Ed. note: How sad it is that the simple celebration of thankfulness and the birth of our Savior have been transformed into a time of frantic expectations. Gayle Hilligoss provides some great advice on how to restore peace to the celebration of the Prince of Peace.
The comparison hit home with several office professionals enjoying a fall luncheon. “During the holidays I feel like I’m trapped in a snow globe of to-do lists,” remarked a longtime administrative assistant. Her table mates nodded. Each one knew well the sensation of having scores of demands swirling about her.
Conversation turned to ways they might weather the storm better this year. All agreed trimming tasks would be a challenge, but could be done. Some said they had already made strides toward maintaining saner holiday schedules and were anxious to explore even more ideas.
"To me, attitude is the key,” offered a pastor’s assistant who shared her positive experiences over the past few years. “I had to get over the idea holidays should be all hurry-scurry. What I discovered was that real blessings of the season are missed when every minute is packed with activities—even if they are good activities.”
Another reformed over-achiever noted, “The best thing I did was to take control of my personal agenda. When I quit trying to bake every cookie, make every decoration, and maintain every family tradition, I found the time and energy to actually focus on the reason for the season.”
• Make two lists of goals, one for work and one for home.
It may seem like a paradox, but making these two important lists now prevents the need to make lots of trivial lists later. Decide what you want to achieve during the vital weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. About each task ask, “Is this worth my time and effort? and “Is there an easier way to do this?” Be selective; list only those activities and achievements that truly matter to you. Fun is important. Schedule some!
• Trim your calendar.
Pitch all but what really counts toward a meaningful holiday experience. Save optional jobs and appointments for another time. (I routinely schedule annual checkups for October to have that all done before holiday time; when Halloween candy hits the shelves, I hit my appointment book.) Avoid taking on projects and plans that steer you away from your stated holiday goals. Don’t waste any of this special time doing what can be done later—or not at all.
• Protect your personal time.
All year around, and especially during the holidays, give yourself daily or at least weekly private time to relax and refresh. Do what you like—walk, exercise, read, take a class, enjoy a hobby. Or do nothing at all. But, do keep this appointment with yourself.
• Forget about being a perfectionist.
Nothing paralyzes accomplishment, saps joy from achievement, and undermines good intentions like the irrational drive to be perfect. It is vital to know when to say, “This is good. Time to move on.”
• Be realistic in your expectations.
Memories, not to mention a plethora of magazines, can create an unreasonable scenario of what the holidays should be. The church offers many opportunities to celebrate Christ’s birth, the community presents scores of ways to share with others. No time of year has more to live up to. Stay grounded. Kids will still be kids. People can still be inconsiderate. Time and energy constraints hang on. Problems won’t solve themselves. The computer can still crash. Life goes on.
Nevertheless, expect blessings. They are there to be claimed. Enjoy!
