Christmas empathy
This Christmas has felt so different than anything I have ever experienced before.
Initially, a somber sense of reality and truthfulness filled our home, after spending time Christmas Eve and morn volunteering at both the Calgary drop-in Centre and the Mustard Seed, observing the broken spirits of the homeless in this city. Nothing bares more truth to living in the moment than experiencing the harsh realism of poverty and struggle, especially after being a part of the consumptive decadence associated with Christmas. Bearing witness to the physical and spiritual gulf between ‘us and them’ was far too much to endure on Christmas morning, to whip up a cheerful and bright holiday facade, when all I wanted to do was curl up into a fetal ball and lay on the couch and cry.
Slowly I am coming out of my cocoon which I have sheathed myself protectively in, coming back to my own truth of working at the CHR during the holidays, preparing for a quiet day, filled with both angst and excitement, knowing that today is my first public yoga class, taught during the lunch hour, to my co-workers, peers and Managers. To say that I am slightly intimidated would be an understatement ….
Christmas around those who don’t have homes or families is always difficult to stomach. When it all comes down to it, those of us who are given much are to take care of those who have been deprived of wealth (mental, spiritual, physical, financial etc.). Spending your Christmas Eve are those agencies does not go un-noticed. Instead of spending your time oblivious to the troubles in your city, you took the step to think of those less fortunate. Good job!