Happy Holidays & Welcome 2024!

by | Dec 19, 2023

Winter is just about upon us – and that means that very soon the days will slowly start to lengthen and we will have more light in our lives.

While I enjoy snuggling by the fire with Hershey I miss the time on my back porch enjoying the animals and nature. I learned a new word recently, niksen. t is a Dutch word and it means to do nothing. What a concept! Instead of being and constantly doing it tells us to sit and be. To let our minds wander and enjoy whatever thoughts pop into our heads. Do you niksen? Where is your favorite place?

 

This is one of my favorite poems. I first heard it as part of a production of The Christmas Revels when we lived outside of Philadelphia. Steve took me to Bryn Mawr College to see the production of the Celtic Revels.

Honestly, I had no idea what to expect. OMG! It was amazing. The night was dark, cold, and pouring! The production was in an old church turned into a theatre. We entered the stone building and sat. The lights went out. It was pitch black and out of the darkness, from the lobby area I heard bagpipes. The pipers came in playing as they walked to the stage.

The production included performers from children to septuagenarians. There were singers, dancers, actors, musicians, both professionals and amateurs from the local community. It was amazing! The performance ended with this poem.

Steve went on to be one of the chorus members and I ushered and then headed up the merchandise until we left to buy our inn. Each year the production selected a different country/tradition to showcase. To this day I miss those productions! If you find a Revels troupe in your area, and there are some across the country, grab tickets and enjoy!

This week we uploaded our 26th and final episode of the podcast, INNtrospection: Grief to Growth, for 2023!!

In it, I share my reflections on the year, talk about niksen, gratitude, and selecting a word of the year.

I encourage you to check out my YouTube channel to view an episode or more. You may also find the audio-only episodes on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

While my focus is on grief and loss, neither the podcast or I am maudlin or depressing.

Grief is very normal and when allowed to be expressed can be freeing and open up many possibilities!

If you’re struggling with the effects of a lifeq transition, know that you’re not alone. Remember that it’s more than okay to take time for self-care and prioritize your emotional well-being especially during the holidays.

Don’t feel shy or afraid to seek support from loved ones, join a support group, work with a professional, like me, who specializes in grief. You can schedule a time to chat with me here.

If you or someone you know would like coaching, I have a few spots open. Remember, grief doesn’t only appear after a death. It can happen with any big life change, even positive ones.

I wish all of us a 2024 filled with peace, love, joy, and an abundance of good.

Until the next time, I love and appreciate you,

Amy

International Best-Seller!

Coming this February!

My chapter – The Alchemy of Grief: Discovering Silver Linings in a Loved One’s Death