Christmas Card Connection
Christmas cards used to be my thing. I took pride in being the first one to get my cards out the day after Thanksgiving. I didn’t do this as a competition or a rush, but because it was one item that I could check off my list.
Cards out - check, tree up - check, Christmas cookies baked - check, house decorated - check, check, check.
And here in lies the problem. Christmas cards were originally sent to tell friends and family we loved them and missed them. To update those we rarely see with a smile and a festive wish. However, what the Christmas cards became for me, was a checked box.
Something that was intended to bring happiness and cheer, had become a task to “get through”. I never intended the holidays to feel that way, but a few years ago I recognized, that was exactly what they had become.
Why? I was caught up in making everything perfect and trying to please everyone, and because it was what I had always done and was “suppose” to do. In fact, everyone expected me to do all of this, right???
A Hallmark holiday takes a ton of work after all!
What I know to be true now, however, is that no one cared about everything being “perfect” and what I really value is connection, not the cards, ribbons and bows.
Passe, I know, we’ve all heard this so many times before, but I had lost the connection to MYSELF in an effort to stay perfectly connected to others.
My challenge for myself and possibly each of you, is to navigate this season with purpose and connection instead of obligation and box checking.
My Christmas wish is that I have connected with each of you in some way. If it was a blog post, a phone call, a football game or a shoulder to cry on. I am so grateful to each and every connection in 2024 and the multitude more I am committed to make in 2025.
Christmas Connection to you, to myself and to the wonderful communities I am blessed to be a part of.
This blog serves as my Christmas card this year with my family that I cherish so dearly. I am choosing to spend my time connecting instead of hustling. I hope this finds you connected too!
From my home to yours, Merriest of Christmas, Happiest of Hanukkah or the wish of true joy and connection for whatever you celebrate.