Holidays

I love the last few months of the end of the year, with them brings holidays, family time, friends, sweets like cookies candy, fudge, and cupcakes, peppermint and pumpkin things, singing, lights and a feeling of love and happiness. But along with all the wonderful things they can also come stress. Stress of family, eating too much (even if it is yummy things), trying to see all your friends that have come back into town, finding the perfect gift, and not having money. Sometimes I feel that we have lost the really meaning of the holiday and this time of year. Yes, part of that maybe the religious part but I feel is it also togetherness. Being with people we love, sharing smiles, and hugs and talking to others.

This year I tried something different. I tried instead of buying many gifts I tried to either make gifts or gave the gift of time. I spent time with people instead of buying them something they might not like or use. I have to admit it didn't work as well as I wanted. I felt like I needed to buy things for others, however when I did it was something I knew they could really use. But I can tell you one thing. It helped to make my holidays less stressful and more enjoyable. I was less worried about buying things and had more time to spend with family and friends.

With the start of the new year brings a time of reflection. A time for many to make resolutions. As I took down the last of my decorations I thought about the new year and this year I am going to continue with my goal of "focusing on the journey and not the destination" in hopes that it will bring less stress to my life. Also I am going to try to be more honest with myself and others. I have in the past been scared to say what I really feel, scared I might hurts others feelings or be laughed at. By not sharing how I feel I wasn't being honest with myself or others and I know I missed out on things because of that. When setting goals you have to be realistic, be true to yourself and take baby steps. A friend told me that resolutions can be new or continuing and this year I have one of each :).