It's more of an instruction to myself than a blog title.
Everyone has a LOT going on at this time of year already - and now we're making up for lost time too! It was our first trip back to the children's museum since the pandemic. I traveled back in time to the dinosaur age.
There was a whole bunch of family fun - and the coordinating fuss that goes along with a busy weekend of trying to do too much in too little time.
I thought about it on my run. I appreciate that quiet time. Usually, that quiet time is when good ideas come. It's when peace comes. It's not easy to make that time, but life is harder if you don't.
Here's wishing you some beautiful moments of quiet and peace this holiday season.
I saw a post from a mom who was seeking advice on how she might explain to her kids that the Christmas gifts would be a little light this year. It got me thinking...
There are a few standout moments from years past for me. One Christmas, when I was a child, two relatives took me aside and explained that they didn't have much money that year and could only afford a very small gift. I'm not certain I was expecting anything from them because I remember being excited that I was getting a gift at all. They proceeded to hand me a plastic cup filled with chocolate. I wondered what on earth they had been talking about because I thought that was the best present ever! I couldn't tell you anything else I received that year, or even the surrounding years, but I never forgot that awesome cup of chocolates.
One year, a friend told me about her holiday and I never forgot it. She and her roommate had absolutely no money to purchase gifts. Instead, they went around their apartment finding things and wrapping them. The kicker was that they each received things that they already owned. Imagine unwrapping a gift from your roommate to find your own hairbrush, or pair of socks! They had a blast and laughed their butts off! It also held up a mirror to all the wonderful things they already had to be grateful for.
There are so many beautiful holiday memories, but the most precious are always about the time together, the laughter, the love. This year, several people I normally exchange gifts with expressed their desire for me to make a donation in their name instead. It makes perfect sense. I can't remember a time when there was a greater need, and at this moment one dollar provides "at least 10 meals to families in need..." through Feeding America (link above).
Haven't we complained how we overdo it on gifts and lose sight of the Spirit of the holidays, or the true meaning of Christmas? We can get really creative about how we teach our children this year and make a big difference at the same time.
Graceful I was not. I sprawled out on the curb of W 65th and Broadway almost smacking my chin on the pavement. I hobbled into the theater at Lincoln Center shivering uncontrollably, bleeding, holding back tears, and picking gravel and rock salt out of my coat and my hand. Thanks to the kindness and calming spirit of a most wonderful man who worked there (and who called for first aid), I slowly thawed, got bandaged up and regained my composure. #theglamorouslife
But then there was this:
Congratulations to Nile Rodgers, Russell, and The Chic Organization for their musical contributions to the the new Cats film!
Suddenly, it was a whirlwind of winter wonderland (try saying THAT three times fast).
Now (hopefully) we can settle into a nice cozy holiday.
Here's wishing us all a warm and beautiful holiday filled with Love and the Magic of Christmas.
Regardless of your spiritual practice, cultural tradition, or religious belief...
Here's to celebrating a day when a story is told about The Divine incarnating here on Earth, to symbolize the Divine in all of Us, uniting Us all as Family and inspiring Us to respect and cherish each other as such.
Merry Christmas! Blessings for a joyous New Year, that We might be refreshed in that Spirit.
This is it - Holidays 2017. We are in the thick of it. My plans have radically changed from what they were one week ago and I am TRYING to go with the flow and stay on the positive side of things. Am I ready for Christmas? No. Am I ready for Chanukah (seven days in already)? No. I just finally managed to get the house clean and that was only because I had help. Struggling, I Googled how to de-stress during the holidays:
Remember to be jolly.
What kind of crap is that? The ridiculousness continued...
Don't be frazzled.
Create a calm work environment.
Who writes this sh... um, stuff? HOW are you supposed to do that in the middle of a holiday meltdown??? Can we get some serious help somewhere?
Plan ahead.
IT'S A LITTLE TOO LATE FOR THAT, ISN'T IT?
LOL.
(OMG The baby's awake - again. I swear that kid doesn't sleep. Hang on.) Oh! That was another one!
Get more rest.
WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU PEOPLE?
OK. See what happened there? I was starting to laugh before I got interrupted. In our house - we laugh. We have to. It's what keeps us from killing each other. #youthinkimjoking
Ha! Seriously though, the stress is piling up on me and so I'm trying to remember a few things. Things like: don't drink in isolation, talk to someone (you'll feel better - you will - talk to someone supportive), understand that plans are going to change, get in the "now" moment (there's usually nothing to freak out about there), remember that this too shall pass (it's all going to be fine and nothing is the end of the world), help someone else in need (this is always a good idea), CHECK IN ON OTHERS (this is a lonely time for some - check in on elderly neighbors and anyone you can think of who might appreciate a friendly smile - it might go a long way), and when things go haywire, laugh it off!
If you need serious help, find it. Seek it out. The fluffy stuff isn't for everybody. Anything you don't agree with can be tossed out easily enough. :)
I may do this every year. This list is a work in progress. Time is short (isn't everyone's?) and we have a lot of stuff to do. I have my own thoughts and a very limited amount of time to research, so this is it for this year. There's no shortage of information online though. There are holiday survival guides for every aspect of life, so if there's something specific you're looking for (one dish meals, pet safety, beauty, house cleaning, etc.) you can do a search. As for this list, I've just taken some time out to remind myself about the things that might be helpful as I try to improve this holiday game a little bit each time around.
Started this blog in the store parking lot. Let the shopping begin!
1. Breathe.
Seems simple enough, but I slept in today. I had to. I didn't make it to the gym. I didn't get everything done that I wanted to. I'm not going to feel guilty about that. I needed sleep - end of story. I'm going to approach the season with that mindset. Everything will not get done. That's ok.
2. Get a game plan.
This is no time to wander about aimlessly. I need a list of things to do in order to make the most efficient use of time.
3. Be prepared to abandon the plan.
Life happens. Expect the unexpected and go with the flow. Precious moments can pass us by if we're not prepared to stop and take it all in. Zach said "baby" today. If I was too wrapped up in a plan of accomplishment and not paying attention, I might have missed it. It might not have happened at all if we hadn't taken the opportunity to FaceTime with Mimi (who taught him to say it).
Gotta take a break. He wants me to read him a book.
4. Remain guilt free.
I am going to miss some stuff. I can't be everywhere at all times. There's no room for second guessing and feeling bad about anything. Make a decision and stick with it - or don't - but either way DO NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT. Nobody and nothing is perfect. Enjoy the ride.
5. Be kind.
This seems obvious but today in the store parking lot, a man stopped me as I was driving past. He indicated to me that he was about to pull away and I could take his spot. How nice was that!!! Kindness goes a long way. Let's be a part of the holiday joy and spread the love by being kind to each other. We're all in the same boat here. Let's smile.
6. It doesn't have to be expensive.
One of my favorite go-to stories about this is a childhood memory. An Aunt and Uncle had to "talk" to me. It sounded serious. They explained that money was tight that year and they couldn't afford to get me much. "This is all we could get you..." They proceeded to hand me a plastic cup filled with chocolates. I remember thinking, "WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT? THIS IS THE BEST GIFT EVER!" I never forgot that. People on your list appreciate you thinking of them. The gift doesn't have to be extravagant.
7. Wear a cross body bag.
This is no time to fool around. Everything has to be hands free. C'mon, get serious. Being preoccupied with looking cute will not do. (Wearing heels is OUT OF THE QUESTION. I just don't understand that at all.) That being said, put on a little lip gloss. I feel more confident and am more likely to make friendly connections with people when I feel at least a little bit put together. But can we NOT wear pajamas to the mall please? I mean, let's not get carried away. Strike a balance.
8. Drink water.
Hydration is a must - it ranks right up there with eating and getting enough sleep. This is a marathon. Start drinking enough water. As an added benefit, it may make you feel less hungry and less likely to pig out on unhealthy, desperate snack-age. Also, we'll need to drink plenty of water with any headache medication we may need to take - lol. Seriously though, it doesn't matter if we need to take extra time to find a restroom. Just do it. Drink the water.
9. Don't over-complicate anything.
I'm always trying to do something extra and add on other tasks. Do something, then check it off the list. Done. Keep it moving and steady as she goes.
10. Enjoy the ride.
I know I already said it, but it's an important one. Laugh at any and every chance. Spread the smiles. 'Tis the season - enjoy. If I feel the stress coming on and things get frantic... I'll try to let it go. Let's just be happy. Amen.
The grocery store check out clerk seemed tired and on auto-pilot. When Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer came on, I exclaimed, "Rudolph! Here we go!" as I loaded my items onto the conveyor belt. He smiled and continued smiling until I was rolling away and the lady behind me stepped up to the pin pad.
OK. That's all I got. The kid just fell asleep. That means I have to also. xo
