The Heart Of The Matter

I'm gonna keep this post short and sweet. It's the holidays and we are BUSY! Physically and emotionally exhausted.

I just want to send a quick reminder:

Don't forget to take at least a few moments each day to be conscious about what you LOVE about this season.

There are plenty of things to dislike for sure. But we all have those feelings of love as well.

Year's ago, when our local mall was a busy place-that just might date me, haha-my husband would talk me into going there with him. No, not to shop, but to just take some time to sit and watch the people. 

Yeah, I know, we all have our moments of people watching (airports, anyone??)

But this was different. It was as if he needed this time to really feel the Christmas spirit. There was an energy to it. All the decorations, Christmas music playing in the background and the general hustle bustle. Determined women, carrying their loot into the next store, the smell of spiced almonds at a kiosk, couples sitting in the food court and...

Oh boy! Can you feel it? There's this constant little tension in the air.

If you're like me and don't really shift gears into the holiday season until after Thanksgiving is over, well I'm sure you're feeling it too.

This feeling that sits right on the edge of:

Okay, okay. I've got this. I need to start planning, making lists, buying gifts, decorating and etc...I'VE GOT THIS. 

Or

Oh shit. Christmas is right around the corner. I'm not ready. I'm already feeling overwhelmed. I don't know how I'm going to do it all. Help! Stop!

First off let's take a deep breath. We've done this many times now and we can do it again. Step by step. One foot in front of the other.

One thing to keep in mind: Mama, you ARE the heart of the holidays.

No matter how put together you can make it or how messy it becomes, it is going to happen. Our kiddos will only remember how it felt.

So if it requires some stepping back and simplifying in order to reduce the overwhelm, do that.

I want to suggest...