THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS
Spoiler alert: it doesn’t exist and that’s okay.
One of the hardest things for me to learn, as an adult, is that: (1) I veered towards perfectionism and (2) that was not a good thing. I can’t tell you how many thank-you notes I have thrown away because I thought my penmanship wasn’t good enough or I wrote something wrong. And then the note was tragically late all because I wanted it to be just right. I used to do this all the time.
Christmas, like everything else, can take on that quality. But, Christmas is like a tiny wedding and it can be intense. I have learned that, sometimes, it is fine to prioritize the journey and not the destination. I started the month of nice and strong ready to throw myself into Blogmas. But, the 2nd and 3rd posts failed to post. Is it all “ruined?” Nope. They are up now. It’s okay.
Half of my Christmas lights don’t work. On my pre-lit Christmas tree. I broke three ornaments putting them on the tree this year. I’m not talking about replaceable glass ones being broken, keepsake ornaments. I cannot find my Advent wreath from when we moved and so I missed lighting the first candle. I am no where near where I usually am with Christmas shopping. It is all okay.
I bought another strand of lights for the tree and it looks great. I will glue the ornaments back together and they will remind me that I moved this year. I can replace the advent wreath or I can just use something around my house.
What is important to me is that I stay present and try to enjoy all the moments that the season gives us. There are two times that living in Chicago is well and truly magical. One is in the Spring after a hard winter. In the Spring, tulips arrive and people are so happy and relieved that winter is over that everyone is a little bit nicer. The other is now. The city puts a magnificent effort into decorating and so do the people. The holiday train and bus roam the city. Chanukah is huge in Chicago and this van drives around reminding us which night it is and which candle to light. It is not to be missed.
There are little reminders everywhere and no one (of value) is focused on your mistakes this season.
Tell me, please! How do you stay present during the Holidays?
Silver Button Books 
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