December 23rd: Step Into Christmas
Christmas can be a testing time for families. We come together with open hearts and great intentions, but sometimes find it difficult to get along. It’s hardly surprising when we live such full-on, switched-on lives. Stepping into Christmas can be hard.
I freely admit I don’t have the longest fuse, especially when things don’t go my way. Sellfishness is a trap one falls into when one lives alone and it lays invisible until triggered by the wants and needs of others. I find it a challenge to switch from ‘me’ to ‘we’ at short notice. Christmas with all its expectations of perfection and harmony tests me to the limit: It’s the one element of the festivities I have yet to master.
It’s the one-offness of Christmas that catches us out. Propelled from the mundane into the extra-ordinary we may flounder. The decompression zone between the frenzied build-up and the occasion itself is brief – perhaps a day or two at most. It’s not easy to change mind-set and relax in such a short period of time.
The pressure to excel at Christmas is immense, but that’s not what it’s all about. It’s incumbent on us all to keep things in proportion, make allowances, keep the peace, give joy and generally smooth the way into the New Year. Today has been a wonderful day but I’ve faltered on occasion. With two days to go, I know I must try harder. TFG.
I’ve really been enjoying your advent calendar, so thank you for the daily missives and wishing you well for Christmas and the new year. Good luck with keeping that fuse unlit!
Claudia x
Sent from my iPad
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Hmmm. I may need to keep a bucket of water to hand, just in case! Happy Christmas Claudia. Dan
The old adage: count to ten before blowing your top.
Very wise 🧐
As Brene Brown reminds us, ‘The magic is in the mess.’ In other words, all the usual trials and tribulations of life do not stop just because it is Christmas, but that is where the magic lies! (I’ll tag you in her instagram post, she explains it so much better!) And thank you for a very special day.
Did you say ‘mess’? My heart is already palpitating …….
I have so enjoyed your blogs! A very happy Christmas and New Year Sarah
Thank you Sarah. Happy Christmas to you too! Dan
Realizing your shortcomings is the first step to conquering them. We all get tired and cranky this time of year. I bet you are hard on yourself. You are such a perfectionist. Relax, have a glass of wine or a tody and enjoy what ever happens this season. Cheers…
Yes, being a perfectionist is unhelpful at times like these. However often Martha sings ‘Let it Go’ at me, I don’t take the advice on board 😉 Happy Christmas!!
I too have really enjoyed your daily lead up to Christmas. I think you are a real hero to complete it with everything else you have to do. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Well, I am not sure about that, but blogging daily has definitely kept me on my toes. Now for a short break. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas. Dan
I’m sure all will go really well…if you feel a little flustered “put a gap in” and go see your greenhouse plants they always help calm down a potential situation!
Very wise. The workshop also appeals on such occasions. I might have to buy an old armchair in a junk shop and keep it out there for ‘emergencies’! Happy Christmas to you Anne. Dan
I’ve enjoyed evey single post on here Dan have a lovely Christmas with all your family. We really must catch up in 2019…
Thank you! I’m looking forward to a quiet one …. ish 😉
Well said. Very wise words to live by. Merry Christmas and thank you for you month of very interesting posts!
My pleasure. Happy Christmas Cindy! Dan