I just have to mention: this morning, it was seventeen degrees outside. I am not ready for this.
Nonetheless, I’ve got another entry in the Staying Balanced series today, because I should always remind myself to quit moaning. Even at seventeen degrees.
In case you missed what these posts are all about, here’s an intro:
The holidays are underway – one of the busiest and often most stressful times of year. Everyone will be faced with traveling, office parties, family gatherings, friendly affairs. Gifts need to be found and bestowed, elaborate meals planned and cooked. I know I can always use some reminders to keep myself balanced this time of year, not necessarily in terms of food, but in body and in mind. This series aims to do just that.
People seem to complain a lot in the wintertime. The air is cold. The sun is down more often than up. Some people are cranky from resisting holiday treat after treat. Some are overwhelmed by holiday travel. Some are stressed by family. In general, everything seems pretty grey.
homemade vegan sushi: half an avocado and a rainbow of vegetables
It’s easy to act grumpily, scoffing at the gaudiness this time of year. There are countless red velvet ribbons, men dressed as Santa, blow-up reindeer in neighbors’ front yards. In my hometown, one family actually puts up an elf-inhabited ferris wheel in their yard, amongst an overwhelming amount of other characters and lights. [In recent years, they've actually coordinated a light show with music on their own radio station. I don't kid.]
Beyond the decorative excess, many of us have worked to take all emphasis off of the visual in our lives. It keeps us from focusing on numbers, reflections, or anyone’s perception of beauty, and that can be useful throughout an intense, gingerbread-cookie filled season.
But the truth is, I still love visuals. I adore fashion; it’s one of my favorite art forms. While I try and appreciate music, I find much more stimulation from the images of live performance, such as theater and dance, than I do listening to sounds [however beautiful they may be] with my eyes closed. I’ve always loved being behind a camera lens, capturing both still and moving images.
parsnip and beet mash
Lately, I’ve been trying to embrace that piece of myself, giving the images around me the clout they deserve. Maybe it’s “healthier” to believe that all that matters is inside us. But zeroing in on all the vibrant color that surrounds me has made me realize just how beautiful my life really is.
If I look past the over-the-top decór, the grey skies, the early sunsets, and the sugar comas, there is so much holiday-infused beauty to be found. It begins on kitchen plates, of course, overflowing with hues of every shade.
It goes further, to classically decorated trees and modern gold menorahs. To burgundy and gold in the clinks of red- and white-filled wine glasses. To toothy whites and reds in the smiles at family reunions. To the rainbows of wintertime vegetables.
My head might often brim with nerves, but all I have to do is take a look around. Right in front of my eyes, I see colorful proof that life is rich and full. Why stress about that?
Look around. What is bright and beautiful around you?
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At this current moment, my towering, beautiful Christmas tree is bright and beautiful around me :)
wonderful, as always.
what’s bright and beautiful around me? my neighborhood. i almost froze my toes off when i left my apartment this morning, but the calm aura of my neighborhood left me with a relaxing feeling, despite the fact that i was on my way to work, which is always hectic and not fun. mad brooklyn love. :)
I finally finished up at school last night and drove home today. I am catching up on blogs right across from something bright and beautiful. My family Christmas tree. I HATE putting up the tree – its messy, overwhelming, and I never feel satisfied with the finished result. But I love that I was able to skip the crazy decorating and just appreciate the finished project!
BTW, you’re homemade sushi looks DELICIOUS!
lovely post as always Leslie :) love your vegan sushi! i am definitely making something inspired by that soon! :)
hmm what is bright and beautiful around me…the Christmas lights hanging in my room :)…no tree lol..just lights, i am Jewish as you know, but love the little white lights, they make me so happy as i sit here and type, with the sun going down and the little sparkly lights in between Maya and my room’s french doors, love it! along with that the menorah each night is bright and beautiful, i am so enjoying lighting the menorah each night with Maya and my mom! :-)
xx
Eliza
love you
xx
Eliza
Spending a relaxing and enjoyable evening talking, eating, and sipping wine with close friends really helped to remind me what the season is all about. No stress no stress, I keep telling myself.
I love the contrast between a grey sky and something colorful outside: the red bow on someone’s Christmas wreath, a copper roof or bright green trees.
Love this. I’m all for finding the beauty around me. What an insightful, colorful post. Thank you, I needed this!
Don’t forget to smile :)
bec xo
I can’t help but “see the picture” in everything!
also, the prettiness of actions & behaviors. i’m wearing my boyfriend’s sweatshirt right now, it’s all long & baggy on me, and he just walked in here & was like, “my sweatshirt?” i was like, “i’m wearing it,” and then he was like, “ah…?” and I was like, “i’m making sure i do these things on purpose.” lol
you are such a captivating writer. i see your words! <3
Ahh I just love the way you write. I love this time of year. My family no longer gives gifts, so Christmas is about taking a few days off work, going home, sharing meals, maybe watching a movie, and watching the little ones play. It is just about resting, and I love it.
Running in 11 degree windchills, I love then its over! :)
You are a great writer. And I think your photography skills are beautiful.
Thanks for the comment on my blog, I appreciate them, and hope you drop by sometimes :)
The roaring fire at my parents’ house, while visiting for the weekend. It’s just the right thing on a cold, near-to-a-blizzard kind of day.
The falling snow! I love how quite the city gets when it’s snowing.