Carbonated Holiness

“Laughter is carbonated holiness” – Anne Lamott

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

Yesterday, I picked up a 22-pound turkey for Thanksgiving. When I drove off from the store, the car was beeping. Looking around to see if the doors were shut properly and then at the dash for the indicator light, the passenger side seatbelt light was blinking. I started laughing as I buckled in the bird to stop the beeping.

As we enter this holiday season, remind yourself often to lighten up. Remember what it was like last year when no one could come together during the height of the pandemic. Lay down your politics, opinions and angst that we are still in pandemic living long enough to be grateful, awake and generous. Listen to enter conversation, not lecture. Our similarities unite us. Our differences create the tapestry of color, richness and texture.

Joy, hope, peace, light. May you receive and give all of these daily.

“As long as we feel safely held in the hearts and minds of the people who love us, we will climb mountains and cross deserts and stay up all night to finish projects.”― Bessel A. van der Kolk