How to Take Back Your December
In a world of distraction, it is very easy to get caught up in everything you have to do and attend this month. Most events are wonderful, beautiful things that contribute to the good of others. Some events are not. However, the reality is that attending ALL of the events that make great sense to us, can be draining. We are not super humans. We can only do so much before we start feeling tired, resentful, and lose our joy for the Season. Everything becomes a check of the box instead of a peacefu, joyful, sense of being.
To keep your peace and joy this December, keep the purpose of your Christmas your main focus! Ask yourself, what do I want the purpose of my December leading up to Christmas to be like? How do I want my December to be? Just because there are great events and activities that everyone else is attending does not mean we have to attend ALL of them. Whatever you choose to focus on will determine everything. If you choose to focus on everything being perfect than this will be a stressful Christmas. Or you can focus on the real meaning of Christmas. Each day, intentionally choose to focus on the purpose you chose at the beginning of December. Write it down. The main thing is not what you will eat, it is not what gift you got, it is not the Christmas tree decorations. The main thing is what you decided to focus on this Season. Focusing on just that, will make life a lot simpler and with simple comes lightheartedness.
Another way to keep your joy this December leading up to Christmas is to make an intentional choice not to do EVERYTHING! Ask yourself what matters most to you this Christmas. Realize it is wise to say no. Make a list of the 3 most important activities or items that matter to you. Once you have picked your 3 activities/items, honor those items. Give these 3 items your full attention. Every time you feel obliged or compelled to say yes to something that is not on your list of 3, reflect on your list. Remind yourself that the other things are trivial. Release yourself from the trivial many and adopt the wisdom of the vital few. We live in a world full of unlimited options. We live in a world of (FOMO) Fear of missing out. The reality is, you will miss out. Focus on what matters most. If you focus on what matters most, missing out starts to feel irrelevant. Find your joy and follow your joy. Slow down to the speed of joy versus speeding up to the distraction of being busy. The fruits of slowing down are undeniable, and the lessons are life-changing.
Begin your Christmas Season with purpose. When we lose interest, it stops making sense to us and we lose interest we disengage. What is the purpose of Christmas? To most, this Christian holiday is Christ’s birthday. What is your purpose of Christmas? Decide to remember your purpose of Christmas each morning when you wake up. Let nothing divert you from your purpose. Pay attention to the content you choose to consume between now and Christmas. Is this content in line with your purpose? Whatever you choose to focus on will determine everything.
So this Christmas Season only focus on your list of 3 and the purpose of your Christmas, and choose not to focus on everything being perfect. Focus on the real meaning of Christmas daily and intentionally. Bring yourself back each day to your list of 3 and find joy this Christmas Season!