Seasons’ Greetings from the Maschkes!

I have always had a habit of looking forward to create goals vs. looking back to celebrate successes. It takes intentional effort to shift out of habits. Once in a while, an experience with a physical object shakes me out of the robotic patterns, like this Christmas tree last week. 

When I first came to the US 20+ years ago, I had “holiday blues”, a sense of mild depression from being far away from family during holidays. My friends Steve and Judy in Iowa invited me to their home for Christmas. I remember feeling very small sitting on the floor by the Christmas tree. Everything was completely foreign to me - the tree, the lights, the decorations, the music, cultural references, and why people laugh at the shows on TV. While I was grateful to be included, I didn’t feel I belonged - to the new country and the new culture. Those holiday blues lingered for some years.

Walking up the graceful marble steps to the second floor of a prestigious business club where I actively participate and contribute, my footsteps gladly synchronized to the light and joyful Christmas music. Before I knew it, my eyes were pleasantly ambushed and lifted by this cheerful Christmas tree decorated with warm lights. It struck me. It brought me back to Steve and Judy’s floor where the younger me was sitting, except now I am standing tall with a deep sense of belonging. I felt grounded through my feet, with roots growing like avatars. 

As the new year approaches, most people are busy making plans for where they want to go. The truth is, it is more important to look back and appreciate how far we have come. It is only with that embodied sense of comfort that we walk confidently into whatever we want to create. 

How far have you come?