T he Holidays

 The end of each year seems so crowded and busy, given the holidays and all that goes with them, time off from school for the kids, the change in the calendar, and the sometimes difficult navigation of the weather.  The holidays are a time of travel, planning and attending get-togethers with friends and relatives, special services at churches, light shows in parks and other venues, cooking and meal-planning, gift-buying, end-of-semester testing at schools, and for some, graduation.

The holiday season begins before Thanksgiving and ends following New Year’s Day.  Thanksgiving and Christmas travel are two of the busiest times for travel in the year.  Many stores and businesses rely on holiday purchasing to push their bottom line over to the positive side.  Churches and other groups put on special events and shows, relying a lot on volunteer help.  Non profits ask for help providing food, gifts, and other necessities for those who are in need.  Even blood banks put out special pleas for blood donations because this time of the year is one of the slower times for that.

There is a down side to all of this.  If we’re not careful, we’ll get so wound up in the things and events of the season that we forget to care for ourselves.  We don’t plan for any down time.  We’re always working toward the next event, program, or thing to do.  And when it’s all done and January 2^nd comes around, we look back and wonder just what it was that we accomplished, or at least tried to accomplish.  The January/February doldrums hit at about that time, and we feel deflated, tired, and out of sorts.

Adding to all of that is the reality of another year on the calendar.  That means that we’re a year older.  It means that the months and years seem to be flying by ever more quickly.  We look back and wonder what happened, because the last we seem to recall, we were years younger and using a telephone with a dial on it that was hanging on the wall of our house.  We had to get up to change the channel on the TV, and sometimes open the little trap door and adjust the vertical hold.  We marvel that anyone younger than about 25 years old has little to no comprehension of 9-11…that anyone younger than about 35 doesn’t recall a time without cell phones or the Internet, anyone younger than about 45 doesn’t remember the Iranian hostages, anyone younger than about 55 doesn’t know about Watergate, and anyone younger than about 65 doesn’t recall Sputnik.

This year as you are going through the holidays, take some time for yourself.  You have permission to say, “No, thank you,” if you are asked to do something or attend something you really don’t have the time for.  You don’t have to have the best decorations in the neighborhood.  Your home doesn’t have to be spotless.  Your relatives out to third cousins once removed don’t all have to have a gift.  And it will be fine to buy some Rhodes frozen cinnamon rolls rather than making your own.

One more thing.  Keep in mind that there are some who aren’t in the holiday celebration mood.  Maybe they recently lost a loved one, or perhaps the holidays are also the anniversary of the loss of a loved one.  Some may be going through a tough relational situation with a spouse or someone else.  Some may not yet be working or have the wherewithal to go, buy, and do.  Some may be in the throes of depression or anxiety.  Some may have kids who are going off the deep end in some way.  Some may be battling chronic pain or illness.  Some may have a son, daughter, spouse or significant other in harm’s way in the military service.  There are a myriad of ailments, illnesses, trials and troubles in the world today.  Be thoughtful.  Be kind.  Be understanding.  Be patient.  Get the spotlight off of yourself.  Care about and for others.  Make your care tangible by doing for others.  Even a little goes a long way.

Above all, remember (as the old phrase goes) the reason for the season.  This should be a time of Thanksgiving…a time when we remember the blessings, both physical and spiritual, that come our way.  A time when we in turn serve and help others by using those gifts we have been given.  We pay it forward when we use our gifts, talents, and abilities in service to others.  And those small acts of kindness tend to keep on giving long after we did what we did for someone else.

May your holiday season be one of wonder, beauty, and light.  Blessings…