Life Resource Center

To create a Holiday that is less stressful, more spiritual, more thankful, more personally meaningful, takes some effort, willingness and reflection. Simplifying does not mean getting more organized, although at this time of the year we are bombarded with "how to” articles.  Getting more organized means trying to do the same things in less time, to become a combination of Martha Stewart and Bob Vila. Stop torturing yourself, give yourself permission to let go of such ideas, give yourself permission to simply simplify, eliminating rituals and things that are no longer meaningful, focusing on what you love.  It may take you a few years to get there, as most likely there will be family resistance to change.  So take baby steps.  We cling to the old and the familiar because we fear being propelled out of our comfort zone.

To simplify does not require abandoning gift giving, or replacing holiday feasts with spartan fare.  It does however require us to rethink the ways we celebrate overall.  It means becoming more conscious of the waste inherent in our usual ways, and taking a stand to curtail excesses.  Let us focus more on the decorating of our "inner tree”, with true generosity, love and compassion.  Let us use this time to teach, and encourage our children to give in ways that only children can.  If we include them, children are willing to become actively involved in worthy causes, and in turn they teach us.  Children in our culture are often left to be passive recipients of the holiday giving.  We owe them an opportunity to participate in the kind of joyful giving, where no gift wrap is required.