Sigh
Christmas and the holidays can bring major up and down emotions for all. I almost fell into the trap …
Christmas — we were missing 5 people.. due to illness and last minute work. I had a few moments where I was teary and mad at the world and THEN … I dragged myself back into the moment. Thank GOD I have the ability to cherish what I have.. can you imagine the moments I would have missed had I languished in what coulda woulda shoulda?? Life is precious, short and a journey. I LOVE the journey. Don’t get me wrong, I have my “woe is me” moments…
but my biggest gift to myself this Christmas was being grateful for the NOW
Coming to that awareness has been a journey for me — one that I still haven’t mastered but it’s on my 2014 list and probably will be on all future lists. I read. I read a lot! If I don’t have time to physically sit down with a book .. I will listen to a book. In my car, while I am getting dressed, cooking .. you name it! It started as an attempt to “find” myself .. now I know that you are always learning and evolving . I am always growing. The minute I think I don’t need it, don’t have time for it, know it all … is the minute I regress back to “woe is me” THAT will never happen. I can always learn something new – “teach me” I say!
If you were in my home before our kitchen remodel .. you know the extent that I take that! I had words on the walls .. READ, PRAY, LOVE, FORGIVE, HUG , FAMILY… I have dry erase markers near any mirror – random quotes that catch my eye will be written there. My husband and I don’t buy each other gifts at Christmas .. typically we will take a trip together instead (TIME is our most precious gift to each other) This year he said he just HAD to gift me some socks he saw while working in St.Louis. The toes.. I look down and see “I am awesome” .
I am awesome.
BE awesome — it’s a choice…..
OH my …
How did this year happen so quickly? Are you stressed? I will be honest… I WAS a wee bit stressed. My house… yes … even MY house can get DIRTY! I am one busy lady and this year is no exception. I have calmed down a bit on the demands I place on myself, cough … that’s what I am telling myself. Is it working? It truly is. I can let you in on a little secret… I decided to embrace the reason for the season.
It WORKS! Instead of stressing about not having all 26+ years of collected decor up the day AFTER Thanksgiving … I have incorporated it INTO the reason for the season.
HOW?
Each Sunday of Advent.. I add something NEW. This weekend we will finish the tree. Next weekend a wee bit more and by the time my boys arrive .. I will lovingly get their help to finish together as a family. Right boys? ahem
Let’s discuss the cleaning aspect…
Guess whose house does NOT get regular cleans when our client demand is HIGH … This girl. It’s OK.. sorta? NO WAY! I want to go to the theatre… make blankets for project linus, collect food for the food pantries, ring bells, sing carols, go to mass, BE with my family .. my time is worth so much more than cleaning the dang house!! I am taking whatever HOUR .. we have and thrilled with what they help me accomplish. I am lowering my expectations a little bit– taking off my “Martha” hat and putting on my “In the moment hat”. I am sleeping at night .. and enjoying this life.
The choice is yours.. what hat will you wear this season?
side note: In my quest for perfection, I have been very absent in the blog and newsletter forum of our business. I decided just to dive in. It won’t be perfect.. there will be grammatical errors BUT I love connecting with YOU again.