Fa la la la la.......

Aaah the holiday season is upon us! Gosh, is it September already? Just kidding… 

The hoopla just seems to start a tad earlier each year and no matter the griping and grumbling we’ve all become accustomed to the early fall countdown. At this rate, Christmas in July may actually be realized as soon as 2020. Hindsight not included!  

This seasonal juggernaut is so momentous that it allows for overshadowing the “less” meaningful holidays. You can find your Halloween treats to left and your candy canes to the right. Certainly adds a touch of pizazz to the confectionery isle.

The clock really starts ticking as we slide into the official “kick off” traditionally marked by Thanksgiving. Oh you betcha and thankful we are. No worries about falling behind on your shopping courtesy of the barrage of “Black Friday” advertisements. Even if on the brink there’s always “Cyber Monday”.  That’s new age for just in case you slackers missed out on Black Friday!

Growing up it was far less sophisticated, not to mention there were no Santa variations e.g. Chippendale Santa sporting suspenders in lieu of a jacket just to show off his six pack. I suspect the Atkins diet is to blame.

Nope, nowadays the holiday season is a well oiled machine with pre-sales, during sales, don’t buy into those sales sales that tend to induce a mob mentality leaving us so frazzled that our only reprieve is through holiday partying. Nothing like a few eggnogs to take the edge off. 

Adding to the merriment is the beloved holiday traffic. “It’s the most Mario Cart time of the year!” Go ahead and sing along…it works right in. Frankly, I’m going a little Ebenezer on this one and assert that using your ATM in UNDER a minute should be the litmus test for a driver’s license. If not, the machine should suck that card into an unknown vortex while remitting a resounding buzzer and flashing “EPIC FAIL” across the screen. Mmmm hmmm, just a dream; meanwhile there’s a woman in a Prius attempting a five point turn into a head in parking space.  Joy to the world J

Yet even with all the chaos, this is still one of my favorite times of the year.  I adore the decorations, the music and the overall whimsical feel to it all. Rest assured it still exists if you look close enough to see past the material cloak.

As a child, something as simple as watching animated shows like “A Charlie Brown Christmas” or “Frosty the Snowman” rendered great enjoyment.  Even to this very day, I still love them because they’re reminiscent of a magical time that offered a temporary pass into the realm of make believe.

The past couple of years have dramatically affected my approach to the holidays and not necessarily by choice. Gone are the days of rushing around to acquire as many “thoughtful” gifts as I could muster. I concede that I really miss giving to that extent because it was often more gratifying than receiving though I can’t say I miss the mall.

Without the conventional practices it’s been challenging to find a joyful purpose during this season.  Now that I have a niece and nephew, I’m a little torn because when you hear “Christmas is for children”, it really resonates with me. There’s a part of you that wants to give them anything and everything just to see their beautiful little faces light up with happiness. However, I think my niece would enjoy ripping apart bows or jumping around in the discarded wrapping paper just as much if not more than the new toy that we just bought her.

Nevertheless, I suppose the entire point of this year end finale is to acknowledge what we truly value in our lives, regardless of what that may be.  It could be any number of things, a wonderful career, lovely home, beautiful friends or a family to share this time with. Now now…albeit family can be some of the most annoying people in our lives, we still wind up sharing our biggest moments with them.

So while I mine my way through this year’s festivities, I can still appreciate the holiday tchotchkes and trimmings while listening to Christmas music and enjoying an occasional hot chocolate. I’ll consider this time a closure process for another year of miracles and disappointments that paves the way to the next phase of life; being that I'm fortunate enough to have that option.

The realization that I couldn’t embrace this season because it signifies celebration and felt there was so little to celebrate for only reinforced how far I’d drifted from what is genuinely meaningful. Unable to partake in the so-called reindeer games left me feeling displaced, not ungrateful yet unworthy of holiday cheer. It’s no surprise that this time of the year can prove to be the most delightful to some and the most depressing to others.  

Not pioneering insight by any means because to some extent we all know that tangible gift giving isn’t what it’s all about; or do we?

I’ve decided to take on this season with a “What would you do if you only had three weeks left in the year” attitude. Yes, I realize I’m stating the obvious.

Nevertheless, I will create my wish list (yeah, I’m making one) by giving much thought to the things I believe would truly bring happiness. Offhand it won’t be anything you could possibly find in a store or gift wrap. Those things can be quite nice but I prefer not to squander my wishes this time around.

Of course if some Christmas elves want to pop by with a few gift cards, I’m certainly not opposed. J My wish for you is to make the coming weeks some of the most memorable in your own unique way. Happy Holidays!

In case of emergency

Don’t panic! A phrase seldom taken literally but more commonly used as a colloquial expression.  Regardless, the general consensus asserts that panicking rarely helps matters even though I suspect that most of us have at one time or another. 

Sometimes it’s simply unavoidable and our circumstances elicit emotions that produce a knee-jerk reaction. There’s a primal aspect to all of this since the ability to arouse a sense of urgency is essential to our survival functions.  “Danger Will Robinson!”

Unless you live in total obscurity, you’re probably cognizant of the ever present turmoil that wreaks havoc throughout the world. Whether it’s political fallout, natural disasters or any number of tragic events, these hardships seem overwhelming at best and surely give way to panic.

When “Life” reaches an impasse, what is an appropriate or even better, a healthy response? The walls have crumbled, the sinkhole is deepening and the need to face your fears is moot because your fears have come to face you. Dun dun dun……

Is it feasible to sit in the “eye” of the storm and wait out the devastating effects? Frankly, having the presence of mind to remain grounded in an unstable environment is no easy task.

However, more often than not I believe we panic over things far less threatening, though it may not feel that way at the time. Whenever we’re entangled in adverse circumstances it slowly chips away at our determination. At the very least our motivation is hampered and we’re left renovating a defeatist attitude.

Let’s ponder using a facetious anecdote with me as the sacrificial lamb.    

Awhile back, I became reacquainted with a former colleague whom I hadn’t seen in over a decade. While catching up over coffee we volleyed back and forth and at one point he shared that he’d been married for eight years but unfortunately it didn’t work out. Typically, in the spirit of quid pro quo came my turn to share. My offering; “Nothing to report here just happily adrift with no casualties”. Relax, those weren’t my exact words but still, the silence was deafening.

Bless his heart; he traipsed through that mine field like a sumo wrestler in stilettos. “Really, he asked?” while trying to mask his utter state of disbelief. “Don’t you think men will find it a turn off that you haven’t been married by now?” “You’re not afraid that you’ll never find love?” Well, I wasn’t but thanks for that!  Judging by his facial expression he seemed concerned enough for both of us.

Frankly, I wasn’t aware that marriage and love were synonymous even though I knew that wasn’t his point. If the customary window for marriage has been missed and calls for consternation then I inferred those who have been divorced at least once can kick back and relax. Duly noted! Clearly this case scenario hardly seems worthy of true panic, although people panic for less. In this case, I think it has more to do with the idea that one could live out their days alone. Trust me, it isn’t supernatural.

You see, I think panic serves as a smokescreen for the true culprits that weigh heavily on us i.e. self-doubt, loneliness, fear of failure etc. These are the very attitudes that stir our uneasiness and catapult us into misery.

When the stigma of failing to achieve the very things that we have been conditioned to believe are revered, admirable and conventional; panic seems apropos. The conundrum occurs when attempting to measure one’s life against these prevailing standards without regard to our own unique needs and developments.

The notion that we are relegated to conform solely for the purposes of outside acceptance or become ostracized is simply a fallacy.  Life isn’t “one size fits all”! Even the items that purport to be never are.

Ergo, if this panic button truly exists, then I can honestly say that I have hit it!  Not once but several times, just to make sure. And what has come of it, you ask?   I surmise that the “button” was designed to interrupt an unfavorable state and summon assistance, a truce of sorts.

So I encourage you to take a stance and push that button! Set yourself free and stop the madness. Supposing I’m right, my only grievance thus far is wondering when that assistance going to get here already! Remember, impatience is a virtue J