We had a wonderful Christmas this year, but I’m glad that it’s over. By the time we get to the “day after” I’ve enjoyed all the presents, candy, music, movies, shopping, decorating, and advertising I can stand. The “clutter” of the tree and other decorations began to bother me about three days ago, so yes, I’ve already taken my tree down and packed everything into little plastic boxes and stacked them neatly in the closet. More than a bit OCD, but I make no excuses.
To me the Christmas holiday is like a fairy tale. You have the introduction (planning and shopping), the great characters (family and friends), the plot twist (unwrapping the presents and eating the dinner), the resolution (gratitude and/or apologies for either the presents and/or the dinner), and then “they lived happily ever after” (resumption of daily life). It was always the later part of the stories that intrigued me as a child. What happened next? How did they live? Did the dragon return? Did the witch come back to life? Was she really satisfied to live in Kansas? I guess kids like me were the reason Disney created sequels!
Christmas also brings with it a sense of “Goal accomplished- what’s next?” After we’ve seen or heard about the results of our shopping endeavors and cooking efforts most of us are ready to set our sights on new horizons. Of course that means taking on the greatest task of all- remodeling ourselves. Time for the big diet! Tackle the obsessions! Eliminate the addictions! Banish the bad! Bring out the greatness! Reveal the inner glow of goodness and kindness! Well…something like that. Gym memberships and sales of nicotine patches will go up this week. Veggies and water will fly off the shelves. Self-help books will be downloaded to all the new Kindles and Nooks . We will experience a month, or perhaps even two, of hope and determination and endeavor. Then most of us will go back to the lives we were leading in October of 2010.
I’ve already decided to do things differently this year. I’m going to commit one thing to God and see what happens. Yes, you heard me. One thing. No big transformations this year. No list of resolutions. One goal. Let’s just see if that leads to a happy ending.
This morning the sun is shining, the heron is strutting on the boat dock, the ducks are floating on the pond, and the birds are gathered around the feeders. There is a new flower catalog waiting for me on the sofa and my cat is napping in front of the fire. Back to basics. Back to simple and ordinary. Makes me happy!
Hope you are happy and healthy today!
My OCD will be in full force tomorrow when all of the Christmas decorations come down and the dust begins flying. Last night marked the end of the Christmas season: the final Christmas party. Mental peace, physical rest.
Yes, tomorrow this house will get put back in order with cleared surfaces!!! Can't wait.
Bring on the simple and ordinary.
Posted by: Megan | December 29, 2010 at 09:54 PM