Advent.

Christmas.

New Years.

Holiday craziness.

Decorations.

Cookie baking.

Fancy gift wrapping.

Shopping.

Cleaning.

Party going.

Christmas card sending…

The list goes on an on, and there are always more ‘good’ things waiting to add to our lists this time of year.  Or ideas that someone else is doing that we’d love to try, or… well, the ideas go on and on, right?

This year, I’m determined to embrace the Peace and spirit of the season over the stress and pressure of getting everything done.

Originally I thought I’d accomplish this by being ‘wrapped and done by December 1′… but since it’s December 13th, and we’ve just barely got our trees up, undecorated still, I’m letting go of that idea.  I am however, determined to keep embracing the Peace and Spirit of Christmas…

I think I’ve found the secret.  I’m passing it on to you, sharing it as a blessing and a gift in the hopes that your season will be filled with peace as well:

Give yourself permission to do less so you can enjoy more.

To edit your list, and let some things go, or at least wait until next year.

Here’s an example from my own life:  Our trees are just now up.  I like to put them up the weekend after Thanksgiving, but it didn’t happen this year, for good reason.  We have tubs and tubs of decorations for the mantle, for the windows in the gameroom, for the boys room, etc. This year, I’m giving myself permission to only pull out some of those.  Will anyone notice the stuff that still in tubs for another year?  Doubtful.  Will I notice the time saved and spent with my family, and the missing stress, frustration, and bitterness that always ends a day of decorating with ‘help’ but mostly by myself as the only female in the house?  Absolutely.   And my family will benefit too.  Just in a different way.   I’m doing less so I can enjoy more.

I hereby give my permission for ________________ (insert your name here) to say NO, to do less  of her overwhelming list of Christmas To-Do’s, and to ask for help when needed, so she can embrace the spirit of peace and actually  ENJOY the season without being so stressed that she’s relieved when it’s all over.

See?  I just did it again.   I’d really love for that permission slip to be a cute little printable graphic you could print and put up on your fridge.  But I’m sticking with my do less to enjoy more mantra.  I hope you’ll join me.

May you be filled with peace and the spirit of the season.

Something to think about…