The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

"It's the most wonderful time of the year".  Inevitably at some point each December, I will be in a shop or public place when this song starts to play in the background.  And as the song plays on I take a look around me at the faces of the people nearby.  Oftentimes not many seem to be in agreement with this sentiment.  

No matter what we decide about dialing back our holiday engagements, spending or indulging, it seems like each year we arrive in the same place feeling the same way -- overextended; stressed; anxious.  In a nutshell, just looking forward to it being over.  Why does this happen year after year and is there something that we can do to flip the script?

With all that has transpired through COVID and the "locked-down" holidays of the past two years, it does feel like there is a desire to make up for lost time.  To jam-pack our schedules with as much socializing as possible in an effort to take back what COVID took from us.  To have the merriest and jolliest holiday season ever.  And while seeing friends and loved ones is a real gift on any day and at any time of year, there does seem to be an extra sparkle to it when paired with twinkling lights and snow.  The truth of the matter is that we can't make up for the time we may feel we lost, no matter how many meet ups and brunches we schedule.  We can't buy it back, eat it back or drink it back, despite our best efforts.  I feel that it is the attempt to recreate a magical holiday that causes so much of the seasonal stress being faced.

I had a friend give me an incredibly kind gift this year - she sent me a note and said that our friendship was a gift and that was all she needed.  No gift exchange, no pressure to be or do anything more than the friend that I already am.  I in turn passed along that same sentiment to friends of mine, as it really felt like a way to get back to what the holidays mean at the core.  Putting the focus back on the importance of community and kindness, on taking care of one another and on being there for each other. 

Wishing you and your loved ones a holiday season filled with moments of loving kindness, reflection and rejuvenation.


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