It’s all good. Every wonderfully imperfect moment.

Do you know the secret to a beautiful, laughter-filled Christmas?

Here it is. But don’t be shocked because it really does work. I’m learning how to do this.

Breathe. And let it go.

All of your well-intentioned visions for a “perfect” stress-free Christmas morning?  Let it go. Your hopes for a beautifully timed, perfectly cooked prime-rib? Let it go.

A spill-free designer-looking tablescape that stays perfect long enough so you can get your photo? Let it go.

Fascinating conversations with well-rested guests and appreciative kids who are dressed in the Christmas outfits you lovingly selected?

Let it go.

Instead, trade it for real life. Take a big breath and look around and be utterly amazed at what’s right in front of you. Because when you’re caught up trying to make that festive, warm-tingling experience happen?

You’re not really present.

So embrace that impromptu conversation that happens with your teenager. Your neighbor. Your husband. Right when you’re in the middle of something you’re trying-to-get-done.  Stop. Listen. Rejoice in the sharing.

Because in the end, all we have is THIS moment. This one right here. Which is pretty amazing if you think about it. Because this moment offers us the chance to choose our own happiness. To open our eyes and really see things as they are.

This moment offers us the exhilarating power to be grateful for all those tiny, simple Christmas blessings right in front of us

…the blessings that come alongside the kitchen sink messes that make me crazy. The sticky counters and dirty dishes that represent the abundance of food.

And that signify that someone has a full, happy stomach.

…the blessings that come along with the long, stressful shopping lines. The lines that take forever to move and remind us of the precious passing of Time. The crowded lines that thankfully slow us down enough to see that real people are waiting on us and that they have families at home, probably waiting for them. And that we have the blessing of not being at work while they are…working.

And that’s the moment we can choose to appreciate where we are and to even spread kindness in the world by caring about the other person. Asking how they’re holding up in these crazy crowds.

…and yes, even the blessings that come along with the grumpy protests about Church service. The ones that remind us that we’re a family of unique people. And that we each have our own spiritual journey we’re on, and someone else’s path may look different from our own.

So we breathe. And let it go.

Because when complaints and tired, grouchy moods are present it means thank goodness, that so is the person.

Which means we have the blessing of being together

and relishing our wonderfully, imperfect lives and our abundance of blessings.

 If you’re interested about this topic of happiness, I stumbled on this tiny article, The 10 Secrets of Happy Women.

In the meantime, thank you for stopping on such an amazing day.

Wishing you a Christmas overflowing with contentment and love!!

xoxo

Leslie

 

 

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