Stay On A Break? Or Bring it All Back? Or Something Else?
The holiday season has been a bit diminished for me over the past few years. With a scattered family, travel restrictions, health risks, and, quite frankly, sometimes low holiday energy, it has been a challenge to get myself “into the spirit!”
As I look back, taking a break was the right thing to do at the time. But now I am beginning to feel the tug of memories from seasons past to bring back some of its traditions.
Each of us will have favorites among our memories. It could be the music, the social gatherings, the time with family, the gifts, the food, the decorations, the lights, the spiritual celebrations, or one of my personal favorites, the shopping.
Since my love language is gifts, it makes sense that shopping is the one thing that had never paused, even when I took a break from the rest. The season begins for me when I choose the first gift. It’s not about settling for just any gift to get started either, but rather, it is finding the perfect gift for one person on my list. The first one feeds my creativity for all the rest.
Sometimes when I am shopping, especially now that it’s online, I start by just browsing to see what’s there. That’s when I put in random words that relate to the person I’m focused on at that moment. It has been extraordinary what has come up as ideas. It has given me an entirely new shopping experience, and I have loved every moment and purchase.
It has also afforded me the opportunity to find some incredible places to shop where they are working hard to make our world a better one and support their missions. When your giving generates more giving, that’s the ultimate shopping experience.
When I began my gift searches this year, I realized that, just like how and where I shop, there are also many ways to continue other traditions in a new way.
I find that I’m relishing the idea of ending my holiday break with a fresh approach. Even starting some new traditions with my grandchildren and new friends! Today is when we make tomorrow’s memories. I want them to be good ones. Not missing ones.
My house is no longer going through the complete Christmas transformation of days past. Instead of every room changing, it’s only one or two. Instead of Christmas decorations everywhere you look, only those items most cherished hold places of honor for my enjoyment. It’s a Christmas house again, but now it reflects this season of my life and who I am now.
I’m also not preparing a great feast for family and friends. But I am helping to feed many in my community in partnership with others doing the same. I’m finding there is great satisfaction in being able to be a part of that.
Yes, my break is over, but not everything came back. And that’s just fine. I’m contributing to and enjoying the spirit of the holiday in new ways.
I’m honoring the past, enjoying the present, and looking forward to a future that grows more fascinating by the day. One of the most delightful things about living is that there is always so much more to us than yesterday.
How about you? Where have you been taking a break?
Are you ready to bring back something old mixed with something new?
Not sure where to begin?
Where can you make a difference?
It’s a great place to start.
