Usually this time of the year, I can feel some low level stress going on regardless whether I can point to anything in particular that should be causing it, such as gift exchange, travel, events, etc. And I have always diagnosed it as just picking up on a stressful time of the year for everyone. Even with the festivities and lights folks seem to be on edge, wondering if they will have trouble after the loss of a loved one during the year, or some other human milestone.
This year I had almost forgotten about that observation as I had been noticing a bit of a remarkable calm these days, settling into the house and neighborhood as they are transformed from the past to the present. Work has its worries, but it is obviously even better than it has been. And some physical annoyances of aging having adjusted to, like jogging again, plantar fasciitis passed, lower back pain handled.
This week we had a pleasant book club and I felt my house and kitchen was a fine accommodation. Band practice was fun and I continue to reflect on that nice link-up with enjoyable and compatible folks.
So, are people around me not stressed out this year and therefore I’m not picking up on it? Doubtful with a poor economy, employment worries all about, aging relatives and friends to be supported. I don’t know but it’s nice to dodge and annual threat like the flu and holiday stress. One of my unfulfilled resolutions for this year was to be in the Caribbean for Christmas which doesn’t look like it will happen. But maybe I’m in the Bahamas in my mind.
