Four of us took ourselves to church at the decent time of 10.30. We took our time to prepare food and by mid afternoon we were joined by my best friend and her family, down from the city. It made my heart sing to see those teenagers sitting around our dining room table happily playing board games and cards, with no prompting from me. We exchanged no gifts, as planned, and I don't think anyone felt deprived.
The highlight for me though - was the addition of our rescued greyhound. We collected him from his foster carer just before Christmas. It was a 6 hour round trip. What a pleasure it was to share Christmas with him - and most of all to give him a forever home. He is so very worthy of love and we are privileged to have this gentle, placid, regal and most kindly creature in our home. (If you want to know more check out GreyhoundAngels of Western Australia on Facebook.)
I am happy that Christmas was not materialistic and that our greatest fun came from family, friendship and a dog we've named Jasper (Jasper - a red gemstone - because he is red, and that was his former name, and he is a gem!).
I love that we have this spacious place now just after Christmas and before New Year to reflect on the year and to look forward to the new one.
I am encouraged that we managed to get through the Christmas period with our ideals in tact.
I feel hopeful that I truly can live more simply and that I will breathe a little easier in 2012 because I am finally living by my convictions. I don't have a long list of resolutions this year. I have a visual journal with images and words that support my growing vision of simple living - and a heart of gratitude for things beyond stuff.
