Happy Chanukah!

I've come to love this holiday and its traditions since moving out on my own after high school. I started by joining the "Frozen Chosen" in Fairbanks, Alaska for my first Chanukah away from home. I hosted a raucous Chanukah party in my tiny Washington Park bungalow during my first holiday season with my future husband (and made him grate ALL the potatoes for latkes). I felt very special upon receiving my very own beautiful menorah from my Great Aunt Sylvia when I got married and bought my first house (to replace the sad gold-painted plastic one that was a hand-me-down from my mother's third grade classroom). And I truly enjoyed lighting the Chanukah candles with Sadie last year. But this year should be extra special because it's sure to be the first when Sadie will be aware of the colorful candles and magical flames each night. Hey, she may even join me in song!

some thoughts on Chanukah (from others)....

May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all humankind. ~Author Unknown

To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle, every cubic inch of space is a miracle.
~Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

Christmas brings enormous electric bills. Candles are used for Hanukkah. Not only are we spared enormous electric bills, but we get to feel good about not contributing to the energy crisis. ~KOACH Humor, "Holiday Distinctions Finally Explained" (KOACH College Outreach is a project of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism)

May love and light fill your home and heart at Hanukkah. ~Author Unknown

The darkness of the whole world cannot swallow the glowing of a candle. ~Robert Altinger

And finally, here's a little Chaukah deliciousness from Matisyahu. Gotta love him....

Piece Together Peace December 2010

As I discussed in this post, I set an intention for myself for the month of November to make meditation a somewhat regular part of my life. I have never spent much time meditating or had any luck or success with it when I tried. I remember my dad (who has meditated most of his adult life) meditating after a long workday, or on a Sunday morning when I was a kid. I really had no idea what he was doing, or why, I just knew that we weren't supposed to make too much noise! Over the past year or so, as I've struggled with finding balance and peace in my life as a busy working mama, my dad and others have recommended meditation to me as a tool I might want to consider. So, November was my month to give it a try.

I decided that guided meditation would be best for me at first. My mind is so busy all day every day (and many insomniatic nights, too) that I didn't feel like I'd have the self control to quiet my mind on my own. I picked up a copy of Guided Meditations for Busy People at the library and put it on my ipod.

Although I didn't find as much time to meditate as I was originally hoping for (3-4 mornings a week? right!), I did take 15 minutes or so to meditate on the mornings that I could drag myself out of bed a little early. There were times that I just couldn't get into a rhythm...my mind was still zipping all over the place, and I didn't feel like I got anything out of it. Then there were times that I actually did feel my breathing slow, my mind settle, and my body relax. And what a beautiful thing that was for me! And even the times that I didn't feel like I quite got to the relaxed state I was aiming for, I was still taking some time to be quiet and still, which I don't really do that often, so those were still valuable sessions.

I believe in the power this practice can have for me. I truly hope to continue to use meditation as a way to keep me grounded, calm, peaceful, and present.

My December intention for my own personal Piece Together Peace project is a simple one. The holidays are oh so busy for me, and more so this year with my lofty goals of handcrafting many of my christmas and chanukah gifts (why is it that keeping the holidays "simple" ends up being more work? hmmm?? anyway, I'll talk more about that later...). Needless to say, we're a busy bunch of Petersons right now. But I LOVE this time of year and have found myself really getting into the holiday spirit. So, my intention is to ENJOY! I want to really enjoy this season of family, friends, food, music, crafting, and magic. I want to soak up the wonder of it all and try to see things through Sadie's eyes. I want to show and teach my daughter that this season is NOT about commercial, consumer, crap! And how will I do this? I'll breathe, smile, stay present, be grateful, and not put unrealistic expectations on myself. And I'm looking forward to it.....

Remembering

Happy birthday Grandpa. I'll be spending the day thinking of you and how much I miss you and love you.

My Little Chicken

This time of year has been full of so many fun, new traditions with Sadie.

Piece Together Peace

Inspired by the women over at Threading Light, I've decided to partake in my own version of their Piece Together Peace project. Their suggestion, that "the most significant work we can do for the benefit of our planet is the work that we do on ourselves" is really resonating with me right now. I believe that if I am more peaceful, my family is more peaceful, and in turn my community is more peaceful.

I've been doing some pretty serious reflection and introspection lately about who I am as a mother, wife, and coworker. And even though I'd like to be, I often find that I am NOT the most peaceful person in the room.

I often feel completely overwhelmed by all the changes I want to make in myself. This project makes it seem a bit more manageable with the monthly challenge to "make a commitment to change some aspect of your life that will bring more peace to you and the beings around you". Each month I will be making one small change in my life, lifestyle, attitude, or habits that I believe will bring more peace into my life.

For the month of November, I'm planning to start meditating at least a few mornings a week. The quietest, most private part of my day is first thing in the morning when I am the only one awake in my house. I'm looking forward to waking up just a little bit earlier to spend some quiet moments meditating before starting each busy day.