The Gift of a Silent Night

I spent this afternoon at Target, just doing regular shopping. It was mobbed! I was not frantic, yet I could feel it amongst the crowds of people. While I was checking out, the idea for this piece popped into my head. I wanted to illustrate all the wonderful elements of this holiday season, somehow highlighting the frantic way all these wonderful things can make us feel. It can be overwhelming to try and manage, orchestrate, buy for and plan ALL the many activities and ‘things’ the holidays require.

I have been asked to show some of my work in process, so the two smaller photos are of the first and second step I went through to create this work. I created a circle using Architect tape covered by light scotch tape. Both pull up very easily from other papers without causing any damage. I then lettered using five to six different pens the words: Joy, Travel, Family, Shopping, Gifts, Peace, Songs, Hustle, Bustle, and many more. I wanted the words to overlap yet leave myself clean space to write the center text. I found the piece a bit dull, only using blacks and grey so I added red and green. I think about it as a modern, holiday wreath illustrating all the many elements we impose on ourselves during this season. I highlighted the woods ‘Silent Night’ as that is my wish for you this season.

Give yourself the gift of peace and quiet. A Silent night at home. No tasks, no to do items, no one other than yourself and your family. Nothing to buy, nothing to wrap, nothing to mail. Maybe everyone wearing pajamas, with a simple meal enjoyed together without hustle and bustle. This is a wonderful time of year, and yet it can be VERY overwhelming and tumultuous. Being able to take a deep breathe, slowly letting out the havoc which allows us to again regain perceptive.

A silent night. A night where you can enjoy peace, joy and give yourself the gift of time alone with quiet. All that other stuff is just stuff, to do items and not really as important as we make it. Dare to turn off your phone and actually BE with the people you care about in calm and peace. Give yourself the best gift you will ever receive, personal peace and the opportunity to enjoy the life you have built. No pressures, nothing to do. In the end it will all get done or it won’t. The goal is to enjoy the season not fret your way into an ulcer.

So again, my wish for you is a silent night…a holy night of peace and rest. Savor your life and dream about who you want to be in 2025. Anything is possible when we give ourselves the gift of a silent night!