Christmas is now on the horizon, and it doesn't seem very cheery this year.
I have heard it from a lot of people... that this Christmas doesn't have the same feel to it as years past. Read the news and all you hear about is economic hardship, low retail sales, unemployment, people are depressed, the weather is awful...
What is there to be merry about this year?
Economic times are tough...yes...but I can't control that...what I can control is my own life and my attitude toward it. It's true, there are less gifts under my tree this year...but since when is my happiness dependent on how many Christmas gifts I get - or give? Is having 10 less gifts under the tree going to make my Christmas dinner taste bad? Is missing my holiday shopping trips going to make me not enjoy spending time with my family on Christmas day? If the weather is snowy and family can't come, doesn't it mean more to know that they are safe?
I think that lately, people's perspective has been out-of-whack (including mine). We have forgotten what Christmas is really about.
Top 10 things I am thankful for this Christmas (in no particular order):
1 and 2. Hailey and Nathan. Hailey has grown and thrived this past year, she is healthy, smart, funny...I couldn't ask for anything more. Nathan has been wonderful this year, he's so good with Hailey...I don't think he really knows how much I appreciate everything he does.3. My family. Things might not be totally ideal for all of us right now, but we are healthy, I think we are generally happy and still love spending time with each other. I know of other families that can't stand the sight of each other, so I feel fortunate that we are all still close. I love all of them very much.
4. My job. I have developed closer relationships with my co-workers this year, and that makes work that much more meaningful. I have challenged myself on certain endeavors and generally been pleased with the results.
5. Art Bayou. My friend Palee's success with her new shop....sometimes I still can't believe she really did it. This was a dream she had talked about for so long, and then she took the chance and really made it happen. I'm proud of her.
6. Marching band. The past fall season with the marching band, I had a lot of fun, made some great new friends, and finally got to go to DCI finals. The whole season was a shot in the arm and just confirmed why I love the activity. The fact that I could excuse myself for the winter season has really brought my daughter and I closer together, I appreciate that.
7. Facebook. Yes, believe it or not. This year I have reconnected with a group of people from college that I love very dearly, but had quietly slipped from my life. Through Facebook, we have started rebuilding friendships and I find they can still all make me laugh, just like they did 20 years ago. Plus...I get to keep track of my guard kids who have graduated, or who I don't see very much.
8. My health. So...I'm not going to go out and run a marathon anytime soon, but it could be a lot worse. Plus, the part of my health that could use some improvement...I have the power to change myself, not everyone can say that.
9. My friends. I might not get a chance to see all of them as much as I would like, but I have such a great feeling of support from all of them - it's nice to know that there is always someone there who has got your back.
10. Daycare. I can't tell you how much stress is taken off your shoulders when you have a daycare person that you trust 100%. Leaving the most important person in your world with someone else for that long is...well...a panic-enduing thought. I'm glad we have someone whom I know truly loves our daughter.
Before getting upset about what this Christmas season is lacking, take a lesson from Thanksgiving (the forgotten holiday)...and list the things that you are thankful for. Take the time you would use getting depressed over the newspaper and spend it making someone else happy by telling people how much you care about them.
Count your blessings Christmas Day, and not the presents under the tree.
That will guarantee you a Merry Christmas!
