Mary Pierce

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TODAY’S LAUGH: I shopped early online and have avoided the crowds this year. So far. But this week I have to–shudder–go to the mall to finish up. Yes, I’ll be Manic Mary as I navigate through the battery-powered Santas ho-ho-hoing and the dancing reindeer jingle-belling. I’ll be tempted by the dozens of “AS SEEN ON TV!” must-have gifts that holiday infomercial hustlers hawk. I’ll be assaulted in the department stores by the fragrance ladies and come out smelling of seven different scents. (Later back home, DaHusband will remind me that Chanel is nice but they’d sell a lot more if they made a perfume that smelled like roast beef. “Or gravy. No man could resist,” he says.)  Ho, ho ho…

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: So this week I’ll brave the cold and the crowds, snag a few bargains, and rush home to wrap and clean and bake and cook and…you know the drill. Scrubbing, shopping, trimming, greeting, wrapping, shipping, cooking, eating. All those traditions. All that stress.

And I’ll ask myself, “Where, in all of that, is Christmas? Where is the joy in my little world? Where is my peace on earth?”

The answers come when I make room in my holiday schedule for  the most important thing: PEACE TIME. Time for reflection, for pondering, for prayer, for wonder. (”Peace” scheduled into my calendar? Ahhh…)

Slowing down for just a little while, I’ll find Christmas waiting for me, right where it’s always been–not at the mall but at the manger. Taking time to reflect on the ancient story (thanks, Linus!), I’ll give less thought to the presents and more to God’s Presence. Pondering the gift of “God with us,” I’ll give my thanks to the Giver of all.

And as I pray, a sense of wonder will fall over me, like fresh snow on a silent night. Wonder at what happened so long ago, when peace came to earth. Peace for me. Peace for you.

I’ll find Christmas waiting as I take time to focus on the why of this glorious season. May you be blessed as you take a little time for peace, and may you, in the quiet, find Christmas waiting for you, too.

Joy to you and yours!

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DaHusband, DaMama and I wish all of you a healthy and happy holiday season. I’ll be back on January 6th for another year of laughter and encouragement with you. I’ll see you then.

You are loved!
Mary

TODAY’S LAUGH: Like those crazy holiday sweaters we can’t seem to give up, we each have our “holiday personality” as well. Which one are you?

Joyful Janie is always upbeat, compelled to accost anyone who is not beaming with holiday cheer with, “This is just the BEST time of year, isn’t it??” She hums holiday tunes all day long and can’t imagine how anyone could be sad or stressed this time of year!

Holy Hannah focuses on the real meaning of the season. Every minute. And she reminds everyone around her to do the same. Constantly. She just doesn’t understand how others can get so wound up in all that “worldly” stuff. Like laughter.

Stressed Sara finds the holidays depressing as they stir up all kinds of rotten memories. She can’t wait for January 2nd. Holidays? Humbug.

Manic Mary has a million things on her list all year long, and then the holidays just add a million MORE. But she’ll get it all done, even if it kills her. You see her–a blur– racing from mall to bakery to bookstore to grocery to hair salon to post office…  She lives in her own little time zone. Whew!

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Which one are you this time of year? Here’s the deal: (1) Yes, Janie, the holidays are a time of joy. (2) Yes, Hannah, this time of year does have deep spiritual meaning. (3) Yes, Sara, the season can stir up regret and pain, stress and worry.  And (4) yes, Mary, the holidays do add a bunch of stuff to an already busy life.

All of the above are true, all at the same time. Finding balance is the challenge. Whoever you are, just for this moment, stop and breathe. Take a few minutes to think: How can I find the middle ground this year? What’s on my list that I don’t need to do at all? What’s on my list that somebody else could have the joy of doing? How can I forgive the past and move forward, worry less and enjoy more? How can I focus less on the gifts and more on the Giver?

The holidays are a time of sharing what really matters in this world–the blessings of love and peace of heart and mind. If you want love, lighten someone else’s load today. If you’ve got extra, share. If you need something, ask. If you want peace, pray.

Thanks for blessing my life. May you find joy, peace, fulfillment (and great bargains) this week!

P.S. Speaking of great bargains… order books at Mary’s Store before December 15th to guarantee holiday delivery. Give the gift of laughter and encouragement to all the women on your list!

SPECIAL NOTE: Some of you have asked permission to use this “Small Miracles” post in your holiday letters. I’d be honored to have you do that. Please just include my name and the website www.laughlady.com. May your family and friends be blessed! *****

TODAY’S LAUGH: The economic numbers made it official on Monday. America is in a recession.Ugh. And then on Monday night, just when I was all set to be depressed, Venus, Jupiter and the crescent moon lined up just right to make a spectacular display low in the western sky. Some said it looked like a frowny face. Humbug.

It looked like a gift–a small miracle–to me, as I stood outside in the twenty-degree darkness, breathing in the cold, clean air, and enjoying some recession-proof (free!) celestial entertainment.

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Small miracles were abundant last night. We may be in a recession, but we had plenty of food (leftovers from an abundant Thanksgiving feast) for dinner. We have heat and lights (for now). And an endless supply of fresh, invigorating air outside.

I choose to see it all as God’s supply and I’m thankful for the small miracles that remind me of his provision, love and care.

Last night’s delightful juxtaposition of planets reminds me of long-ago signs in the night, and the “small miracle” that changed the world and changes us this time of year–if we let it.

As we sense the season’s compassion and overwhelming love toward us, we are transformed (if we allow it) into our best selves. We are transformed into givers, by the gifts so freely given us.

And having so freely received, we feel more keenly than usual (if we let ourselves) the needs of those less fortunate. The donation plea, the bell-ringer’s peal, the call from the pulpit–all touch a place made more tender by the season, and as we give, we create small miracles for someone else.

Let the small miracles transform you this season, and let yourself be part of a small miracle for someone else along the way.

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Thanks for blessing my life! Here are some ideas for sharing this season: (1) Provide a less fortunate family with holiday gifts. (2) Make an extra donation to your local church or synagogue’s relief fund. (3) Put something more than your change in the bell-ringer’s bucket. (Or sign up to ring the bell yourself.) (4) Visit a nursing home. (5) Surprise someone with some holiday treats or a meal. (6) Serve meals at the community table or mission. (7) Check programs for military families who need extra help during the holidays. (8) Offer to do somebody’s holiday shopping. (9) Take your children shopping for toys to donate. (10) Give blood.

Other ideas?

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