think inside the box

it's a business term, "think outside the box". we all know what it means - be open to new ideas, be fearless, creative, daring. it is a metaphor i understand, and try to honor, but i am weary of it.

a ride across the river today made me think of a big box, a great big box that always came down from the attic or up from the basement soon after thanksgiving. and when it was dragged dusty into the living room, the christmas season had arrived. everything necessary for a festive season was inside - lights and ornaments, garland and bubble lights, the sparkly green rotating tree that spun on a tall needle with the help of a 25 watt green bulb. there was a creche and some stockings, and tinsel and old fashioned reflectors.

my sister and i loved that box and everything it in it. at the end of the season when it came time for a new year, we would pack christmas back in there, carefully very carefully. sometimes we would write a note to ourselves and leave it on top, so that when the box was opened the following year we would find a piece of paper wishing merry christmas to us, with love, from us.

that particular box was one to think inside of, not outside. the box held tradition and memories and always hope, all disguised in purples and greens and reds. it smelled like dried pine and ancient cardboard and it reminded us that no matter what else was happening christmas would come and it would go and it would come again. the box held hope, old surprises ever new,

and promise.

i feel short on those things just now, short on hope, and short on promises. short on patience, short on sleep, short on energy, fascination and perserverence.

and so as i remember that box, i am also reminded that thinking inside could be just the tonic i need.

remember that no matter how the world is spinning out of control, sometimes crashing like a an agry wave on a frozen shore, that there is always hope and always promise, all tucked in and waiting for whenever the time comes that i am ready to receive them again.

so a wish and a hope

for happy new year,

and several of them.