The Spirit of the Season

 This year, I have been watching a lot of cheesy love-story Christmas movies. I enjoy their lightness, happiness and predictability. 

We all know that if you've watched one, you've watched them all. They seem to follow the same common theme. 

• one of the characters moves to or visits a small town before Christmas
• there is always the contrast of big city living/small town, and high paying corporate job/struggling artist
• they meet a man or women and are immediately annoyed by one another, have to work together somehow, start to like each other (or as they say "fall in love"), have a fight (usually a secret the other was keeping the entire time) then either get engaged or married at the end of the movie. 

So yes, not totally realistic and a mushy love story for sure. But after I've watch a few I have found a deeper common theme and meaning, that I would like to share. 

The message I'm seeing is to follow your heart - not just towards a love interest. One could argue that "falling in love" with the guy or girl is what changes their life. But what I've witnessed is they have also fallen in love with the community, lifestyles and themselves.

During their time in the small town they have reconnected to something inside of themselves they were suppressing. By letting go of the hustle bustle or the daily grind, they find their authentic selves amongst the quiet, simplicity and coziness of their surroundings. They find something that lights them up. They find a family or community of people who welcome, accept, support and love them just as they are. They find something substantial that gives them a purpose. All of this makes them feel true happiness for the first time in their adult life. 

This is the feel-good part of the story. As humans we have a deep need and desire to connect - to a community and to ourselves. As within so without. Nearly 80 years ago, a study about happiness began at Harvard University. The study followed people from teenager years to old age, gaining insights on what makes a happy life. The conclusion was that there is a strong link between happiness and close relationships with family and friends.  (See links below to read more about the study and human connection). Our human existence has always been about community. In our digital age it's a wonderful thing to be able to connect far and wide, but how often are we truly connecting with our friends, family and community in person?

So yes, on the exterior these are fluffy love stories about a struggling artist becoming a queen overnight at Christmas-time. BUT I think we can take some good advice from these movies:

1. Choose what lights you up, follow that light with trust and faith. This will show you your authentic self and bring you more joy than you could have ever imagined.
2. Surround yourself with a community that accepts you for all that you are, and is a safe place for you to rest your head. 

I encourage you to follow your heart and your dreams. What did you want to be "when you grew up?". What did you enjoy doing as a child? When was your last time you had coffee with a friend? Can you create a weekly or monthly social with like-minded friends? How can you connect more this winter with family? Take some time to ponder or journal about these insights. Let the continued insights flow throughout this winter, follow them with trust and foster your inner harmony.

Wishing you a healthy and connected holiday and winter season!

🤍 Jen

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life/

https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-importance-of-connection#benefits