Ever watch those movies on that cable channel that plays holiday movies every day all day long during the month of December?
You know the ones, where there's a quaint little town and the main character (usually a woman) is trying to get away from or back to it because her life is falling apart? Then she meets the love of her life, but doesn't know it, and then things keep happening, forcing them to be together. There's just the right amount of stress, usually a really cute kid, holiday shopping, family time and then they end up together and all is happy, happy, happy!
Yeah! That doesn't happen!
They're lovely to watch. I watch them as often as I can. The Reality is, they are not, reality that is.
So where does that leave those of us who aren't on those holiday movies?
The hustle. The bustle. Cyber Monday emails, ads, flyers. The shopping. The baking. The tree. The lights. The wrapping. The cooking. The going here. The driving there. The in-laws. The stress. The stress. Oh! Did I mention the stress?
What?! Shopping starts early this year? Have all the holidays merged into one and I wasn't told? Why is there Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas stuff all within ONE aisle of each other!!?
What time do we need to be there? How are we going to be over there when we have to be over here at the same time?
Have you seen the kids' list this year? Why are the toys so expensive? How are we going to pay for all of the 'big' kid toys this year? Didn't we buy them that game last year? How many batteries is that going to take? What do you mean your mother wants us to host this year?
What happened to the boxes being more fun than what was inside?
Do. You. See. This. I have another gray hair?!
So, I'll ask again; where do the holidays leave those of us who are not in the movies?
Typically... Stressed!
What to do, what to do
It's obvious, isn't it?
We all just need to de-stress!
Just!? Oh yes, just de-stress!
Sounds easy, doesn't it? NOT!!!
I don't know about you, but I always feel so much pressure
Or
Is it that I put so much pressure on myself when it comes to the holidays.
I want that 'perfect' holiday. The right food, the right cleanliness, the right gifts, everyone getting along, smiles, laughter, family games, a fire, snow (because I have control over that, right?)
I can let it get so out of control if I don't stop and remember, I AM HUMAN not God (thanks God)!!
I have a board (of the wipe-off variety) in my kitchen and I have decided this year to keep four reminders on it to help me out.
Wanna hear 'em? Well of course you do, that's why you're here isn't it?
Ok, so my four reminders of sanity are...
You know the ones, where there's a quaint little town and the main character (usually a woman) is trying to get away from or back to it because her life is falling apart? Then she meets the love of her life, but doesn't know it, and then things keep happening, forcing them to be together. There's just the right amount of stress, usually a really cute kid, holiday shopping, family time and then they end up together and all is happy, happy, happy!
Yeah! That doesn't happen!
They're lovely to watch. I watch them as often as I can. The Reality is, they are not, reality that is.
So where does that leave those of us who aren't on those holiday movies?
The hustle. The bustle. Cyber Monday emails, ads, flyers. The shopping. The baking. The tree. The lights. The wrapping. The cooking. The going here. The driving there. The in-laws. The stress. The stress. Oh! Did I mention the stress?
What?! Shopping starts early this year? Have all the holidays merged into one and I wasn't told? Why is there Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas stuff all within ONE aisle of each other!!?
What time do we need to be there? How are we going to be over there when we have to be over here at the same time?
Have you seen the kids' list this year? Why are the toys so expensive? How are we going to pay for all of the 'big' kid toys this year? Didn't we buy them that game last year? How many batteries is that going to take? What do you mean your mother wants us to host this year?
What happened to the boxes being more fun than what was inside?
Do. You. See. This. I have another gray hair?!
So, I'll ask again; where do the holidays leave those of us who are not in the movies?
Typically... Stressed!
What to do, what to do
It's obvious, isn't it?
We all just need to de-stress!
Just!? Oh yes, just de-stress!
Sounds easy, doesn't it? NOT!!!
I don't know about you, but I always feel so much pressure
Or
Is it that I put so much pressure on myself when it comes to the holidays.
I want that 'perfect' holiday. The right food, the right cleanliness, the right gifts, everyone getting along, smiles, laughter, family games, a fire, snow (because I have control over that, right?)
I can let it get so out of control if I don't stop and remember, I AM HUMAN not God (thanks God)!!
I have a board (of the wipe-off variety) in my kitchen and I have decided this year to keep four reminders on it to help me out.
Wanna hear 'em? Well of course you do, that's why you're here isn't it?
Ok, so my four reminders of sanity are...
I can only control ME
I cannot control the psychos out there, pushing, shoving, & being all Scrooge-is, but I can control ME and my reaction to them
I can only do what is within MY power to do and give
I cannot buy or give more than is financially sound for my family, but I can give gifts from the heart, such as time or home-made gifts in order to stay within my means.
I can only be who I am
I cannot keep up with the Jones and what they are doing for the holidays or giving to their friends and family. I can be who I am and do what I am able to do
I can only have one purpose
I cannot forget the true meaning of this time, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, whose purpose is to be in a personal relationship with me so I can share His love with those around me
I cannot control the psychos out there, pushing, shoving, & being all Scrooge-is, but I can control ME and my reaction to them
I can only do what is within MY power to do and give
I cannot buy or give more than is financially sound for my family, but I can give gifts from the heart, such as time or home-made gifts in order to stay within my means.
I can only be who I am
I cannot keep up with the Jones and what they are doing for the holidays or giving to their friends and family. I can be who I am and do what I am able to do
I can only have one purpose
I cannot forget the true meaning of this time, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, whose purpose is to be in a personal relationship with me so I can share His love with those around me
What do you do to de-stress
When the hustle and bustle of the holidays gets to you?
When the hustle and bustle of the holidays gets to you?
Learning to Walk (and blog) by Faith,