Bittersweet

IMG_4442

The holiday season is upon us and even though I have done much to simplify my life around holidays, I still have a cellular memory of “anxiousness” when December comes knocking. Or sleeting.

This past week I delivered a talk to a rather large group of women at the National Conference Center in Leesburg. I was called upon to inspire these women yet, try as I might, I could not come up with one luscious holiday story. Pretty scary for the luscious legacy gal, yes? The talk that emerged was filled with truth. I called it Bittersweet.

Writing that talk was quite a process. I could probably fill a chapter in a book with all that showed up for me as I wrote (and rewrote) that talk, but for now let me say this: holidays bring both joy and angst.

Give yourself permission to feel both.

We simply must stop smiling when we don’t feel joy.

For years, I pretended to LOVE the holiday season with all its cheer. I didn’t. Holidays brought forth memories of a childhood filled with longing. Longing to be anywhere else but in my home where the Christmas tree came up from the basement each year

fully decorated

wrapped in plastic.

Christmas was a lonely experience in my home. I wanted to be next door in the festive family of eight, bustling about the REAL Christmas tree, hanging handmade ornaments and throwing tinsel all over the place.

Not in my home. Tinsel made a “mess.” We didn’t want to have to clean up any messes.

Today I’m celebrating MESSY. I say we bring back tinsel, paper cards and “messy.”

I plan to make a huge mess in my kitchen today. And then again, tomorrow. Will you join me in embracing “messy” this holiday season?

Leave a comment below if you have a story to share. Joy or angst.

 

 

 

 

7 thoughts on “Bittersweet”

    1. blank

      So good to see you live and in person yesterday, Anne. Thank you for reading my posts and reminding me that we are leaving a very different legacy in the world.

  1. blank

    Hi Sue Ann. Felt this might tickle your fancy. SARK calls it the Marvellous Messy Middle! And like you she invites us to play in there with wild abandon. Isn’t that delightful! And so are you. Messy Christmas! Xxxxxx Marg

  2. blank

    I LOVE it! I agree completely! I grew up with a fake tree as well and all the stuffiness that went with it. We always have the real thing now and just the smell makes me feel good. This time of year can bring back a lot of negative memories but we have the opportunity to choose the new ones that we get to create! The best part to having a past that feels lacking is how FULL and beautiful AND appreciated the present can be. It’s all what we make of it! Thanks for sharing your honest and open thoughts.

    1. blank

      I agree, Melissa! I think we can acknowledge the memories and then create new ones. A luscious legacy, indeed. Thank you for taking the time to comment in this very busy season.

  3. blank

    Okay, so I am a bit behind on my comment to this post, but doesn’t this apply all year? Of course the holidays are a heightened time for stress and such, but this is such a good reminder as I strive to reach another client deadline or other self-imposed deadline that causes the geyser of anxiety to well up within me.

    Today, I’m going analog (right after this) and messy! 🙂

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top