There is so much concern being expressed today about political correctness and whether you should wish one a “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Hanukkah” or a generic “Happy Holidays.” Children are told that the old-fashioned Christmas break is now a winter break at school, and they cannot sing traditional carols as part of the winter break holiday program.
Christmas is the legal holiday celebrated by 90 percent of all Americans in the month of December, not the first day of winter. According to current research, 96 percent of all Christians celebrate Christmas and 80 percent among non-Christians. It is particularly wonderful when other important holidays like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa fall during this special season so there are many special activities to partake in and celebrate, even if Christmas is not one of them.
The concern over what to call the holidays or how to great one another is the type of political correctness that removes much of the joy that usually accompanies the holidays and creates negative Feng Shui energy by reducing the value of the wish. The joy and significance of honoring another’s beliefs through wishing them a Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah is the primary reason for extending good wishes.
Celebrate Your Holiday Enthusiastically
If Christmas has great meaning to you and you’ve celebrated it your entire lifetime then celebrate it with great enthusiasm and merriment. That provides great Feng Shui energy – energy that will fill you with wonderful memories that last all year long. If Hanukkah is the holiday you celebrate, then celebrate it in your appropriate fashion – like those who celebrate Christmas, your celebration will also provide warm loving memories and inspiration. If you are part of that 5 percent that celebrate other holidays, do so with appropriate gusto and reverence. Do not bow to the politically correct choir and allow your holiday season to be stripped of its good cheer and be relegated to mediocre energy for you and yours.
Great energy is created through:
festive decorations of the season
colorful bright lights
gifts large and small – given and received
wonderful foods and
greeting one another with merry and happy wishes.
These are all great personal energy builders that help encourage you through what could be an otherwise difficult year ahead or be more joyful in a wonderful new year ahead.
There is great positive energy in holiday colors, which nicely coordinates with the Feng Shui 5 Element Cycle.
The color green represents the good health plus wealth of the element wood.
The color red represents the fire element, which provides great fame and good luck.
The blue of Hanukkah represents career and spirituality through the element of water.
The metal elements of silver and gold encompass everything from creativity and children to travel and helpful people.
And many of the ornaments of the season are made out of blown glass or fired ceramics, making them a great symbol of the element earth which influences positive relationships and a grounded lifestyle.
The bright lights further energize all who celebrate.
Feng Shui is all about helping you energize yourself and your surroundings. When there is a wonderful opportunity once a year to celebrate a very special holiday in your world, celebrate it with great enthusiasm and savor the moments you share with family, friends, neighbors and even those strangers you run into at the corner drug store or the mall parking lot.
Remember to celebrate the intent of your season and wish those around you the appropriate good wishes for the holiday being celebrated. Enthusiastically proclaim your wish, be it “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah” or a wish for any other holiday during this special season of peace on earth and good will toward others.
© Pat Heydlauff, All Rights Reserved Pat Heydlauff, president of Energy Design, uses Feng Shui design principles to eliminate chaos and stress at home and within oneself. More than a Feng Shui expert, Pat is a consultant and speaker who helps remove clutter and negativity while encouraging personal growth, improved relationships and prosperity. Her new book, “Feng Shui: So Easy a Child Can Do It,” shows how to achieve a better tomorrow. For information on her consulting, speaking and artwork, call: 561-408-2708.