
Photo by: Susanne Nilsson at source.
I know it’s only November and some might question my sanity, because it’s too early to even think about the holidays. Well, I’m pretty certain I’m not the only one thinking about the dreaded month of December. This very merry month is almost upon us. For most of us it’s a time of tiresome visits to the shops to buy presents, baking cookies until your back can’t take no more and then cooking a really big dinner and eating leftovers for the remainder of the week. We’re usually tired and happy to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one. Let’s face it: the holidays can be a b*** and that’s when you’re lucky enough to be able to afford all the material things capitalism makes you think you want. I want to try to inspire us all to take a step back to see that the holidays coming don’t have to be this stressfest. Why do we let ourselves be consumed by consumerism?
I guess I’m here to remind us to truly think about what we really want to achieve with this year’s holiday time? Do we want to devote all out time to shopping and glitter that only shines the outside of our lives? Or do we want to spend as much time as possible with the ones we love? I’ve spent quite a few Christmases doing the typical: stressing about money, about what to get everyone, baking cookies and cooking … Granted, it all looked nice and I thought I was happy. But I was just so tired. I don’t remember playing with my niece or nephew, I don’t remember sitting down with my sisters or friends or my parents and have a mind-of-everything-else conversation and I don’t remember much of how it felt, but I sure remember how it all looked. I don’t want to have my family around for the holidays and miss them at the same time. That’s ridiculous!
This little confession does not mean I won’t be baking cookies, but it does mean I won’t be baking as much. It doesn’t mean I won’t decorate our house and it does not mean I won’t buy presents for my family and friends. I just won’t be as worked up about it, because I’ll do my best do devote time and not material stuff. It’s ridiculous how frantic we get. I look at the faces of the people in the shops and I hardly ever see a person with a smile on their face. What’s the point of a holiday if you can’t even crack a smile and be happy? Maybe we should bring the holidays into our hearts a little more. It doesn’t mean to instantly become religious and all that jazz if that wasn’t your thing to begin with. Just let yourself be happy and express a little gratitude for all your blessings. If you’re anything like me, you have a lot to be grateful for. No one has everything, so don’t wait to own everything to make you happy. Life’s too short.
I always say that we’re responsible for our own happiness and we usually tend to make our lives a heck of a lot more complicated than they really are. We seem to complicate ten fold before and during he holidays. I suffer from the same condition as most: the stores start selling Christmas items in November and I find myself already planning and contemplating … Well, this year I chose to let go just little bit and instead of all the stuff I would usually plan on buying, I’m now contemplating the experiences I’d like to have. I can choose not to be the typical consumer and I plan on doing just that. It’s not easy for me, I’ll admit that.
I’m grateful to be able to make such decisions. I’m grateful for my health and for the health of my family and all though I have my share of worries and stresses, I’m grateful for all my blessings. It’s so easy to take them for granted and only find reasons to complain. It’s like we’re worry robots and all we do is solve problems. The moment one problem is solved, we jump on to the next one. The sad part is that we’ve let this mentality seep into the time of the year when we have a chance to let it all go and find inner peace. We need to wake up. We need to realize that the people we love in our lives today may not be here to see us for the next holidays. This is life and it’s unpredictable. I like to believe I have control over my life and I tend to over-plan things. I have to actively remind myself not to take the people I love for granted. It’s not about the things in my life, it’s about the people in it.
However you choose to spend your holidays and the upcoming month, I hope you find peace and love in your life. I wish for you to notice not just the lights shining around you, but to light the flame inside you and pay it forward. Share your holiday kindness and patience and a whole lot of love.