It's the most wonderful time of the year

 Today is Christmas Eve, Eve.. Sounds funny when you say that out loud.. Seems weird to be saying it all, actually. It seems like just yesterday we were preparing for the upcoming holidays, but it wasn't this close. The hustle and all that goes into making it a great holiday seems to go by so fast. Holiday parties, buying presents, decorating trees, then in a flash the holidays are over.

Time seems to move by so much faster the older I get. When I was a child it seemed like FOREVER for Christmas to come, and now I keep saying, it's almost Christmas? Where does all of that time go? I remember as a child hearing, Don't grow up too fast, and all I could think of was wanting to grow up fast. It's funny how that happens.. Now, as an adult I hope for more days in a week so that I can get everything done. This week has already flown by, when just last week, I thought I could get everything accomplished this week. Time just always seems to run out..

Finishing up my first round of edits was harder than I thought. I had wanted to be done with them before the winter break came. It happened, but it was a struggle. Writing seems to come more natural to me than actually speaking to others. (I do talk to people, and can be quiet friendly) But, I find writing everything out just seems to go smoother. (Haha, because most of the time I don't have to worry about saying the wrong thing) It lets me get everything off my mind that I feel I can't say aloud. I am sure that I do say many things I shouldn't say aloud, but writing down your thoughts seems to be such an easier task.

When I was a teenager I would write about the holidays, just for myself, everything I had hoped would happen and everything I had wished for would all come magically, on Christmas. Many years, it wasn't about gifts, it was about peace. Peace within myself, peace for my relationship with my parents, and peace within my heart.

Now, I find that writing about the holidays seems to be about making sure that my children are happy, and that they have peace.

Every year is different, last year, I was preparing for what had been one of the worst years of my life to just move on into the new year.. This year I am not waiting for the new year, I am enjoying the every day life.

As the holidays will soon be over I wanted to take a minute and reflect on everything wonderful about the holidays. The food, the family, the friends, and the love. It's my favorite time of the year, and I hope that you have found peace this year too. Remember, it's not always about what's under the tree, but what's in your heart that makes all the magic seem so real.

I wish every one of you a very Happy Holiday! Peace, Love, and all that Jazz- Dee

It's the most wonderful time of the year

It's the month of December and what most people call the most wonderful time of the year. The holiday season is truly upon us with only a couple weeks left till Christmas and the New Year. For whatever reason people seem more giving and caring at this time of year. Maybe it's the "holiday spirit" may be it's the fact that people do seem to like to give than to receive more at this time of year than any other time.

 For whatever reason, I find it uplifting.

Many people have different beliefs, many people in many countries celebrate the holidays in their own customs and ways. Some people are very religious and take this time of year to share their beliefs with others. I don't do that.. I won't be doing that. I feel the holidays are so much more than what people perceive them to be. It's not about your religious beliefs, it's not about how much you can buy for others, it's about what's in your heart.

That being said, if we were going to go off of belief systems then Christmas would actually be celebrated a different time of year, but again that's all subject to the person's beliefs.

I find that celebrating what I believe, celebrating the family time, and the love with one another is where I find the joy of the holiday season. Everyone should be able to enjoy the holidays as they wish.

When I was a child I have some of the fondest memories waking up on Christmas morning, the house already having this wonderful aroma in the air, and the feeling of joy in my heart. Now, my birthday is the very next day, so sometimes it was the excitement of that too, but for the most part I enjoyed the holiday.

 As a grown up I have spent a Christmas alone, I have spent holidays giving back to the homeless (it's wonderful to be able to give back when you can) I have spent the holiday traveling back and forth to family, I have spent the holiday crying.. Every year is different, every holiday season is different for each person.

This holiday I would like to just take a time to reflect on the past year, the past holidays, and make this one count. Last year we had almost what you would call a Christmas miracle happen.. I am not looking for anything like that this year, just a wonderful season of love and joy.

Many people suffer with being depressed this time of year, for whatever reason, and I am hoping that they find some peace and joy in this holiday season too.

We all come from different back grounds, different places, but that doesn't mean that we can't be kind to one another. Not just for the holidays, but in our every day life. Of course, not everyone is going to be able to do that, especially with the evil that seems to be lurking over our heads so much lately. BUT it's a nice holiday wish.

With all of this being said, I wanted to share a song with all of you today. I am not religious, I am not what most people are, I don't share many of my religious beliefs, but I found this song, and it was just beautiful.

I love music, and I love natural talent of the voices that can bring you joy. It doesn't matter what you believe, when you hear a song and it moves you, that's all that matters for those few minutes. I believe that you can like music, you can like songs that you enjoy, and it doesn't matter what your religious beliefs are. I hope that you find this song beautiful, and that may be for those few minutes it takes you to a peaceful place whatever you believe.

-Peace, Love, and all that Jazz- Dee 

Playlist Wednesday with a twist..

           Today, I will share some videos with you all. I also wanted to talk about what's going on in with where I am at today, and what is happening in our world. I felt the need to touch on two subjects. My heart is breaking for all the ones who have lost their lives in the earthquake in Nepal. How devastating of a tragedy. They have said the death toll is at 5,000. That's to many lives lost. There has to be a way that we can warn people better for these types of catastrophic disasters. My heart just breaks knowing that people have lost loved ones. With that said, there has been many groups offering to take your money to help over there. Please be sure they are legit, before sending anything anywhere. It's sad, but people will use these disasters a way to pocket your hard earned money.

Then, here, in America, in Baltimore, Maryland, to be exact we have riots breaking out by young people. I understand that you are angry, and you want something to change, but that isn't going to help the cause. We have to get back to basics with this. Why would you burn down someone's business that they worked so hard to build up, all because you feel like you are taking a stand. That's not taking a stand, that's taking on stupidity. Often our actions become what we are known as, but don't let this be how you are remembered. You want to take a stand, then MARCH. When Martin Luther King Junior, marched all that way to the white house because he had a dream, they weren't rioting the streets. They weren't out there making a full of the ones who had fought hard before them, they took a stand that lead to a country non-divided. What do you get when you do these kind of things? You think this helps your cause? I don't see how. I don't understand all this violence in the world. Killing one another, for what cause? For what right do you have to take away someone else's business or life? Again, I can understand that people want justice for what has been done. For what was wrong, but this isn't the right way. Why can't we all just learn to get along? To show one another in support, not hurt others because we are angry?

Sadly, that story and those words seem to never truly be heard. We as a people must do better for our children, and the next generations. If we don't stand for something, then we shall fall for everything. I truly hope that never happens. Stand up, be proud, but take JUSTICE into your own hands. It will only be met by anger which will lead down a dark path.

I found this song, to be quite beautiful. As the music grows dark, there is a light side to the song. May we all find our light, and let it shine. Be the change you want to see in the world. Don't let anger and hate guide your way.

On that note, I wanted to share a song today about finding some peace, and maybe some hope for all of us. Finding a place for love in dark spaces. Letting the phoenix rise from the ashes so to speak.
-Dee-