It’s mid-November. There is a chill in the air, some homes have their Christmas lights up Thanksgiving meal and Christmas gift suggestions are all over Instagram, the Holidays are impending yet not in full force. For some, it’s the quiet before the storm. If you are a Mom with children at home, especially small children, the coming weeks are a flurry of activity, Christmas concerts, Christmas parties, Santa gifts, Christmas gifts, the stockings, the Tree, the decorations, the cards, the family gathering, the meals…Depending on where you are in life, some of these tasks may be on your list too. Everyday closer to Thanksgiving and the coming holidays, our regular daily lists maybe have extra tasks to complete to ‘get ready’ the weeks’ ahead events.
Some of these tasks ARE what we need to do to be prepared for annual celebrations and gatherings we look forward to every year. Some families and friends only get together once a year, so these gatherings cement relationships that are special to us, but due to distance or time constraints, we are unable to see these special people any other time. It says a lot that there is a commitment to be together with these people in our lives. The gatherings that are not familial or other close ties can be business in manner as in an employer saying “thanks’ and your years worth of work is valuable to us and we value you as an employee. That too is a kind gesture from those we rely on and and count on dedicated employees to run their business.
Most importantly, during the season of Advent/Christmas or Hanukah is the Remembrance of the season and what it represents, The Reason for the Season and why these holidays ARE important to us and what they represent in our faith.
Going about the daily tasks this week, thinking of all of this as I went through my week, the thought of the busyness the weeks ahead will bring, I tried to take intended extra time to be present with a few people I encounter along the way-and took the time when the unexpected encounters happened. Here’s what I mean. I needed to ask my supervisors at the health club about an upcoming event. It was something that could have been handled in an email or text, but since I was at the club, I decided to stop in. It was nice to have the face to face conversation, in addition to the topic to discuss, I was able to say how much I enjoy being part of the team at the health club. When I left, I felt as if I had hade a little “hug of the heart.” We have such a nice team and Kylie and Angie work so diligently to give members a great group fitness experience and they really make a big effort to make sure instructors have the equipment they need in the most up to date studios. Those good feelings or little ‘hugs of the heart’ would not have happened had I just sent an email or text…
I taught a ballet class on Wednesday. After class, I stayed a few minutes afterwards talking to a friend who attended whom I had not seen for a while. We caught up with our families, and talked about the usual health and beauty stuff we usually talk about when we are together and I left feeling, again again that I had had a little “hug of the heart.” Later that day, I texted her to tell her how nice it was to see her…
Late yesterday, I called our youngest son to just catch up. He helps me with my tech stuff, and since he talked to my husband often, I usually just get updates rather than take up his time on a call. It was nice. We talked about his professional life, his personal life and he was interested in what was going on in my life. No longer the parent/child but the adult/adult relationship. It was wonderful and when our daughter stopped by after she put her girls to bed, leaving them with her husband, another unexpected encounter with one of our three adult children that was fun, unanticipated and another “hug of the heart”…
There are times when the text/email are what you need to do. It’s a quick answer to a quick question and that is appropriate and necessary. However, when you have the time, consider the call while you are in the car or an ‘in person check-in” just make it personal and real. These are the gestures that keep relationships strong and in tact.
As the weeks get closer to the Holidays, think of things that you can skip to do the things that matter. Overwhelming unnecessary tasks can weigh us down and prevent us from enjoying the events of the season that matter like those that strengthen our faith, the reasons for the season, being with those who matter to us and enjoying this joyous time of year…The extra is just stuff. Sometimes very nice stuff, but ultimately, just stuff…Wishing you many little pockets of time to do the things that matter and to let the rest go…It’s a Great Day ❤️
