How do we get through another Holiday season with grace, love, kindness, good cheer, delight, caring………et al? The list alone exemplifies how much this holiday is “supposed” to embody, and how we’re “supposed” to be all love light and giving. That we aren’t to be angry or dare I say it: “Scrooge” like (gasp)!
I’ve come to the conclusion that, for the most part, we are all those things and we want the goodness in us to shine. Unfortunately some of us financially can’t give the physical gifts that we want to. We can feel inferior, and feel stupid giving a pathetic little gift that isn’t “perfect”, and feels obligatory. I’m in that boat. The holidays stress the crap out of me because I want to give, give, give, and all I can give is my spirit, company, hearth, and heart. I feel like it isn’t good enough for those that are surrounded by gifts that encompass the Christmas tree so much so you can’t even SEE the tree. I don’t even want to try anymore. Christmas or the holidays have come to symbolize my financial instability that is highlighted to others in my life at this season.
I’m not a Scrooge but I no longer put up a tree, lights, or whatever (too expensive), I have old decorations that I still put up which are few, I don’t have designer gift wrap to put on whatever gifts I do give, another feeling of inferiority, I don’t have designer decorations. It’s like the season can’t be enjoyed unless you have the designer everything. I am a simple person that wants only to spend time with people I love during this season, share a glass of wine in a non-matching glass, laugh, and have it be enough.
May we all live, love, and enjoy our friends and family this season like “The Grinch realized: “Christmas still comes without, trappings, trimmings, and bowes”. Be a Who in Whoville, and sing, love, and be kind. That’s all we need.
