Quote of the Week: “Rule #1: Use your good judgment in all situations. There will be no additional rules.” ~ Nordstrom’s Employee Handbook
My Christmas tree is still up. Yes – it’s the last week in January. Yes – in years past I have had the tree down by the second weekend in January come heck or high water. Yes – a part of me wishes everything was neatly tucked away in the attic, preserved until December rolls around again.
And part of me is happy the tree is still gracing my living room. What? Really? Shocking, right? It’s a rule of God and nature that all Christmas decorations should be taken down by January 10 or some other arbitrary date, isn’t it?
This year, December was manic around our home. My husband is a pastor, so December is a crazy month for obvious reasons. With two young children, we had parties, Christmas programs, and holiday get-togethers almost every evening in December, plus a nasty bout with the flu. We didn’t even really get to enjoy our Christmas tree, except for the day we put it up.
January hasn’t been much better so far. Two after-the-first-of-the-year-when-things-calm-down Christmas parties for dozens of friends and co-workers, hosted at our home. Another battle with the flu bug. Company in town two weekends in a row. Simply being too exhausted at the end of the day to pull out the ornament box. Taking the tree down has been low on the priority list.
So my tree is still up. And I’m okay with that. Because after the nuttiness of December and January, there is something oddly comforting and peaceful about sitting in front of the tree in the morning or evening, lights on, cup of coffee or wine in hand, enjoying the waning moments of yet another holiday season. Having the tree up works for me.
Maybe it doesn’t work for others. Maybe they think I’m crazy. I’m okay with that, too. I’m okay with that because having the tree up allows me those moments of holiday reveling that I didn’t get in December. I’m okay with that because my girls love the tree, helped decorate it (placing the bulk of the ornaments about 3-4 feet from the ground because that’s what they could reach,) and want to show it off to overnight guest we have had this month (and there have been a few.) I’m okay with that because it’s my tree, my home, and my decision – the best one I can make for my family and me.
Where in your life are you letting the expectations of others control your actions and feelings? Are you feeling like you “should” be doing this, that, or the other because someone else told you to or you think they will be judging you if you do anything else? Are you feeling down, silly, or disappointed because you feel you didn’t live up to someone else’s idea of “right?”
I encourage you to look at your options and make decisions based on YOUR best judgment. What’s right for you looks different than what looks right for me, and vice versa. Weigh your options, look at pros and cons, and make the choice based on what you know and feel in your heart to be best for you, rooted in your own values and priorities. Then release the judgment of others (you may have been just imagining it anyway) and stand firm in a well-made decision. You are intelligent. You are bright. And you are capable of making good decisions that work for you.
So my tree will probably be down by the end of the day this Sunday. It will be tucked away by February 1. But in the meantime, I am going to enjoy it. I will not allow the sight of it to make me feel in the least bit guilty. Maybe I will start a revolution: enjoy the holidays after they are over since December is so harried. I will give others permission to take a breath when the shopping, wrapping, socializing, cooking, and traveling is over – just to breathe in the magic and joy of the season. Then I’ll encourage them to gently and lovingly wrap and tuck those holiday items and the joy they bring away when they are ready, like presents to open again late in the year. Join me or not – it’s okay with me. Do what is best for you!
TODAY: Where in your life are you doing things just because someone said you should? How are you letting the expectations of others or what you think society dictates to control decisions that you should be making yourself? Trust yourself to use good judgment and make the decisions that work best for you. Release the opinions of others. Only you can truly make the best choice for you, taking into consideration all parts of the decision and valuing yourself and your own priorities. It’s tough, but stay true to what you know is best for you!
