So here we are, rapidly approaching the US shipping deadlines for the holiday season, juggling the calendar to fit in holiday parties, gift shopping, card writing, and vacation planning. Have you ever stopped to figure out why, despite the exhaustion, December's schedule is still usually so much more pleasant than the same stressful busy-ness of the rest of the year?
One major reason is that we are not following arbitrary guidelines that we think others have set for us -- that guilt that leads us to do things because we think we must, should, ought to, and have to. Instead, the holidays bring on a sense of cheer and warmth and festivity, and WE CHOOSE what to do to embody that spirit.
You normally feel awful if you don't respond to emails in 5 minutes, but this month you stretch that to 24 hours because you're writing cards & sending letters to keep up with friends the old fashioned way. You don't feel guilty about spending money on gifts for your family and close friends, because you are excited to show them your thoughtfulness. You go for that extra cup of calorie-stuffed egg nog, because you are celebrating with friends. There's no law saying you must or mustn't do any of this, and you're freely following your own choices!
How would it feel to remove the word "guilt" from your motivational lexicon not just during the holidays, but through the rest of the year? How about saying yes to the things that you want to do, and then be comfortable saying no to the other things that don't fit into your absolute yes list?
Happy shopping, and happy shipping.
Quote of the Week: “Guilt is the price we pay willingly for doing what we are going to do anyway.” -- Isabelle Holland
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