The Thanksgiving holiday was lovely.  I rested. 

We seldom rest during the holidays, though.  We rush to prepare our Thanksgiving offerings, hustle to be with our families, fidget through the meal, and off to the next place.  Then it’s Black Friday spending and Christmas decorating and more hurried shopping.  Christmas day is a quick assembly of eating too much and swapping gifts, returning home relieved we made it through another holiday season.  We’ll dismantle the tree and take down the lights and remove any evidence of the Christmas celebration.     

We will begin a new year the same way we started the last one.  The holiday was no holiday.  We’re tired, bothered, strained from tight finances and even tighter pants…..unmotivated to make a resolution that we know will be broken within a week.  It’s the same thing year after year.

Make this Christmas season unlike any other.  Don’t send Christmas cards to everyone you know.  Don’t buy everything on their wish list and don’t wrap the gifts perfectly.  Don’t make all your special treats and don’t go to every party. 

Do watch a Christmas movie or two and enjoy some marshmallows-topped hot chocolate with your kids.  Listen to Christmas music as you work a wintry jigsaw puzzle.  Cut some fresh evergreens from your own yard and make a simple centerpiece for your dinner table.   Make your favorite Christmas treats and share them with a neighbor. 

Enjoy the holidays and rest.  Next year you’ll yearn for the holidays.  That’s the way it’s supposed to be.