Let There Be Peace

I am up early today … partly because I thoroughly enjoy a cup of coffee when the house is still quiet, but also because I need to regroup and get things done after a long, busy week, as I get ready to greet another jam-packed day.  Yes, it is December, and the Christmas season is upon us.  Life as a working mother can be very hectic to begin with, and as women we often strive for perfection.  But for some reason, most of us tend to put even higher expectations on ourselves this time of year  -- expectations that are often not even obtainable.  Why do we do this to ourselves?

By the day after Thanksgiving, we begin spending money and time shopping for the perfect gifts to make our family members, close friends and even clients happy.  We suddenly think we are Martha Stewart and attempt to find time to decorate our houses with lights and garland and trees.  We aspire to be Betty Crocker to make cut out cookies and gingerbread men and a variety of Christmassy treats, and our social calendars fill up with holiday events despite our prior engagements.  In a frenzy of busyness, we attempt to make the season perfect -- but why?  

Life is not a race nor a competition.  It is not a Hallmark Movie or a Disney Fairytale.  Despite our best efforts, we will disappoint people (usually those we love most), we will make mistakes, we will offend  people, and some may disapprove of our decisions and our actions.  We can not do it all … we can not be two places at once … we can not do more than time will allow… and we can’t control our circumstances or other people.  We need to let our unachievable expectations slide ... we need to simply try our best, keep realistic goals and remember that life is sometimes beyond our control.  

It is important to remember the true meaning of Christmas.  Imagine how Joseph must have felt that first Christmas Eve, trying to provide for his family while circumstances were beyond his control.  Imagine the high expectations on Mary, being the mother to the son of God.  But yet in the simple shelter of a stable on Christmas Eve, they had peace and gladness in their hearts …      

I invite you to join me this Christmas season (and all throughout the year) in setting aside our impossible expectations, ill-shaped (or boughten or even unattempted) cutout cookies, lopsided trees and empty pocket books.  Let’s let go of our unfinished tasks, unmet ideals, feelings of guilt and fear of disappointing others.  Let’s remember the true meaning of Christmas and enjoy each moment from this day forward ... 

Please join me today in proclaiming "Let there be Peace on earth -- and let it begin with me!"