Are Holiday Cards Dead?

It's that most wonderful time of the year again.  That time when we go crazy buying gifts, baking cookies, and having cups of cheer.  It's also that time of year when we send holiday cards to each other.  Or is it?

I don't know about you, but I'm seeing fewer and fewer Christmas cards in my mailbox, and by mailbox I mean the snail mail box rather than my email inbox.  Sure, everything has become more electronic these days with email, texts, and various social media outlets, but Christmas tended to be the one time of the year when people actually bought paper cards, sat down to write them, and stick stamps on envelopes.  However, I'm seeing that changing.  It now seems that even once a year is too much trouble for some people to send cards.

In case you were wondering, the tradition of sending Christmas cards began in the UK in 1843 when Sir Henry Cole, who was working in what was the newly established Post Office, thought of a new way for more people to use the mail service.  He and an artist friend, John Horsley, came up with the idea of making and selling cards to be sent at Christmas with holiday wishes.

I have to admit that I always look forward to checking my mailbox this time of year and finding cards from people I haven't heard from in a while.  I love seeing the festive pictures on the cards and reading the few words that the sender has penned by hand.  The Christmas cards I receive each year become part of my holiday decor, adorning a shelf near the Christmas tree.

Personally, it would sadden me if Christmas cards were to completely disappear.  Although I have nothing against electronic means of communication, I feel something would be lost without paper cards wishing Season's Greetings.  In the meantime, I will continue to send Christmas cards until stores no longer sell them or I stop receiving them in the mail, whichever comes first.

Wishing you Happy Holidays from the perch.

Be Mindful, You Should

If you're a Star Wars fan like me, then it should be no surprise that the next movie, The Last Jedi, is just around the corner.  Since the first movie came out 40 years ago, people young and old continue to be captivated by events that happened "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away."

Sure, Star Wars is a great sci-fi story with the classic good versus evil theme, but it also has ideas rooted in various world belief systems that speak to everyone regardless of religion, ethnicity, and race.  Some of those ideas might be useful in getting through the holidays as well as other busy and stressful times.

"Meditate on this, I will." -Yoda
Meditation is a great way to take a moment, calm down, and find focus.  Set aside 5 minutes, find a quiet spot to sit down, close your eyes, and breathe. 

"Be mindful of your thoughts...they will betray you." -Obi-Wan Kenobi
Don't dwell on the negative, and don't make mountains out of mole hills. 

"Let go of your hate." -Luke Skywalker
Hating is destructive, and holding grudges don't do anyone good.  Forgiveness may be directed toward another, but it's also a gift you give yourself. 

"Do or do not.  There is no try." -Yoda 
Be confident and just do it, whatever it is.  You can handle things.
 
"Keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs." -Qui-Gon Jinn
Yesterday is over, tomorrow hasn't come yet.  Focus on the present moment, because you can only do something about today.

As Yoda might say--stress over the holidays do not; be mindful of your feelings and clear your mind, you should.  And don't forget that the library has plenty of materials to further help you de-stress (and we got Star Wars books and DVDs, too!).

Wishing you a calm, peaceful, and mindful Holiday Season from the perch.