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Is it just me, or does it seem like the holidays have arrived early this year? It feels like it shouldn’t even be Halloween yet. Probably because Halloween came and went without even a carved jack-o-lantern or toasted pumpkin seed in our household (Awww, man, and I love toasted pumpkin seeds…). Halloween was preempted by deadlines and obligation. There was just no time. Missing that, we held on tight and careened into November, which is birthday season in our family; then the birthdays gave way to Thanksgiving. Now, here we are sprinting toward the end of 2009.
I realized the other day, I need to slow down and smell the Christmas cookies. Actually, I need to make time to bake some. I need to make time to enjoy my family and the meaning of the season before it’s over and we’re halfway through another new year.
It’s time to take a deep breath and live in the moment.
I’m reading a great book called Ten Zen Seconds by Eric Maisel. Chapter nine, Embracing The Moment, really spoke to me. It’s about the difference between “passing the time” (or in my case, racing through it) and “being present.” Living in the moment. It’s really given me pause and made me think.
How is it that we get so busy that we don’t have time to enjoy life? We get so caught up in planning and scheduling and racing from one thing to the next that we neglect to live. Events that are supposed to be fun and memorable become burdens or worse yet, they slip by because we don’t have time or we we’re present in body, but not in spirit as our mind wanders, planning what’s next .
The commitments and obligations won’t evaporate – and the truth is, we probably don’t want most of them to go away. I’m very blessed to be a wife and mother (my family is my top priority); I’m on deadline (thank goodness for book contracts!); I’m way over committed in the volunteer arena (I can’t imagine giving any of it up); I’ve barely made a dent in my Christmas list (probably good for the budget – but gifts will find their way under the tree); my parents are arriving for the holidays in less than a week (one of the events I’m anticipating most– who knows how many more Christmases we’ll share. I don’t want to take for granted a single moment with them). Oh, and remember that gingerbread house I blogged about on December 1? Yeah, that one. 
Well, December’s not over yet…
So, here’s the question: What’s your best tip for living in the spirit of the season? How do you keep up with family, friends, work, housework, decorating and all those holiday concerts, pageants, and parties and keep your sanity?
”An Angel in Provence” by Nancy Robards Thompson
Filed in: Jaunty Post
Dec 10th
2009
8:51 am
Margo Maguire Said:
One thing that’s a huge time suck is baking. And it ends up being a solo function – ME in the kitchen, listening to Christmas music on my iPod. Everybody else is out catching up on shopping or whatever… This year, I’m going to limit the baking and concentrate on doing fun things.
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Dec 10th
2009
9:36 am
Catherine Kean Said:
What a thoughtful post, Nancy, and one that’s so timely in this hectic holiday season. I adore this time of year and am totally in agreement with you on “living in the spirit of the season.” To keep a handle on my crazy scehdule, I try to do a little bit of everything that I feel needs doing each day: for example, cleaning one bathroom; doing a couple of loads of laundry; writing 500 words on my latest book; spending time with my husband and daughter; buying one gift (usually via the internet, so I don’t have to face the crowds at the mall). It’s not the perfect solution, but it works for me.
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Dec 10th
2009
9:46 am
Emily McKay Said:
Oh, Nancy, I *so* know what you mean!
(And I’ve been very interested in reading that book.)
As for what I’m trying to do to slow down the season … baking with my kids. You can’t rush through it when little ones want to scrap the cup of flour or roll out the gingerbread. You’ve got to be and be messing. I’m trying really hard this year to remember that probably no one will remember if the cookies taste perfect, but they will remember if they had fun or not.
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Dec 10th
2009
9:54 am
hollygee Said:
You might enjoy this book too: http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Sacred-Womans-Journey-Home/dp/0062512900/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1
I found that it helps me slow down, see, and appreciate what is happening in our lives right now.
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Dec 10th
2009
9:59 am
RobynDeHart Said:
Thank you, Nancy, for the great post. You don’t know how I needed that today. My to-do list was beginning to feel giant and scary and overwhelming. But I loved how you turned it around. Deadlines, yes, I am thankful for tight deadlines because it means I have a current contract.
I’m with Margo, normally I spend an enormous amount of time baking and this year I’m just not going to do as much. Partly because all my cookie supplies are in storage, but also because I have other things to do and it sort of defeats the purpose of baking if it just causes stress. In previous years when my list has gotten too big, I’ve bypassed Christmas cards and just by letting that go, it’s cut my stress in half. And I don’t think people have minded one less card to sift through.
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Dec 10th
2009
10:28 am
Shana Said:
Great post, Nancy. I cut back on some things I usually do and that helps me enjoy the things I do do even more.
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Dec 10th
2009
11:42 am
kristan higgins Said:
Loved the reminder, Nancy! Here’s my sappy-sweet and utterly effective device to make you remember what’s important: Look into your kid’s eyes, smile and say, “I love you, honey.” Works every time! Works on the husband, too! And the dog! The cat…not so much, but still.
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Dec 10th
2009
12:21 pm
Nancy Robards Thompson Said:
Margo, you’re right! Why do things that are supposed to be fun if they’re not! Good for you for being able to make that call.
Catherine, you are one of the most disciplined, constant people I know. You’re such an inspiration, and you’re right – if you tackle tasks incrementally you stand less of a chance at feeling as if you’re at the bottom of a mountain that you have to scale in one swift motion.
Awww, Emily, I remember those days. Seems like it was just yesterday and now my daughter is much too busy to help with making the cookies. Though, I may be able to interest her in helping with the gingerbread house once she’s on vacation. Some of my favorite family photos of Christmases past are of her with flour and icing all over her. Precious moments.
Hollygee, after I post this, I’m on my way to order some books on line to give as Christmas presents. “Everyday Sacred” is going to be my present to myself. Thanks so much for the recommendation. It sounds WONDERFUL!
Robyn, Christmas cards have fallen by the wayside for me, too. As Margo said about the baking, it was one of those obligations I simply was not enjoying. I will, however, send out a newsy New Year’s letter, with hopes that friends and family will have more time to sit and read it.
Shana, this is going to be a special Christmas for you with your new little one. I hope it’s the best ever.
Kristan, isn’t that the truth! No better way to reconnect with what really matters than to find it in the eyes of the ones you love. Actually, now that my cat is old and mellow, it works with her, too. The dog, daughter and dear husband use that magic on me daily.
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Dec 10th
2009
12:56 pm
catslady Said:
Great post. It’s so easy to get caught up in the wrong parts of Christmas. I start stressing in October. My grown kids are trying to teach me lol. I’ve always gone way overboard on holidays (the opposite of course of how I grew up) and I just can’t and I’m the disappointed one because I want to do so much. So truly I’m trying to do a little less (baking for one) and spend less (a lot harder).
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Dec 10th
2009
1:15 pm
Carollynn Said:
Remember when we were in high school and it felt like we had all the time in the world? And each and every little thing that happened in our day was monumental and should be obsessed over? Oh, to be in high school again.
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Dec 10th
2009
1:46 pm
Nancy Robards Thompson Said:
Catslady, I know it’s hard to cut back when you’re a giving soul, but stay strong and think about how good it’ll feel to be fiscally healthy come 2010. Just yesterday, I read something about Brad Pit talking about his holiday traditions and he said that his family has always made each other gifts. They took special care to make something that took time. So the recipient knew it came from the heart. I think that’s a wonderful idea! Perhaps it’s something you could do in lieu of spending? Whatever you decide, I wish you and yours a very happy holiday!
Oh, Carol!! It’s so good to “see” you here. I was just thinking of you the other day. I’ll never forget the good times we had way back when. You’re right – Oh, to relive those days… Hope you’re doing well. Let’s catch up, okay?
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