Lotus Moment: Finding Holiday Joy

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Why This Is Awesome: I've heard quite a few people lament about not feeling the spirit of the holidays lately. Whether it's due to the political landscape, news of social injustice, financial stress, or just plain not feeling it, I think a number of people are expressing a mood or two akin to apathy or blah when it comes to what some usually consider a joyful time of year.

On the flip side, I understand their perspective but I don't share it. You see, I've never been a big fan of Christmastime, and I haven't felt the "spirit" of the holidays in years -- well before our current political landscape took hold. Yet, even with that in mind, I still managed to capture a feeling or two of joy in the simple creative and emotional expressions of others.

I'm not one of those nauseating Pollyannas who insist life is what you make it, but I understand that sometimes joy -- Christmastime joy or any other kind -- can be found where you seek it. I often find joy in art and nature, so yesterday I met up with a friend to play tourist in New York City and walk around Central Park and Fifth Avenue, taking in the sites of Christmastime in NYC.

Not only was it great to catch up with my friend, who I hadn't seen in over 6 months because of our busy schedules, but it was especially joy-inducing to see the Park Hotel lit up at night decorated in wreaths and holiday regalia. It was cool to see the giant star suspended over the intersection of 5th and 57th. And it absolutely delightful to see the beautifully sculpted holiday displays in store windows along 5th Avenue.

And no sight induced more joy than the candy-themed windows of Bergdorf Goodman. From the cotton candy Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I to the mint chocolate chip candy store with the classic Liza Minnelli-inspired bobbed mannequin, many of us were in confectionary heaven. Of course, the black-and-white patterns of the licorice window left us in awe, but it was the milk chocolate bear lodge with its chocolate cuckoo clocks and gingerbread houses that took the cake and made us all as hungry as the bear who took a bite of the gingerbread man.

This is where I found my joy, my lotus moment, during this hectic month of December. See if you can find yours in the special spaces and places you know.