With Christmas just around the corner, (and all those cards still to write, let alone packages to send!), I’m surrounded by the escalating busyness of it all, and can feel my stress level starting rise. Well, in truth – that was me about a week ago; now, my Martha Stewart persona is definitely in check and under control – and not a second too soon! (Don’t tell me you don’t know what I’m talking about, girls and guys alike!) Whether conscious or not, we all strive for perfection during the holidays; finding that perfect gift, sending out each and every last card and not forgetting anyone (or anything) on time, arriving with minutes to spare to any/all gatherings, and with (yet again) the biggest and most joyful (and potentially genuine) of smiles. Have you ever been able to reflect on where all of these festive tasks turned obligations come from, thought about what the root(s) really is (besides asking that always-so-cynical friend, who volunteers Hallmark even before you open your mouth….) and where the actual holiday has gone within the seasonal craziness? SIGH. No wonder holidays like Festivus have popped up in our reality, and anti-christmas commercialism parties are more popular than traditional ones.

In essence, the true meaning of Christmas (and any holiday or celebration, really) has been misplaced in the last few decades. Although that’s been the counter argument for many years now (the other end of the spectrum to those that are blindly Christmas crazy) I mean it from another perspective – what if the true meaning of Christmas (again, any holiday) isn’t getting all wrapped up in it, but rather - unwrapped, to fully embrace it? Is doing so even possible? …I believe that it is, but it does involve hard work on your part. How, you ask? By doing nothing. No, really – simply slowing down, making mindful choices about what you do, what you don’t do (…by not feeling guilty about either of those, I might add!), and ultimately how many things you take on to distract yourself from truly being present and experiencing (…YES – just like the dozens of holiday cards you’ve chosen to send? It’s YOUR choice to do so!)