When I was a kid, my siblings and I would start watching the mailbox after Halloween like a dog eyeing an unattended juicy steak on the kitchen table. The arrival of the Best Products catalog was a much anticipated event.
We would spend hours poring over the thin, colorful pages, circling every toy we wanted so our parents would know exactly what to get us. Back then, we had too many Christmas wishes to name and every one of them could be wrapped in glittering paper and a colorful bow and nestled under the tree for us to open on Christmas morning.
Like everything in adulthood, Christmas wishes are much more complicated to fulfill than a request for a Barbie Dream House or a set of Hot Wheel tracks with the loop de loop. But it doesn’t stop me from wishing. There’s something about this time of year…maybe it’s the magical glow cast by millions of twinkle lights, softening the harsh realities of life. Or maybe it’s the goodwill of people rushing about in search of gifts on their children’s wish list, hoping to keep their dreams of Santa alive for one more season.
I find myself smiling more easily, holding the shop door open for the person behind me and being more generous with my time and energy as the year draws to a close. Is it the realization that I’ve let too many opportunities to bring joy to others slip past these last twelve months? Or perhaps I just want to wring every bit of Christmas cheer out of these four magical weeks that makes me strive put a smile on someone else’s face or make their day a little easier.
What I want for Christmas can’t be bought in stores or wrapped in a box. It can’t be held in your hands or ordered online. Of course I want world peace, health and happiness for my family and friends. And selling millions of my books, all of which get five star reviews, would be an amazing Christmas wish. I mean, I’m only human – everyone has dreams like that.
But my Christmas wish this year is something much simpler. I wish to be present in every moment. I want to listen fully to those around me, help where ever I can and laugh loud (and often), because laughter can things so many things better. These past few years have been a traumatic, dystopian rollercoaster ride on endless repeat and if there is one thing I’ve learned through the deaths of loved ones and the pandemic is that life is short. Sometimes you have to find your joy wherever you can take it, even if you’re locked in your house for months on end.
Often I find joy when I stop the frenzied rush of my day, take a deep breath and simply appreciate what’s around me. There’s a sort contentment to be found in helping a friend who’s having a tough day and peace knowing someone else’s experience is a little easier because I’ve helped. Taking the time to chat with someone who might be lonely or checking in with an old friend all bring a me a warm feeling of happiness and I’ve gotten out of the habit of doing these things, caught up as I have been in my own life. Like we all can get when the days are long and filled with myriad tasks all needing to be attended to ASAP.
Life passes so quickly and I often forget that my daily life experience is just as more important as where I am headed. I will reach my goals eventually, so I might as well enjoy the journey along the way. I hope that my being consciously present as my daily life unfolds enriches not only my own experience but that of the people around me.
I hope all our holiday wishes come true.
Merry Christmas 🎄