LIFE IN A WORD

The Word is Chrismukkah

Definition: Merriam-Webster Dictionary: This dictionary does not recognize Chrismukkah as a word.

So I consulted Wikipedia for their definition:

"Chrismukkah is a pop culture portmanteau neologism referring to the merging of the holidays Christianity’s Christmas and Judaism’s Hanukkah.

Posted 12/23/24

My Story on Chrismukkah

This Wednesday, December 25th, 2024 is being recognized by some as Chrismukkah (when Hanukkah and Christmas fall on the same day) so I thought it would be nice to share some facts and then some thoughts.

First the facts from my research:

Fact #1: Chrismukkah first arose in the German-speaking countries within middle class Jews of the 19th century. After World War II, it became particularly popular in the United States, but is also celebrated in other countries.

Fact #2: The term, Chrismukkah, was popularized beginning in December of 2003 by the TV drama THE O.C.,wherein the character Seth Cohen creates the holiday to signify his upbringing in an interfaith household with a Jewish father and a Protestant mother.

Fact #3: 2005 was the fifth time since 1910 that Christmas and Hanukkah fell on the same day.

Fact #4: We'll have to wait until 2035 to experience Chrismukkah again.

Fact #5: The Christmas and Hanukkah holidays don't align more often because the Jewish religion follows the lunar calendar while most of the world follows the solar or Gregorian calendar.

Now some thoughts:

It is kind of a tricky word to say. It doesn’t roll off your tongue like love, joy, happiness, and peace do. Yet, in my opinion, it is the coming together of people to celebrate a common theme - 

a miracle happened here.  For Hanukkah, it is the miracle of light and for Christmas, it is the miraculous birth of the baby Jesus.

So when Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day, I say embrace it. Celebrate the belief in miracles. No one is asking you to change your faith, but where's the harm in appreciating each other's connections to their faith and beliefs? One need not negate the other. One need only find common ground. In this case, it is the belief in miracles. 

Albert Einstein, best known as a man of science once said: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

With that thought in mind, I wish everyone a joyful holiday season, filled with the spirit of miracles and goodwill for the coming year and beyond.

LIFE IN A WORD

The Word is LOSS

Definition: Merriam-Webster Dictionary: an instance of losing someone or something

Posted 12/18/24

My Story on Loss

I am writing this with tears in my eyes. I have just lost another friend to an incurable illness. She was someone I came to know during my visits to my mom’s Senior Living Facility.

We met at the salon in the Assisted Living facility. We started a conversation, and it was one of those rare connections where you instantly “click.”

Ironically, we shared a birthdate, were both born in Brooklyn and lived on Long Island for parts of our lives.

In a note to her daughter after learning of her passing, I wrote about how she was dealt an unfair hand at an early age. She was only eight years older than me. I wished I had met her sooner. Her feistiness, drive, artistic talents, and love of life were contagious, even as she bravely fought her illness. I feel blessed to have called her my friend.

Over the past five years, I have met nearly a hundred people at my mom’s Senior Living Facility. Many have passed—far too many to count. Sadness and the sense of loss hits me every time. Some I had the pleasure of sharing stories and hugs with. Others, I knew by exchanging pleasantries as we passed each other in the hall. I am grateful for the sweet and caring connections I have made with each of them. And it is from this place of gratitude that I want to shift the focus of this story, from loss to appreciation, and how gratitude has helped me find solace. I hope that, after reading this, you might find the same comfort in moments of loss.

Senior centers typically offer three living options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. These stages mirror the phases of life and the level of care required.

Watching friends and acquaintances travel their paths, I take note. Some face their challenges with optimism, strength, and unwavering smiles. They affirm their resilience through their words and actions, and I learn from them. Others find themselves overwhelmed by loss—their health, independence, and joy. From them, I learn too. The question that often comes to mind is: How prepared are we for these inevitable changes? Can we ever truly be ready?

What I’ve discovered is this: with gratitude, we can make the most of every moment—past, present, and future.

The past allows us to relive cherished memories. We can revisit those happy, more active times through photographs or hearing stories retold by friends and family.

The present invites us to find meaning in the here and now. Even simple acts—reading a book, calling a friend, attending a community activity—can give purpose to our days.

The future, while unpredictable, is still ours to dream about. What if we dared to ask for what we truly want? Whether it’s a special request for your next birthday or holiday, or a bold new vision for your life, take charge of your dreams and watch them come to fruition.

As the holidays approach, I want to leave you with this comforting thought: Grief is an acknowledgment that someone matters to us. So, as you reflect on the loss of a loved one, this holiday season, remember all that remains because they were part of your life. Recall the joy they brought, the lessons you learned, the shared laughter and tears, and the quiet moments. Be grateful for all that you are—past, present, and future—because they were in your life. Know that a part of them stays with you always when you let it.

I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. May it be filled with heartwarming stories of the past, the present, and dreams for the future.

If you need guidance in navigating your feelings of loss, please contact me for a free consultation. Let’s rediscover those losses through gratitude and love. Email me at innervoicelifecoach08@gmail.com—I’m confident our time together will be well spent.

LIFE IN A WORD

The Word is THANKSGIVING (with a shift)

Definition: Merriam Webster Dictionary: The act of giving thanks.

Posted 12/9/24

My Story on Thanksgiving

I love words, mostly because they carry the power to shape stories and teach life lessons, which is why, I like to give certain words a second look. Having just enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday, I decided to offer a new take on the word Thanksgiving by adding a simple hyphen: Thanks - giving.

Thanks - giving hyphenated can deliver not one but two distinct and meaningful interpretations, stories, and life lessons. One is for giving thanks for what we have and the other is for recognizing the joy of giving to others.

Commercial purchases aside, let me share a story about giving. Last weekend, I gave my 4-year-old grandson the gift of teaching him to cook one of his favorite cookies. Cookies I traditionally make for him and not with him. Something he has always been thankful for.

By giving him my time, a chef's apron, M&M’s, chocolate chips, sugar, cinnamon, and walnuts with which to sprinkle over a pastry dough, I gave him the gift of fun, of making a memory with his grandmother and the pride in having created something he could enjoy and share with others. 

Giving to others by sharing what we are lucky enough to have to enhance their lives can take many forms. During the holiday season, when my children were younger, we would be given the name of a family and a wish list with their needs. We would wrap the gifts and deliver them to the welcoming family. We also asked our children to donate one of their holiday gifts as a life lesson. The lesson, "It is better to give than to receive".

As a Life Coach, I take pride in giving my clients specific tools. Reframing is one. It means taking a bad situation and making it better. Being stuck in traffic can be frustrating, or being stuck in traffic allows you time to make a call or listen to a favorite podcast. Turning a bad situation into somewhat of a gift. In this case, the gift of time. That's the tool of reframing in a nutshell.

The tool of memory is a reminder of past success. This is another helpful tool. If a current client is not happy with the job you completed (even though they approved it every step of the way) you can remember all the satisfied clients you had, thereby restoring your confidence and moving on to the next job feeling inspired and not deflated.

The gift my clients give back to me is the smile on their faces and the pride they share for reaching their goals. I am very thankful for that.

As we move through this holiday season, may you feel gratitude for all you have, and may you feel the joy that comes with giving to others. That is the true spirit behind the word Thanks - giving (with a hyphen).

Happy Holidays to all. May this coming year be filled with kindness, peace, and love.

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If you or someone you know are looking to prepare for the challenges the holidays can stir up, I invite you to have a conversation with me. There is no cost or obligation, simply an opportunity to share your concerns with a Life Coach who is looking to empower you with a few of life's management tools.

Please click on this link to schedule an appointment. I am confident it will be time well spent.

https://www.innervoicehealthandlifecoaching.com/contact-4

A reminder, there is no cost or obligation, merely an opportunity for me to embrace the gift of giving.