A Joyful Practice

A Quick Note & EXCERPTS RE: Light & Living “A (SAD) Wonderful Life” (the “missing” Saturday post) December 20, 2025

“Happy Chanukah!” to all who are celebrating. Many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone observing Advent, observing the Nativity Fast / St. Philip’s Fast; and/or letting their light shine with kindness, friendship, peace, freedom, understanding, gratitude, and wisdom.

May you be safe and protected / May you be peaceful and happy / May you be healthy and strong! May you be nourished!

This is the “missing” compilation post for Saturday, December 20^th. My apologies for not clearly posting the music before the practice. You can request an audio recording of this practice or a previous practice via a comment below or (for a slightly faster reply) you can email myra      (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.

In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es).

Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.
Check out the “Class Schedules” calendar for upcoming classes.

“‘You are fettered,’ said Scrooge, trembling. ‘Tell me why?’

‘I wear the chain I forged in life,’ replied the Ghost. ‘I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it.’”

— quoted from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

This is a strange time of year, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. Amid the hustle and bustle, the business and the cheer, there is sadness and fear. There is also SADness. Yet, there is something that cuts through a lot of the dichotomy — because it embraces it. There is something for which we all slow down: our favorite holiday story (or song).

Many people have a favorite holiday story (or song) even if they don’t celebrate the holiday. Many people find hope and meaning in a Christmas tale — or the Chanukah story —  even if they’re not Christian or Jewish (or religious in any way). People seeking that hope is the reason why theatrical productions of holiday stories, like A Christmas Carol (which was first published on December 19, 1843), are cash cows for non-profits. People wanting to “get into the spirit” also the reason why watching holiday movies, like It’s a Wonderful Life (which premiered today, December 20, 1946), is a tradition for so many families.

We are all drawn to certain elements that come up in all these stories.

These are the same elements we find in the Hero’s Journey or monomyth and they include a “Supernatural Aid” (or magical helper) who facilitates the journey from one state of being to another. These helpers can be a ghost (or three), an angel (second class), an extra candle, and/or God (whatever that means to at this moment). They simultaneously aid the hero/heroine and the viewer/reader. Even when they are extraordinary (and magical), they serve as a reminder that, just as each of us can be the light, each of us can be the shamash/helper who spreads the light.

“Let me see the light
Give me something to live by
Let me see the light
I need something to live by
Help me see myself in my reflection
Shine tonight
Let me shed the light in each direction”

— quoted from the song “Shine” by Maccabeats (written by Julian Horowitz)

CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLES BELOW FOR SOME STORIES (and a little bit about SAD).

For Those Who Missed It: “Bah Humbug!” & Other SAD Sayings

For Those Who Missed It: Living “A (SAD) Wonderful Life”

CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR WEDNESDAY’S CHANUKAH POST  & EXCERPTS.

One More On Words [& Stories] (the “missing” Wednesday 12/17 post, w/EXCERPTS)

“Every time you hear a bell ring, it means that some angel’s just got his wings.”

— Clarence Odbody (AS2), quoted from It’s A Wonderful Life, (directed by Frank Capra; screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, with additional scenes by Jo Swerling; based on “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren Stern)

Saturday’s (instant reply) playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “Chanukah (Day 3 – 4) & Shabda 2025”]

MUSIC NOTE: The YouTube playlist includes some videos, the musical version of at least one which is not available on Spotify. A date/theme-related playlist is also available The 2020 playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “12202020 A SAD Wonderful Life”]

“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. And when he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”

“You see George; you really had a wonderful life. Don’t you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?”

— Clarence Odbody (AS2), quoted from It’s A Wonderful Life, (directed by Frank Capra; screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, with additional scenes by Jo Swerling; based on “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren Stern)

If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.

White Flag is an app, which I have not yet researched, but which may be helpful if you need peer-to-peer (non-professional) support.

If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgement-free place to talk, you can also click here to contact the TrevorLifeline (which is staffed 24/7 with trained counselors).

I will offering in-person classes during January 2026. Click here for more details and to reserve your spots now. Let’s start the 2026 together!

### LIGHT IN / LIGHT OUT [INTO THE WORLD]! ###