thing as "Christmas energy". Maybe “good” energy is intrinsically filled with Christ energy (referring to the spiritual meaning thereof). Maybe the way you perceive this time of year depends fully on how you look at the world, and the way you choose to think about it. No one else but you can make this a magical time; sharing your Light and being compassionate, not only to others but also to yourself. As Frank Sinatra put it so wisely: "Have yourself a merry little Christmas". (And yes, I just heard him sing that on Christmas radio.)

Happy Holy Days!

Namaste,

Marije