As we approach this year’s holiday season, you’ve read how we’re also looking for the ways to be more inclusive and diverse. The holiday season in Canada definitely focuses primarily on Christmas. I love Christmas. It’s what I grew up with. Over the years, I’ve learned about other celebrations as well from some of my closest friends including Hanukkah and Lunar New Year. I’ve come to love those rituals and celebrations too because they’ve helped to deepen those important relationships in my life.
Either/or thinking about the holidays may well be possible if we could turn off all of the “Christmas channels” around us. But, of course we can’t, and many of us wouldn’t want that. And, it doesn’t have to be either/or. Rumi wrote “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” I love that quote because I imagine it to be where another amazing way of thinking lives: BOTH/AND. In the field of BOTH/AND, we can celebrate BOTH our own holidays or beliefs, AND learn about and celebrate the holidays and beliefs of others in the world. Because after all, at the core of these celebrations is: belonging to something bigger than ourselves.
We welcome you to join us this holiday season with our wish for everyone – that the weeks ahead offer an opportunity to enjoy time with family, friends, and loved ones whether observing traditions and celebrations – old or new – and focusing on the promise of a happy, and healthy 2022 for all.
Thanks,
Carolyn
