“‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”

All’s quiet at the Housemans.  Well, almost.  The tree is aglow, the house is decorated, the stockings are hung, Valerie is home from college, and plans with friends and family are made.  But wait; there are presents to be bought, grocery shopping to be done, and baklava and cookies to be made.  It will be a busy week.

Deepak Chopra, a well known health and wellness guru shared his thoughts to answer the question “Do you have any special advice for dealing with the pressure of the holidays?”
He said: “A good way to slow things down and regain balance is to take time alone each day, to sit in silence and calm your thoughts, even if it’s just for a few minutes…..  When I wake up every morning, I nurture my body and mind through exercise and meditation, and then I’m free to give 100 percent to the world the rest of the day.”  I always favor the early morning time before anyone is awake to enjoy the quiet and reflect on my day to come.  Perhaps for you it is after everyone is asleep and you can reflect back on the day. Whenever it is, it is your time to focus on your well-being. 

Dr. Chopra went on to say:  “Also, shift the way you think about the holidays.  Rather than seeing the season as hectic and stressful, consider the fact that it gives you an amazing opportunity to spend time with friends and family – some of whom you don’t often see.”  Slow down and visit with those dear to you, rather than rush from one scene to another.  You will not have these moments again.

Do whatever it takes to capture the sense of wonder and celebration that marks the holiday season.

From my family to yours, I wish my readers a Merry Christmas.  May peace, health, and prosperity be yours throughout the holidays and the New Year. 

An Italian monk named Francis, who later became known as St. Francis of Assisi, began the tradition of singing Christmas carols in 1223, and the rest is history.
Test your knowledge of Christmas carols (courtesy of Elks magazine, Dec 05/Jan 06 issue):  Answers appear at the end of Personal Reflections.

1. Which carol was written by a man whose son was wounded in the Civil War?
2. Which famous recording star thought that a new Christmas song, which later sold ten million copies for him, was silly?
3. Which Christmas song was written for Thanksgiving – in 1857?
4. Which is the oldest carol written in the English language that is still sung today?
5. Which Christmas carol is based on a Latin poem, has been translated into over 75 languages, and is incorrectly called “The Portuguese Hymn”?
6. Which carol was written just after the Civil War by a pastor who had recently returned from a trip to the Holy Land?
7. What Christmas carol is called the “song from heaven”?

Both my children were born around the holidays.  Valerie is my Christmas baby, born December 21, so Happy Birthday Val!  One more year and it will all be legal!  You bring great joy into my life and your infectious smile is a delight to all.  Many blessings and love to you in the New Year.

Thank you to all my readers who are a part of the Balance Beam community.  I am grateful for each and every one of you.  I will be taking a two week break to spend time with my family; The Balance Beam will return on January 10, 2006 with thoughts of New Year’s Resolutions.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Boxing Day to my readers in the UK.

Answers to the trivia questions:
1. “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”
2. Gene Autry – the song “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
3. “Jingle Bells”
4. “The First Nowell”
5. “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
6. “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
7. “Silent Night”