In November we talked about Gratitude and Thankfulness. We turned over every stone, looked in some unique places, and found what we were looking for. Even though the turkey carcass hasn’t even been picked clean, we are in the midst of the Christmas season. Shopping, “Bring a Dish to Pass”, cookies, decorations, lots of family. This month, we’re looking at Comfort & Joy, so we’re asking – What brings YOU comfort and joy?  We’ll share ours and we hope you’ll share yours.

Barenaked Ladies “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”  

Holidays are such a stew of family, food, parties, presents, emotions, travel, and hopefully, time for a bit of reflection. Thanksgiving is past, the holiday decorations – minus the tree – are up, the first of the Christmas parties start this weekend, the work for my clients is done. Today my Comfort and Joy is found luxuriating this afternoon in the quiet and solitude of my home.

It is late afternoon, and the light at the time of year is best described by Wallace Stevens in “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” –

“It was evening all afternoon. It was snowing and it was going to snow….”

There is a distinct hush, a cloaking from sound, a quiet that falling snow creates. It envelopes us in our own snow globe where the mountains are veiled and the evergreens are still under the weight of the snow. A small bird settling on a branch, or a wisp of wind moves the pine needles just enough to release the tiniest snowstorm that swirls in the air.

It is this quiet I relish. When the house is still, the dog languishes in front of the warm register, the cat curls up in a corner, and I choose where I will sit, relax, have a pot of tea, and just be. To sit and enjoy the simplicity of the quiet, the aloneness that allows my thoughts to wander. The warmth and comfort of the sofa. The joy of being able to dive into the book I’m currently reading. All these sweet, little pleasures draw me in and allow me to be still. Allow me to take a giant step back from the noise, and busy-ness of life to wallow in the quiet and solitude.

In this small break from reality where there are no work projects to complete, no phone calls to return, no meals to cook, no house to clean…nothing is so important that it needs doing right this very minute. Right this very minute I’m doing what needs to be done – I am quiet, I am reflective, I am alone.

It is these stolen moments that comfort my soul and bring me the inner joy and peace that keep me grounded and sane. It is these moments that allow us to realize that comfort and joy is not wrapped in paper and bows, it is not the company Christmas party, it is not the hall-decking…it is the moments in our lives that fill our heart to overflowing. Comfort and joy are found in the moments that allow us to relax and find happiness in quiet simplicity.

Today, and on many days, my comfort and joy is found in quiet reflection and solitude when it was “evening all afternoon.”

Where do YOU find YOUR comfort and joy? I’d love to hear….