Image Credit: Stephanie Bond/PhotopinCC
Has the frenzied pace of Christmas shopping and holiday prep left you weak in the knees?
Tell the truth. Don’t be shy!
If you nodded yes, then you’re not alone.
I think every one of us has experienced that mind-blowing exhaustion that sneaks up and threatens to overwhelm.
And for busy moms, writers, and work-around-the-clock folks, those feelings of insanity tend to be magnified. After all—if Sally Sunshine can shop for and wrap several dozen perfect gifts, keep the perfect house, cook the perfect meal, and smile the perfect smile all while doing everything so perfect, then why can’t we? What’s wrong with us?
Enough of that already!
Let me tell you a secret—perfect is a myth. And boring.
Of course the holidays are busy. Of course emotions run high. But if we lose sight of what Christmas really represents, what’s the point?
The beauty of the season’s lost. Those precious moments in time are forever frittered away—and remembered not with joy and expectancy, but with bittersweet if onlys.
This year our family’s scaled back on decorating, gift-giving, and racing to-and-fro to guilt-laden obligations.
We’ve prioritized areas that mean the most to us just now. Things like family time and togetherness. Church activities. A special school function. Cookie and goodie baking. Downtime. (And if you’re a writer, see my post Why Writers Should Use Christmas Break to Recharge. So important!)
Life’s far too short to do what’s expected.
Yes, we’ll have duties to meet and schedules to keep, but most other things are choices.
We should do out of joy. Out of love.
Anything less is a fib underlined in regret.
My prayer for you today would be a simple one.
In this most holy season, may you find the courage to not be so perfect.
May you find peace anchored in faith.
And may it be a game-changer.
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Do the holidays leave you breathless?
How will you change that?
Additional thoughts you may enjoy:
Hope for the Holidays (Encouragement for Writers, Caregivers, and YOU
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A little gift from my alma mater and one of the goodies I look forward to snacking on! It’s the simple things…
Blessings Always,
