The thought that crossed my mind as I was putting out my Thanksgiving decorations was, “In a month, I’ll be putting up my Christmas decorations.
Oh my!”
The joy in what I was doing dissipated. However, just as quickly, my wiser-self slipped in and said, “Enjoy the season of gratitude.” I took a deep breath, enjoyed the fall colors around the house and smiled at my Thanksgiving angel on the mantle of the fireplace. That breathing space was short lived.
On Sunday, as the jack-o-lanterns and ghosts from the night before retreated, I was bombarded with Christmas shopping advertisements and television commercials for the Christmas movies that have already started on the Hallmark Channel.
As I opened my email I felt accosted by the multiple Black Friday advertisements. And when I got into the car with my husband, he taunted me by playing a Sirius Radio station that has started to play Christmas carols. No…stop!!!
Stop, it’s the very beginning of November. I want to get off the
holiday fast train of push and pressure.
Do you?
Now don’t get me wrong. I love the holiday season. But at my own pace. Not before Halloween or the day after. I love the month of Thanksgiving. It makes me sad when Thanksgiving gets lost. This wonderful time of year is an opportunity for people to focus on what they are grateful for and when families reunite and spend time together.
How do you get off this path of push and pressure and not allow yourself to be dragged too early, unwillingly, into the holidays?
Remember you always have a choice. Some choose to opt out of the holidays completely, but if that doesn’t suit you….
- You can choose to stay present in the moment
- Focus on the theme for November-gratitude and appreciation
- Each day think about ways you can make things simpler and easier for yourself
- Take some time and plan what you want to do –don’t wait until the last minute to do things
- Plan family gatherings that truly make you happy, not out of obligation
- Choose not to walk down the holiday aisles in the store until you’re ready
- Let go of the “shoulds” and start to think which rituals make you and your family joyful during the holidays
- Say no to invitations and tasks you don’t want to do. Don’t overcommit yourself
- Tune off the Sirius radio Christmas station and turn on your holiday music when you are ready :
Post and let in on your secret to holidays your way. And, look for Part 2 of this series.
Fall into the joy of gratitude, appreciation of the season and reminiscing. You do have a choice of whether to take the fast paced holiday train, get off completely or to enjoy the holiday season in your style and at your pace,
Bonnie
PS If you’re looking to open to grace during the holidays and into the new year find out more about The 7 Gateways of Grace.