Sunday, November 16, 2014

Simplicity During the Christmas Season

Technically it's not the Christmas season yet, but yesterday I found myself thinking about all the things I need to do before Christmas gets here, & I suddenly realized that I was starting to feel a bit of stress.  Just a bit.  It occurred to me that if I'm starting to feel a bit of stress, others are probably starting to feel it too.  

When we become stressed, we lose our peace ... & when we lose our peace, we lose our joy.  We often find ourselves focusing on what we have determined to be the season's "Things That Need to Be Done" ... cleaning the house, buying the food, cooking the food, baking the cookies, decorating the tree, decorating the house, buying/making the gifts, wrapping the gifts, writing & mailing the cards, mailing the gifts that need to be mailed, hosting guests (maybe even housing them), visiting family & friends, attending church or school programs, going to seasonal parties, volunteering, etc.  We find ourselves over working, over committing, & over spending.  

How can we have peace & joy during the Christmas season?  Focus on the true meaning of Christmas.  God's Son.  He was born in a simple manger.  He lived a simple life.  Simplicity brings peace & joy.  When you complicate things, as we so often do during the Christmas season as well as during the rest of the year, we block that peace & joy.

I wish you all a blessed & simple week ... & blessed & simple weeks ... ahead.

11 comments:

Purple Pixie Dust said...

Shirlee you must be feeling better, Your blogging about Christmas and not your eye, which I hope is getting better, maybe you are enjoying a large cup of tea and it's making you feel better. Anyway you take care and no more branch trimming. hugs Lynda Ruth

Simple Pleasure said...

Dearest Shirlee,
...how very true; it's all about life's simple pleasures!
I hope your eye if better today, too.
Busy Hands...Happy Heart
Patricia

Maureen said...

Thank you for this reminder. I will save it and refer back to it when ever I find myself losing sight of what I am celebrating during the Christmas Season.

Hazel said...

And who says we have to do all that stuff anyways? Just do what gives you peace and leave the rest! The last couple of years I stopped giving out as many Christmas cards and this eased things up for me. Keep it simple and keep your peace. Xx

Robin in Virginia said...

Hope your eye is doing much better today, Shirlee! Your post today was a wonderful reminder about blessings of peace and joy for the upcoming Christmas season and one that we should hold close to for the entire year.

Robin in Virginia

Kevin said...

This is so true and is an important message that I think we all need to be reminded of every Christmas

Kevin said...

Boy I'm not having luck leaving replies on here today! I just want to thank you for reminding us of the "reason for the season" as they say. I would truly love to simplify things this year and every year. Stress and I do not get along well. Come to think of it, does stress agree with anyone, really? I hope your eye is feeling better today, Shirlee. Thinking of you - chat soon! Kevin

Vickie said...

I am still praying for that eye of yours.
Thank you for the appropriate words on Christmas. This happens every year I am afraid.

gracie said...

We are all in agreement...your post is a good reminder for all of us. Hope you are doing better with the eye.....

Ele said...

So true... It's too easy to overcommit & overwork! One should probably learn to say 'no' more often. :)
Wish you a simple week too
Glad to read your eye is doing better

Kaisievic said...

More wise words, Shirlee, thank you.