Archive for December 6th, 2007
Last one out … Turn off the lights.
Perhaps I am a bear, or some hibernating animal underneath, for the instinct to be half asleep all winter is so strong in me. ~Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Although I tend to be a Polar Bear — frolicking and loving the cold — this night, I am a weary Black Bear; I am headed for a brief hibernation. Whatever my body was whispering on Tuesday about “slowing down” … Well … ahem, it is now s-c-r-e-a-m-i-n-g and it has my complete attention! 
I’ll be back …
Dear Santa … I can explain.
Yesterday afternoon, I was at the Big-Box Store — waiting (for what seemed like f-o-r-e-v-e-r) as the Culligan water dispenser filled my 3-gallon containers — and this authentic Southern woman (I know this because of her bouffant hair, large and dangly ear rings and her ear-to-ear grin) strolls by, as she headed for the eggs in the refrigerator section. She had a faux fur neckline on her sequined t-shirt — a t-shirt which read: Dear Santa … I can explain.
I tried not to stare. However, she and I made eye contact and exchanged polite smiles. (And I resisted the urge to inquire about just where I had to shop to purchase a t-shirt such as the one she was wearing! 
) She went on to open and sort through several dozens of eggs in order to select the three cartons she would place in her shopping cart; I went on w-a-i-t-i-n-g for water to fill my 3-gallon containers.
“What a great writing prompt!”, I thought to myself.
I began to draft notes of my own “explanation” in my head. A zany parade of eclectic thoughts and ideas waltzed through my mind: A blend of excuses and reasonings for possible debates regarding my behavior this past year. Choices I had made (and left unmade — but even indecision is a choice!). And, of course, the curious concept of writing letters to an imaginary man — whose life in fiction (and origin) is about benevolence and unconditional kindness — wiggled through my brain as well.
However, as I moved through the evening (with related thoughts popping like corn in my mind) I also mentally moved beyond the trivial and funny things I could explain (excuse?) … And, I became faced with the question: How often do I allow excuses to determine my response or my expectation regarding my life and my relationships?
That question presented itself again this morning. And I realized how often I have learned difficult lessons about my own excuses. And, although I am still “compiling” my own answer (as part of the perpetual process of “getting there”) … I decided to post it here as a reminder to myself — and perhaps as a gentle nudge for you, dear reader, to consider your own “letter to Santa” regarding situations you might need to “explain” (work though, forgive, accept — to own and deal with).
The option to excuse or to accept one-hundred percent responsibility for one’s actions is a daily choice.
Life happens. What is your choice?
