It’s a phrase we often hear at this time of year, but are we really experiencing it? We may simply be wondering how we’ll get everything done with all of the extra tasks on our “to do” list. But if we’re clever, we’ll notice there really is time to savor what the season has to offer us. It may just take a shift in perspective.
What if… we began to regard the holiday season as an invitation to do less, not more. What if we remembered that holidays are an invitation to step out of our routines, an invitation to experience life differently… a time to celebrate life and the wonder of it all. If we could shift our focus to “what” we are celebrating instead of “how” we are celebrating, we open ourselves again to the wonder of the season.
It seems that for many of us, holiday celebrations are simply a checklist of things to be done… buy the gifts, bake the cookies, send the cards, decorate the tree, …. too many things to do! It’s understandable and yet, we need to realize that approach is a choice we make.
What if… instead of working harder, creating overwhelm and stress, we began to see the holiday season as an opportunity to pause… and WONDER. Can we choose to pause long enough to admire the brilliance of the lights, appreciate the children singing, and feel connected to one another? Might our spirits be lifted? Might we actually experience the awe that the season inspires? Perhaps, we even allow the stress to melt away and let our hearts be lifted with joy.
Amid the holiday hustle and bustle, at least here in the northern hemisphere, there is a natural quieting of winter. Softer light, fewer daylight hours, silent snowfall… all of these invite us to quiet, pause and wonder.
Our intention is to learn to thrive in the midst of holiday chaos by finding moments of wonder and awe. We invite you to join us by creating some of these moments for yourself.
Let’s savor the season of wonder.
Barb and Mary
December 2018