I dream about the white Christmas... Because at first glance, it is more magical, brighter, cleaner, somehow more innocent. And also quieter, more peaceful. Do you remember the beauty of running up a hill and sliding down on wooden sleds or plastic bags? The laughter, the squeals (and wet pants and runny noses and linden tea and absences from school and here and there—in my case twice—broken limbs)... Later, the squeals are replaced by irritation – from slippery streets or dirty slush, from having to go to work even at such a magical time (or bad weather), from scraping the white crap off the car... Or amazement, when you stop for a moment, perhaps thanks to children who can still see the pure beauty.

The one who will be born again in a few days, once said that unless we become like children, we will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes, children can do it. They can rejoice in the snow. In the birds at the feeder. They can feel pure joy in the miracle of life. As a child, I loved reading Jan Šmíd's magical books: The Pure Joys of My Life. They spoke to me beautifully at a time when I was beginning to lose the ability to rejoice like children. The second volume is The Return of Pure Joys. And so I want to wish you that you can do it again. May those pure joys return to you. May you, when you go out in the snow, be able to enjoy not only great skiing or hot punch, but also the warm knowledge that you are not alone in the world, that there are many creatures around you with any number of legs who love you. That you are still in this wonderful world—billions of people are not so lucky (anymore). That you can breathe, you can laugh, you can bring joy to yourself and your loved ones. 

I wish you to always have sunshine in your soul, whether it is white or gray outside. And if you believe, even just a little, that an hour of human conversation in the peace and warmth of a cozy therapy room in Kladno, or even in the quiet winter forest of Kladno, could help you with that, write to me or call me. I'd be happy to sit with you, happy to walk with you. Or we can write to each other. Anything, just don't be alone. And if you are alone, you don't have to be lonely. I am thinking of you. And I am enclosing a small gift for you or your loved ones. Just print it out and you or your loved one (or both) will have an hour of healing peace for only CZK 500. Or write to me and I will create a personalized certificate for your loved one, which you can print out and put under the tree. Why? Because it's Christmas. So let's bring therapy a little closer to people. Wishing you a magical Christmas, Petra