Fill in the blank. Hectic, crazy, stressful, meaningful, insane, important, depressing.... even wonderful...
I usually get to this time of year and feel that something overwhelming is happening. This year I'm seeing more of the component parts. It's a long list.
Less daylight, colder temperatures, Thankgiving holiday followed immediately by the realization that Christmas and New Years are just a few weeks away, gift shopping to do, performance reviews had to be completed, and new plans written and signed, health care changes have to be done before the end of the year, financial considerations for tax purposed can't be postponed, there's only one more week of work before leaving for holiday visits with family, the furnace needs to be replaced, the intermittent squeal in the car checked out...
Come to think of it, maybe it's better to just have one big overwhelming feeling.
Why is it, that just at the time of year that nature has put everything to sleep, that we pile these layers of activities, responsibilities and commitments on ourselves? Wouldn't we be happier taking a month or two to relax, sit by the fire, and perhaps have one grand celebration to mark the season? Instead, we're so busy that we can barely fit it all in, and we miss the chance to settle into a deeper, meaningful experience.
Something to think about for next year.
So many people think of Christmas as a chore rather than a pleasure. If anything about the holidays seems a chore, I say cross it off the list. Gift-giving and visiting family are certainly not obligations. I'm immensely happy every year when the holidays roll around again. All of the traditions bring me a lot of joy.
ReplyDeleteIn my case, it's not that Christmas isn't enjoyable. It's all the other stuff that piles into the last 4 to 6 weeks of the year and consumes so much energy and attention.
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