fruit fly by angelica osborne
SOME STRAIGHT TALK AROUND THE HOLIDAYS
The Holidays are here?How did that happen?
Thank goodness they have, because I think we can all use a hefty dose of jolly! What a crazy year it’s been. How can we enjoy the
season though, while being immersed in the strife that surrounds us? Well, here’s what I know;when you feel like everything around you is out of control, the best thing you can do, is take charge of the things you can control. Let’s put that nervous energy to use! There’s so much anxiety in the air right now, but can we take out the negativity and just absorb the energy flow? If so, we’d be like a stallion. On a mission! On meth!! Let’s say we start closest to our self and work our
way out. First off: Do something you need to do for yourself physically. Recommit to that Pilates class, dust off your thigh-master, make an appointment to get your teeth cleaned, etc. Not only will you feel better but you can impress the family with your flashy smile and muscular thighs. Next, you are in charge of your personal space, so let’s have a look there. Got clutter? Put together some donation bags, because you know you’re never going to fit into those faux snakeskin pants
again...Pleather don’t stretch, honey! It’s okay to say good-bye… Might as well let go of the Planet Hollywood denim jean vest, too. We know, we know, it came from that great Vegas trip, many moons ago. Please, for everyone’s sake, take a picture of it and throw it into the donation pile. Keep the coconut bra though, you just never know when that’ll come in handy... Oh, and that pile of clothes/accessories that you want to get repaired? Come on, who are you kidding? You
know you aren’t going to, so just get rid of it! Sorry hon, but we all need a li’l tough love every
now and then! Clearing out our space gives us more room to function and somewhere to put all the new stuff we’re going to get for Christmas! Although, we don’t want to re-clutter, with new unnecessary crap and have that just sit around. So, let me just give you permission right now, to donate any gift that sucks jingle balls. Did “someone special” buy it, so you feel bad getting rid of it? No problem, take a picture before you chuck it! We’ve all held on to awful presents before out of emotional guilt—like the dog tag necklace from Six Flags—which I’m sure someone, somewhere, would love. A book of poetry by Rosie O’ Donnell? Seriously, I mean I like Rosie, but was the book store going out of business and that was the last book in the last clearance bin? It sat on a shelf for a few years and then I donated it to the literacy foundation. I’m sure some poor child will get it and wonder, “Geez. Is this what I learned to read for?” Sorry kid, you also have my permission to re-gift! Now that we have all this room, we can start thinking about gifts for other people. Don’t let it be a chore. Like shopping at the mall? Go in the morning on a workday, when you won’t be so frazzled. Hate shopping? Order online while sipping some Pinot Noir. Or even better…Make your gifts homemade this year! Invite some friends over and make it a party. Creating feels good because it connects us to the Creator. Whatever/whomever you call yours: God, Allah, Jah, all-knowing love of the universe, etc. Make sure to take some time to feed your spirit.
Creating feels good
because it connects us to the Creator. What- ever/whomever you
call yours: God, Allah, Jah, all-knowing love of the universe, etc. Make sure to take some time to feed your spirit.”
Churches make you nervous because you’ve met a lot of bigoted homophobic Christians? Totally understandable, I’ve met them too, but it is a new day! My Methodist Church has had a gay pastor for eight years. The Episcopalian church has a gay Bishop as we speak! Maybe just start with a cantata? Or a Christmas Eve service? We could all use a little soul time every now and then, to bring some peace to our anxious minds. You deserve it! Now that we’ve taken good care of ourselves,
we have the capacity to do something for someone else. We all know that giving is even more fun than receiving. Donate some time and money to a cause that you believe in. You say you are distressed over our government’s current standing? Get involved in local grassroots programs in your community. Being a part of the solution will leave you feeling more empowered. Plus, have you seen all the hot, gay guys out there protesting? (Not that it matters... lol) Go join in...Who knows? Maybe your soul mate is out there waiting! It can be very easy to become depressed and withdrawn during the holiday season and especially this holiday season. But, what if we flip the script? Can we turn the negative inside out and make for a very “Merry Christmas?” I’m willing to bet we can! Remember there are things in this life that no one can take from you, so focus on those things. Who knows? It might jump start your 2017 in a whole new way! A little adulting, will make the holiday splurging feel well earned! Here’s hoping our Christmas seasons are blessed out the wazoo!
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RAGE monthly | DECEMBER 2016
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