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As Thanksgiving wraps up here in the states and the beginning of Hanukah and Christmas come to the forefront of most of our minds, I find myself contemplating what it is I adore so much about this time of year. After all, I enjoy my time alone, and the holidays are intended to bring people together - something I can only handle so much of. I think what it is I enjoy most is the opportunity to focus on goodness, kindness and compassion. The opportunity to remind myself what it is exactly I want to do with this precious thing called life that I have been given only one opportunity to make the most of.
And it is with each year that I hope progress has been made. It is with each year that I strive to come ever closer to living the life that sits most comfortably and authentically with my true self. After all, trying to be someone we're not is the most exhausting activity of all, and it robs us all of so many amazing opportunities that wish to occur.
This week I began reading Twyla Tharp's The Creative Habit: Learn it and use it for Life
, and what spoke to me immediately was Tharp's embracing of who she was and what she loved to do, refusing to apologize for it and making it her life's work. Tharp speaks to her daily rituals and habits that have become so ingrained into her routine that they are a comfort that preps her to be the creative talent that she is.
It is when we tap into our creative self that we realize work can be fun, and as a result, life can be amazingly fulfilling. But more often than not, it will take a tremendous amount of discipline and focus, and often a choice to ignore those who don't understand. It is not our job to explain to each person who stands in our path or snickers from the sidelines to explain ourselves. It is however, our job to keep striving forward relentlessly.
So you may be asking, what does this have to do with the holidays? For me, the holidays can quickly cause me to lose my balance, often playing expected (but not authentic) roles and not staying true to who I am, which can prompt a grumpy mood or a feeling of suffocation from all of the "have-tos". What I've discovered, and with each year am fine-tuning, is that finding a way to keep my balance - enjoy the holidays, but keep my creative rhythm which is what I love most about my life - is vital to making the most of this time of year.
I will be absolutely honest and admit, I still have moments in the middle of holidays when I have to step away and catch my breath. Often I notice I am off kilter when I notice first that my dogs are on edge as well. Funny how we first notice it in others before we notice it in ourselves. It is in that moment that I ask myself, how did I let it happen again? But congruently, I also usually notice that I have handled it better than the year before, and that is all that I can ask of myself.
The key to finding the ideal balance is continuing to get to know ourselves, continuing to ask the questions - why do I feel comfortable or at peace doing [insert activity], but not what is expected of me? When do I feel free to be myself and just be? When do I feel uncomfortable and out of my element? Why?
When we are honest with ourselves and ask these questions, we can begin to create a holiday season and a life that correlates with our values, our authentic self and begin to create the life that brings genuine contentment.
I wish you well on this journey, and if you have achieved it, I tip my hat to you. Enjoy and encourage those around you to find their contentment as well.
This week on the blog was a festive week indeed. On Monday I shared a list of 34 things I most love about the holiday season, and Tuesday I shared TSLL 2nd annual Holiday Gift Guide. As you received on Monday in your inbox, a giveaway was announced as well, and subscribers to the newsletter had an extra opportunity to enter to win. Be sure to stop by the blog and enter for the 2nd and 3rd time if you have already emailed me for your first entry. The winner will be chosen this Sunday (December 1st) and announced in next week's Friday newsletter.
And if you are taking advantage of the many shopping sales going on this Black Friday through Cyber Monday, take a look at this blog post full of all of the promo codes and sales you will certainly want to take advantage of.
If you are enjoying a long weekend, I hope you are enjoying the time you have planned - whether you are surrounded by family and friends or simply enjoying time catching your breath and settling into the holiday festivities in your own manner. Until next week, I'll see you on the blog.
