Sitting Practice
by Jerry Harris

For the past two weeks I have avoided my sitting practice. I don't want to look for excuses but two come to mind. One issue is the season of Christmas. I do not celebrate Christmas in all of it commercial splendor but my family and friends do. So this fact I must accept. I also have for many years of my life participated in the Christmas celebration by making a list and checking it twice before I go and have my own seasonal suffering hoping to find happiness in presents. Although I have not given gifts for years, each year there is some guilt bestowed my way from people I encounter because of this fact.

The other issue is the holiday is so entrenched in society, the media and work. It is a great time to be festive and even though we do not buy presents, I still enjoy looking for antique holiday decorations and displaying them. We actually have a small tree with lights that we display year round just because. Then there are the social events. This time of year is full of social events and those take time too. So those are my excuses. Now that I have stated my excuses, let's see if I can accept them, stop complaining and get back to my sitting practice.