Let’s be honest, 2020 has been hard and somewhat crazy. There was nothing normal about this year. We were placed in a different element and restricted on where we could go. It’s hard to pinpoint great memories that occurred during the year. Yeah, sure, I got to do a little bit of traveling but I cancelled more trips than I was able to go on. We are now wrapping up the year and at the head of the holiday season. In the past, the holidays meant spending time with a lot of family and hanging out with friends. December was spent shopping in stores with crowds of people, going out to eat and seeing the Christmas lights around town, and strolling through Christmas bizares. Again, it feels like this holiday season is going to be just as disappointing as the previous 9 months have been. I really want to feel that magical Christmas spirit but not quite sure if it will be the same as past years. As I write this blog, I am listening to instrumental Christmas music to help inspire me. It may be working a little, but it kind of feels like I’m grasping for some type of inspiration. Now what? How do I make sure I end the year the best way possible with still taking precaution to be safe and healthy?
Tis the season to be grateful, right? Yes, of course! Thanksgiving is a reminder to take a step back, look at the big picture of our life, and see the great things in your life. As my mind goes from one end of the spectrum of being reminded how crappy this year has been to being in a ’tis the season’ joyous mood, it’s a struggle to focus on what really brings me true joy. I definitely am happy when I am out and about, doing what I traditionally do during this season, but maybe there is a way to still have a great holiday season in a different way.
COVID brought on a powerful shift. I think most of us experienced this shift, but realize that there are others who have no idea what I am talking about. COVID kept us down, it kept us present, in the moment. There were days when we couldn’t ‘be’ or ‘do’ something else. We were forced to just ‘be’ with ourself, with nothing to do. How did you do with that? For me, it was a little nice for a while. It was a nice break from the daily grind…for a while. But then I started to get a little stir crazy and said to myself “okay, that was great, now I am ready to get back to normal life”. Unfortunately, “normal” hasn’t found me yet. I still have times when I am stopped, restricted, and not able to go where I want to go. So I am forced to stop and just ‘be in the moment’, with nothing else to do.
Maybe this holiday season will be more moments of “just being” instead of “doing”. Maybe that is exactly what we need! Maybe that is what will bring about true joy! This holiday season is going to be different, but different is not necessarily bad, right? Different doesn’t always feel right, but it can lead to good things. So this holiday season I am going to learn to appreciate the time I have to ‘just be’ and ‘not do’. It actually might be nice to have a Christmas void of the hustle and bustle of things to do. If all people had more time to ‘just be’ and think about those essential things that bring them true joy, I wonder how the world would change? I guess there is only one way to find out.
Have a wonderful, thoughtful Thanksgiving, and a very Merry Holiday Season. May you have time…to just ‘be’ with yourself and ponder the amazing life that you have.