I did something different with holiday decorating this year: I finally got a train to go around the base of our Christmas tree. I’ve often admired them and thought about doing it the past couple of years, but hated to spend the money on something that will only be out one month of the year, especially since we don’t invite many people to the house. That guilt melted this year when I found one for $25 on a Black Friday sale. Why not, I thought? Perhaps it would be more worth it to invest in some seasonal joy. So far, it has been. People think it’s a brilliant idea. And I wonder what took me so long to finally do it every night when I turn the tree on and come to the same answer every night: acceptance.
I’ve talked about the process of acceptance in this blog a lot, especially in the last year. Acceptance isn’t just a final stage of grief; it’s also a process of accepting and making the best of what you’ve got. I think that during the holidays especially we have unrealistic expectations of perfection that simply aren’t attainable and lead to annual disappointment. So this year, I’m doing something different: I’m celebrating the season with joy and appreciation for what I’ve got.
There’s too much going on this time of year to do it all, so you have to pick and choose. I think one trap is believing that it has to be all about giving to others, at the expense of yourself. This is nonsense. As they say in my meditations, you have to fill yourself up first. How can you have anything to give if you’re empty? Sure the holiday season is about giving, but you have to do it with a full heart. That only happens when you take care of yourself. And this doesn’t mean bubble baths and wine. Sometimes it means getting enough sleep, or making and sticking to a budget, or limiting the sweet snacks and fighting to keep a reasonable diet. Some treats are necessary to be sure, like the train set, or the holiday necklace and earring set I bought to reward myself for FINALLY finishing that Believe in Santa cross stitch. But you know what? I also bought Christmas gifts for others when making both of those purchases, with an eye on the finances. I say it all the time: it’s about balance.
Likewise, you can make wise choices. We’re going to a couple of live shows with family, which is something we do every few years. The parties and social gift giving have dried up since COVID, so instead of feeling sorry for ourselves we decided to find out what else was happening and take advantage of what we’ve got. An old friend once told me “Christmas is an entire season, not just a day.” That stuck with me, and I’m committed to enjoying and celebrating it well.
Another saying that’s stuck with me is a quote from the Star Trek: The Next Generation series finale: “who you were, who you are, and who you will be are always with you.” Traditions ground us, and they can be joyful, nostalgic, and even stir up some grief over people and things passed. We certainly don’t live in the same world we grew up in, but it’s still a part of who we are and it’s ok. Let it pass. Give it space, and accept it. Hold on to what’s meaningful and important to you and if others don’t share that, find a way to make it your own. The holidays are a season to celebrate all that was, is, and will be. That includes you. Be authentic. And if you miss something, they always come back.
Give yourself the gift of acceptance this year. People aren’t perfect, and neither is life. Let it go and celebrate what speaks to you this holiday season. Embrace and enjoy what you’ve got, and let the light of the future warm your heart this holiday season.
Thanks for being great friends! I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday Season, and Happy New Year!
God Bless,
Sherri
I’ve talked about the process of acceptance in this blog a lot, especially in the last year. Acceptance isn’t just a final stage of grief; it’s also a process of accepting and making the best of what you’ve got. I think that during the holidays especially we have unrealistic expectations of perfection that simply aren’t attainable and lead to annual disappointment. So this year, I’m doing something different: I’m celebrating the season with joy and appreciation for what I’ve got.
There’s too much going on this time of year to do it all, so you have to pick and choose. I think one trap is believing that it has to be all about giving to others, at the expense of yourself. This is nonsense. As they say in my meditations, you have to fill yourself up first. How can you have anything to give if you’re empty? Sure the holiday season is about giving, but you have to do it with a full heart. That only happens when you take care of yourself. And this doesn’t mean bubble baths and wine. Sometimes it means getting enough sleep, or making and sticking to a budget, or limiting the sweet snacks and fighting to keep a reasonable diet. Some treats are necessary to be sure, like the train set, or the holiday necklace and earring set I bought to reward myself for FINALLY finishing that Believe in Santa cross stitch. But you know what? I also bought Christmas gifts for others when making both of those purchases, with an eye on the finances. I say it all the time: it’s about balance.
Likewise, you can make wise choices. We’re going to a couple of live shows with family, which is something we do every few years. The parties and social gift giving have dried up since COVID, so instead of feeling sorry for ourselves we decided to find out what else was happening and take advantage of what we’ve got. An old friend once told me “Christmas is an entire season, not just a day.” That stuck with me, and I’m committed to enjoying and celebrating it well.
Another saying that’s stuck with me is a quote from the Star Trek: The Next Generation series finale: “who you were, who you are, and who you will be are always with you.” Traditions ground us, and they can be joyful, nostalgic, and even stir up some grief over people and things passed. We certainly don’t live in the same world we grew up in, but it’s still a part of who we are and it’s ok. Let it pass. Give it space, and accept it. Hold on to what’s meaningful and important to you and if others don’t share that, find a way to make it your own. The holidays are a season to celebrate all that was, is, and will be. That includes you. Be authentic. And if you miss something, they always come back.
Give yourself the gift of acceptance this year. People aren’t perfect, and neither is life. Let it go and celebrate what speaks to you this holiday season. Embrace and enjoy what you’ve got, and let the light of the future warm your heart this holiday season.
Thanks for being great friends! I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday Season, and Happy New Year!
God Bless,
Sherri
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