Wellness In-Sight: Peace and Joy to You and Yours! Cindy E. Farrar, E. Farrar HereCindy we are, in the homestretch of our road trip through 2021. I cannot think of a more fitting way to close it out than with “the most wonderful time of the year.” After all, “It’s the hap-happiest season of all.” It is also the season of giving, season of joy and season of hope. I have always been confounded that we attribute such strong sentiments espoused this time of year in terms limited to that of only a season. It seems a greater purpose of expression of feelings and behavior with such significance would be at least year-round if not a perpetual state of being. I do understand and respect the theological references for this time of year. I also believe the same theology exhorts us to hold fast to these as daily manifestations of our faith. It should be of no surprise to me that the refrain of “peace” is continuously swirling in my mind. The word will soon be displayed on highly decorated houses and lawns, boldly printed across the front of holiday cards, and sung in songs streaming through our devices and played over the airwaves. It is a simple word that can mean so much more than the absence of war. Peace is also a prevailing calm, a sense of serenity, stillness and a state of harmony. Along with the spirit of giving, joy and hope, this season can be loaded with other strong emotions. Keeping our personal peace (and it is personal) may be a challenge. To begin with determining what evokes peace for us individually is important. It could be taking a walk, reading, writing, music, nature, etc. Start simply without expectation or judgement. Maybe just take a few mindful breaths. One of the ways to peace for me has been sitting quietly under my wonderful grand tree, Beauty. Her fallen leaves provide lovely copper carpet beneath my feet, while her remaining attached leaves rustling in the breeze provide a calming soundtrack. I watch as a leaf lets go and gently rides the air current down to become part of the carpet, taking with it any of my remaining inner unsettledness. As I become inspired to stand and do tai chi, all else momentarily fades away. Another source of peace and joy has always been our family tradition of driving around looking at the Christmas light displays. The chill in the air, holiday music playing on the car radio, and the night sky illuminated by the bright holiday lights suspends any stress. I look forward to getting out there once again, starting at the festive “A Whole LOT of Christmas” light display in Smoke Rise, where the homeowners also collect donations for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Though the experience will feel different this year. In my December column last year, I shared a nostalgic walk through my childhood Christmas memories. It became a long overdue, albeit unintentional, homage to my mom, her love of the holidays, her way of making them special and her generous hospitality. I did not know last Christmas would be the last one she would be with us. As I sit to write this, my family prepares for our first Thanksgiving and Christmas season without my mom. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to give her a small amount of appreciation for her major role in mine and our family’s snow globe-like winter holiday joy each year. This year and those to follow will be different with my mom’s absence. I know my family is not alone in this experience. Finding peace will take on new meaning and significance. From my family to yours, our hope is that the peace found this season will be with you throughout the coming year.
Our Town DeKalb
Cindy E. Farrar, LMT, BCTMB, CLC is a licensed massage therapist, certified life coach and the owner of Massage Associates of Atlanta, LLC (Lavista Road in Tucker). In addition, she is a certified Qi Gong instructor and a nationally approved continuing education provider for massage therapy and bodywork. Cindy enjoys sharing insights on wellness and personal and community development as a speaker and writer.
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