three!!

[or] "My Sage Advice For You and Me."

A few days ago, I said to Eric, "It's coming! Now there's a week, and then tomorrow it will only be three days, and then the day after that is Christmas. So really it's tomorrow."
"Like on Seinfeld.... So it's really only one day...like five minutes, really, Jerry said..."
"Exactly what I'm talking about!" said I.

And sure enough, it's only been a few hours since that conversation.
And sure enough, Christmas is here.

I was reminded today that we all have preferences and things that are most important to us... and along with that, surely someone else will come along to tell us about theirs, and so we then question ours.

So I'm here to remind us all to live Joyfully!

Remember the letdown after Christmas when we were kids? I decided several years ago that it didn't have to be that way.
So, so, so much denial and then one big explosion and then it was over in the blink-of-an-eye.
So I say "Yes!" when I am able, when the babes ask to open a little tiny (inexpensive) something under the tree.
Certainly it is not fashionable (or moral, some would say!) to promote wicked consumerism, and I am not attempting to do that, but I do know that Christmas is "Lovely, glorious, beautiful Christmas, upon which the entire kid year revolves."
And I choose to celebrate that truth.

I believe in Santa.
I believe in childhood.
I don't mind chaotic explosions of bows and ribbons and paper and plastic cartridges (I could surely do without those, honestly) and foil chocolate wrappers and peanut and pistachio shells all over the livingroom for a full day, without embarrassment. Even when someone comes over.
I love new pajamas for Christmas Eve. (Pre-washed, of course.)
I love The Christmas Story playing over and over and over again in the background on Christmas Day.
I love waking up in the middle of the night (again... because I swear I never really sleep on Christmas Eve) and doing my middle-of-the-night business and then pacing and chomping until it's finally a suitable time to go wake up my family.

I like the all of it.
I like the glitz and the chaos, and I like the serene strolls through Mother Nature's intimate winter whites.

A person such as me can feel extreme guilt about loving all of these things.
People have been disdaining the commercialism of this holiday for a long time, now.
Many of us try to focus our energies and resources upon what the holiday means religiously or choose to concentrate upon the time for Family.

For me, I figure my spirituality (though not religious) is a daily thing, and certainly most of my everyday life is spent concentrated upon childhood and being together.
I don't do too bad, I figure.
(I hope it's obvious that spending quality time with my husband and babes is very important to me.)

So!
What's my point. ??
:)
My point is that hopefully we've all made the best lives for ourselves.
My point is to be happy with our personal choices.
The world would be a horrid or dreadfully boring place if we all preferred the exact same things.

So if you're feeling guilty about heading out today to pick up some last-minute things, don't. Enjoy it.
If it's snowing and you'll be sloshing on the roads, don't forget to splash in a puddle in the parking lot. And give your change to the guy ringing the bell.
If you've chosen a gift-free Christmas, then be happy in the knowing that it was what you chose to do, this year. Think about all the ways you're giving your time and your smiles and your heart, instead.
Whether you're busy crafting and cooking and creating,
or if your heart is captured by stories and firelight - be happy in the things you've chosen.
If [ahem] you have a thousand things to do at home, remember to do so Joyfully.
Blast your favorite music, and dance two steps forward and one step back while you're cookin' and scrubbin'.
Smile often.

Open your heart wide, however you can, and live in Joy.

Only three days now, including this one.

Happy Christmas, everyone.