Good will toward men can be hard to keep

As one of my retirement goals, I continue to practice yoga because it is much more than poses. The mind is exercised as well as the body. Our teacher Andrea teaches us about Ahimsa. “Ahimsa in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain tradition is the principle of nonviolence toward all living things.” I am at peace.

Not more than five minutes away from the yoga studio, a car cuts in front of my car and the guy behind decides to tailgate even though I can’t leap over the cars in front of me. I struggle to remain joyous hours later when all I want to do is cross the street with my grocery bags and no one wants to slow down to let me cross.

Gabriella Horowitz writes on her blog mbg (mindbodygreen), “If harmful thoughts exist within my being, then pathways leading to harmful words, deeds, and habits also exist, and it’s a very slippery slope.”

Lately, the whole world seems to be on a slippery slope, and it feels impossible not to slide down the same chute. We live in an angry world, and instead of practicing nonviolence we vow to get even. At no time do we need to be more patient than at Christmas. Peace on earth and good will toward men becomes only a line from a Hallmark card.

Another retirement goal is to learn more about the apps on my iPhone. I learned how to record my appointments and when I have an event, a small dot appears on that day. Every day has a dot. I have no dotless days! How did I let this happen?

I throw down the wrapping paper and hop on my bike to stop my mind from racing to get everything done.

Horowitz writes, “Ahimsa is looking in the mirror and not thinking that you look fat in that outfit (and not telling your sister that she looks fat in hers). Ahimsa is as easy as remembering that all beings everywhere have the right to be happy and free. Ahimsa is mindfulness. Ahimsa is an idea that can grow into a reality if we will it so.”

During the holidays, we read my daughter’s favorite Dr. Seuss book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” I recall her face as a young child - how it would change from worry to delight when at the end the Grinch has an epiphany about what Christmas is really about - not material gifts but spending time with loved ones, an insight that causes his heart to grow to three times its original size.

What is it that you wish to unwrap this year? Will it make you happy or free? What gift are you giving to yourself?

I remember when I took my widowed neighbor Mrs. Ramsey to the popular store Bed Bath and Beyond. She walked down every aisle examining items: an egg ring, a sushi mat, a tea infuser that floats on water. She held up drink covers shaped like radishes and cauliflower, paused in front of a lime-green Fold a Bowl. “I am 86 years old,” she said shaking her head. “Why I need to fold a bowl is beyond me.”

Wishing you the very best of holidays!

Email lgraff1979@gmail.com.