Here is installment #2 of Erin Dalton’s take on blending vs. balance in our ridiculously busy lives! Happy Holidays from all of us at Arts In Action Consulting!
-grace alfiero
Oh the weather outside is… well, it’s actually beautiful here in Pennsylvania! So, the mister and I decided to pack up the kiddos and head north for a quick family getaway before the craziness of the holidays overtake us. The vacation was a perfect blend of cheesy family fun (think go-carts and magic shows) and grown-up relaxation (a massage at a spa/lodge with giant fireplaces).
Now we are back to reality and preparing for that most joyous and stressful time of year – the holidays! The cookies, the gifts, the decorations and, did I mention, the cookies? All of us have the best of intentions, but are we really enjoying it? Is there a way to blend our extracurricular holiday activities into our regular lives so that we not only live through, but also LOVE what is dubbed the most wonderful time of the year?
First things first, let’s accept that it’s not all going to be Hallmark-card perfect. The holidays add a lot of bulk to our already jam-packed schedules. The best we can do is roll with the yuletide and let go of the urge to control it all. Relish the simple things and don’t lose sight of what’s really important – spending precious time with those who make you happy and spreading joy to those who need it the most.
Let’s embrace the quirks and the imperfections of this time of year. The cookies may be a little burnt– don’t worry, they’ll eat them anyway! The gifts might get shoved in bags instead of wrapped and bedecked with bows and ribbons – the kids don’t care! The decorations may not look like they do on the cover of Better Homes & Garden – my husband is getting grayer by the minute because he can’t figure out why some of the lights outside keep blinking! Guess what? It doesn’t really matter. Let it go (no pun intended, Frozen fans) and enjoy the beauty of the crisp winter air, the excitement on a child’s face and the magic that only the holidays can bring. And when the rush of the season catches up with you, end your day sitting by the fire with a mug of hot cocoa (or a scotch on the rocks, your choice!) and listen to Karen Carpenter croon Merry Christmas Darling – I promise you’ll feel better in no time.
Wishing you and yours a beautifully blended season of love and madness, peace and chaos!
-Erin Dalton
Merriest of holidays to you and yours from all of us at Arts In Action Consulting!