"Trimming the Tree" by Michelle Herpolsheimer

Be still

And go on to bed

Nobody knows what lies ahead

And life is short

To say the least

We're in the belly of the beast

Be still

Wild and young

Long may your innocence reign

Like shells on the shore

And may your limits be unknown

And may your efforts be your own

Since the song's initial release, I have adored the lyrics to this Killers song. I would listen to this song repeatedly until it was ingrained in my heart and thoughts. Despite its slower tempo, this song helped me focus on the calmness of my breathing, the rhythm of my steps and heartbeat, increased awareness of my surroundings, and gave me the strength to keep running. It was a somewhat oxymoronic choice of song to play while running, but when I think about it, isn't that how life really feels? In particular, at this season?

Last week was Christmas. Now we are "ringing in" 2025. Are you wondering, "How is this possible?" or is it just me? "Where did 2024 go?" For the past ten years or more, these questions have come and gone annually as inquiries of the past, which I find bittersweet as I become older. When asked "how are you?" I find myself responding to my friends and loved ones. "I am trudging along," I responded. That's exactly how I feel. I've been making an effort lately to "be still" as well as trudge. 

However, how does one actually accomplish that? When everything else around me is demanding, how can I find calm and peace? For me, life is a little busy all around because of work and school alone. Not even this season. I look for time alone to "quiet" my thoughts. To avoid thinking, I usually just sit in front of a dumb streaming program. Or simply cuddling with my pups under a cozy blanket while enjoying the peace and quiet in our bedroom. Additionally, I enjoy baking cookies while shouting at the top of my little lungs and blaring loud music of anything I want to help me decompress. 

Amidst the current chaos, I also find solstice at night, taking in the sight of the Christmas tree lights filling the living room. I recall being a young child and not wanting to go upstairs to sleep at night because I would miss the sight of the Christmas tree and lights. Every year, we continued to keep our tree up until the New Year. Why pull it down so quickly when it was so joyful? In some years, we kept the tree up until after my birthday, which is two weeks after Christmas. That was amazing. 

I made the decision that I wanted to decorate our tree for the holidays and keep it up all year round once I got married, moved out, and we had our own place. Consequently, I do that. During Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, the Fourth of July, Halloween, and Christmas, I decorate my tree. I've even placed a sunflower tree for the summer and artificial flowers for the spring in some years. Unfortunately, I get so busy sometimes that I don't have time to decorate it for every holiday or season. 

Why do I keep talking about this? I keep returning to "be still." I find that intentionally having a tree in my living room, even if it's only lit, makes me pause. The ornaments, the shimmering lights, and the enchantment it offers me are all captivating. I hope that everyone takes some time to be still, however and in whatever way they can. I am aware that I am working on this personally, particularly during the hectic times. I'm looking for inner peace during those silent moments. It feels a little bit easier to handle whatever comes next since I can now feel and experience these simple moments. Additionally, it deepens my feelings of love, admiration, and understanding. Much love to you all, now and always, especially around the holidays. May you look for and locate such peaceful times in your life.