No tags yet.
Christmas is the most joyful, yet often times the most stressful time of the year. There is a lot to celebrate, but also a lot to prepare. It is trying to finish strong on finals and find the perfect gifts for everyone, while also patiently anticipating the celebration of the birth of our Savior. Honestly, life can feel pretty rushed during this time of year. I don’t know about you, but I am trying to fit in all of the Christmas essentials, like Hallmark movies and Christmas lights, while still accomplishing all of my other responsibilities. It actually stresses me out that I haven’t seen many Hallmark Christmas movies this December, but that is a whole other story. This one is about slowing down, and changing perspective to appreciate everything around you.
Whatever it may be dragging down your holiday spirit this year, we all have something. It may be a small, nagging thing in the back of our mind, or something larger keeping us from enjoying everything the month of December has to offer. For me, it is a Christmas in College Station (kind of). For work out purposes, what would be almost a month and a half at home in Melissa is now a short two weeks. If anyone has talked to me in the last couple of weeks, I have probably already mildly complained about it; being alone in a college town with nothing to do besides run and lift during the holidays is not exactly ideal. However, if there is one thing this long rehab process has taught me, it is sometimes we have to do things we really do not want to do. Even during Christmas. How rude, right? Cue the slowing down and changing perspective.
As I sit here writing with Mariah Carey Christmas music playing and my ‘Tis the Season candle burning bright, the joys of Christmas are far too great to be held back by anything. There are far too many songs, candles, cheesy movies, cozy socks, and Pinterest recipes for Christmas desserts to be held back by any sort of negative or stressful vibes. Not to mention the single reason for the season as a whole; the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Let go of the bad vibes; give your worries to Him, and appreciate everything He has given you. Go find the best Christmas lights around you and let them light up your Christmas season. Watch Elf for the 1000th time with your best friend. Bring some festivity into your office or finals studying with snowman pencils. ‘Tis the season for giving and celebration, not stress and worries.
Now, I am not going to pretend like this is the easiest thing in the world. No doubt it is easier said than done, and while there are certain things you can do to proactively change your perspective, sometimes it just takes a little of slowing down. Look around you. The community and family surrounding you that you get to celebrate with. The perfect gift you bought for someone that you just know they are going to love. Even as simple as the candy cane the bank gives you when you leave the building. There are times when are able to make our own joy, and times when we just need to slow down and see the joy that is already present. While these things are true year-round, the need for slowing down and changing your perspective to appreciate even the tiniest joys in life, I encourage you to really put it into practice during this holiday season. I may be bias, for Christmas is my favorite holiday and December my favorite month, but intentionally find the joy. Happy Holidays!
Optimistic thought of the day: Peppermint Hot Chocolate. If you haven’t tried it, today is the day. That is all.