Hey,
This is Wilson.
Welcome back.
Today's meditation is a light-hearted reflection on gratitude,
Joy,
And the winter spirit.
But really it's about joy itself and why so many people seem personally offended when someone dares to put up their Christmas tree before Thanksgiving.
So what if you do?
So what if you don't?
Why do we feel the need to make each other feel bad for celebrating differently?
Let's take a breath and explore that.
Take a slow inhale and exhale.
Let's release a bit of judgment towards others,
Towards ourselves,
And maybe even towards that neighbor whose reindeer has been glowing since Halloween.
Now imagine this.
It's a gray November morning.
The world outside looks sleepy and undecided.
Inside your tree sparkles quietly in the corner.
It's lights reflecting in the window.
A small rebellion against gloom.
It's not about skipping Thanksgiving.
It's about inviting joy and early.
It's about saying,
Hey,
Life's heavy sometimes,
But the sparkle reminds me that warmth still exists.
And yet,
Someone always says it.
Already?
It's too early.
Pause.
Breathe.
Notice what happens in you when you hear that.
Maybe irritation,
Maybe confusion,
Maybe the inner voice that whispers,
Why do you care what I do with my tree?
But beneath that moment of humor lies something deeper.
When someone decorates early or keeps their tree up all year,
They're sharing a feeling,
A flicker of excitement,
A spark of hope,
A soft reminder that joy can start anytime.
There's even a town in Michigan that celebrates Christmas every day of the year.
Lights,
Music,
Snowmen that never melt.
They didn't ask,
Is it too early?
They simply decided that joy doesn't need an expiration date.
And maybe that's what gratitude is about.
Being thankful not just for what we have,
But for what others find beautiful.
Take a deep breath in.
Feel that warmth spread through you.
Exhale and let go of the need to control how others find their peace.
The winter spirit isn't about timing.
It's about connection,
Gratitude,
And shared cheer.
Whether your lights go up in October or never at all,
What matters is that you let joy in when it knocks.
So breathe in gratitude for those who find magic early,
For those who take their time,
And for everyone in between.
Breathe out comparison.
Because when someone shares their excitement,
What they're really offering is a glimpse of their heart.
And that,
My friend,
Is always right on time.
