Christmas in the Real World
Do you have an image of your perfect Christmas morning? From all my Hallmark Channel viewing and Internet scrolling I imagine this:
A family in matching PJs unwrapping a mountain of beautifully wrapped presents. Cinnamon rolls, bacon, orange juice, and Reindeer Blend coffee being poured into Christmas mugs. A kiss under the mistletoe near a crackling fire with Harry Connick Jr singing in the background. It’s the picture perfect white, middle class, American life!
Oh wait! My life isn’t a movie. It plays out more like this: “I’m tired, why is everyone already awake? We don’t open presents until after breakfast. Oh, you don’t like the breakfast? We got the wrong syrup? Why is the wi-fi not working? Why is she crying? When can we open the presents? Why doesn’t my present work? Can you put it together? Where are the batteries?
This week I made a list of all the things I do to prepare for Christmas. It was a long list. I didn’t really feel strongly about anything on the list. I didn’t look forward to doing anything on the list. I do love Christmas, but mostly I love the idea of Christmas, not really the actual work that the month of December brings.
I’ve been thinking a lot about some wise words that Santa shared with me.
Let Go
Say no
Go slow
What if I put this into practice in the month of December.
What can I let go of? Fear, self doubt, and the opinions of others,
What can I say no to? The things I do out of guilt or obligation
How can I go slow? By building margin into each day, taking walks, turning off my phone, and lighting candles.
Take a moment to savor your real life in the real world. It’s all you’ve got. Find the little things…or big things… you have to celebrate, and give a hoot and a holler (or a small grin).