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Look Ahead
Does the influx of clutter at
the holidays get you down? Boxes and tissue to be recycled…toys
and clothes to be put away….presents that crowd your surfaces
way too long….a mounting pile of items to be returned…. when
does it all become too much?
Don't get me wrong: I love Christmas, but not for the gifts.
It's the experiences of the season that ignite my senses and
emotions. I love baking cookies with my family and celebrating
our traditional ladies' high tea. Wrapping gifts in shimmery
paper and ribbons is a special ritual. Lighting every candle in
the house and enjoying a crackling fire in the fireplace; these
touches make the holiday sparkle.
But after the holidays, the entire house instantly looks dusty
and jumbled. Am I the only one who feels this way? While
decorating the tree seemed festive at the time, doesn't taking
it down seem overwhelming? All my treasures that were such a joy
to set up are now a chore to pack away.
Isn't it crazy how such a blessed season can actually leave us a
bit depressed when it passes? When I think about it, I realize
it's the experiences of the season that I love so much, but it's
the stuff that saddles me with chores and a feeling of
overwhelm.
So, how do we Iand how do weenjoy the addition of decked-out
halls without hating the fallout? I think it must be in our
mindset. This year, I'm going to look ahead. With my belongings,
my home, and my attitude, I'm going to press into the future,
into what lies aheadinstead of getting stuck in this dusty
depression.
As I put away my decorations, I'm going to remember the laughter
that filled my home as our family milled about enjoying the
holiday scenes. As I clean up the pine needles and dust the
furniture, I'm going to be making room for the next round of
hospitality. When I re-read my holiday cards, I'm going to pick
a few of these friends and make a New Year's date to rekindle
our friendships and catch up.
As I make a few returns and fight the usual crowds, I'm going to
remember those who didn't receive any presents this year and I'm
going to count my blessings. As the refunds come, I'm going to
resist filling my home with replacement stuff; instead I'm going
to take the credits and save for something I really need. I'll
think before I cash in my gift cards; I want to make wise
decisions every day this year. As I add the new clothes to my
closet, I will cull out those that don't quite fit or feel right
anymore and pass them on to someone else. I've already got
several bags started for charity, and I'm paring down,
lightening up, and feeling freer.
The day or two of holiday clear-out is actually becoming a
doorway I'll pass through into a new year that holds many new
adventures and possibilities. I'm looking ahead to a year where
I'll invest my time and resources into the relationships and
experiences that mean the most to me.
As you wade through your own holiday backlog, may you lighten
up, count your blessings, and look ahead to a future that
shimmers just as gloriously as the holidays. Living a life of
order is really about putting first things first so here's to a
year of fulfillment!
~Vicki Norris
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