The world around you suddenly becomes the Kingdom of the Snow Queen. The trees are covered with crystals and everything, at first sight, looks like a fairy tale. You can't stop exploring the beauty of the iced branches shining on the light. Then, you step outside and realize the ground is an ice rink and every single step is like being on skates. You better stay at home and don't go outside. But, then the electrical power is gone and no one can't promise it will be coming back soon. On the contrary, the battery-powered radio, the only connection with the world at this point, warns you to brace for the possibility of being without power for about 76 hours and more... And tomorrow is Christmas...  
The nasty ice storm that hit Toronto this past weekend brought down the power lines and left hundreds and thousands of households without electricity. Our home was one of them. We stayed more than 24 hours without hot water and heat, without phones and Internet, no cookies in the oven, no lights on the Christmas tree; all our plans destroyed...
As I am writing right now, I am thinking of the fact that our modern society depends on electricity to function more than ever and it's difficult to imagine life without it. But Mother Nature is too wise that she always finds ways to make us pause and pay attention to the basic needs in life, to remind us not to take single things for granted and think of a more healthy way of living and giving back in the world. What I experienced during this blackout was the warmth of the family playing together board games and cards on candles, laughing and sharing stories around the kitchen table, gazing at the moon through the frosty window, painting the handmade wooden ornaments in white, checking frequently on our ill neighbour left alone since his wife is in the hospital with a broken leg, thinking of those who don't have shelter... Frankly, at first we thought Christmas without power would suck, but then as we recollected the most beloved H.C. Andersen's story "The Little Match Girl", we reflected on the time when people celebrated the true spirit of the holidays in the most humble, sincere and giving way...
Not with the lights on the trees and roofs, but the light that is already inside of your heart.
Not only with the holiday feast on your table, but with food giving to others. Not with songs coming from the TV or CD player, but songs sang with your own voice.
Not only with the gifts under the tree but with the gift of gratitude for everything and everyone in your precious life, for your normal, peaceful and meaningful day, with the gift wrapped up in faith that miracles come in moments...


“I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. “
~Charles Dickens





Wherever you are, whatever language you speak, whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope your day is warm, filled with light, peace, and LOVE!   
Thank you to all of you who help me rekindle the light inside of me at times it goes out.
                           Have a Merry and Bright Holiday!




 Sharing with Be Inspired