Advent now is my favorite season, but it wasn’t always that way.
I used to rush about, making an exhaustive gift-giving list, putting out every decoration we owned, and thinking I needed to bake and go and do and ….. whew.
If only that baby would just get here.
Two years ago, I sat at home with a broken toe and sprained ankle, watching as others put up our tree, fluffed our wreaths, and brought us food. Those were such gifts to me, and that was the Christmas that I finally gave up on doing it all, and on doing it perfectly.
What is perfect, anyway, apart from that baby?
This year, I’m even more intentionally trying to slow down and honor this season of waiting and expectant preparation. Next week may bring panic (and if it does I will breathe and pray through it), but at the moment I’m peace-filled.
Are you just trying to do the hustle and get by this holiday season? Is this the season of frantic? Chaotic? Busy?
Is this the month you push aside your needs and sacrifice your health for the good of everyone else? The month you look ahead to January and say, “I’ll start (insert healthy behavior) then.”
If so, can we change the script?
What if instead of letting the crazy-busy, chaotic season sweep us away until January, we make some intentional choices? What if we say because of this crazy-busy, chaotic season, I will take care of me.
Because of this season, I will eat a few more vegetables, keep up with my supplements, drink plenty of water, and not have that extra glass of wine.
Because of this season, I will set my favorite shows to record on the DVR to help me get enough sleep.
Because of this season, I will get up 15 minutes earlier so I can have some quiet time and focus myself.
Because of this season, in which I celebrate the gift of a baby born to us all, I will give myself a gift – taking care of me first, so I can take better care of others.
What can you focus on this week to change your script in this season of joy and love and light?
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