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Finding Joy, Not Stress in the Holidays


Obviously I haven't been posting regularly. I have been trying to be intentional with my time, and haven't been prioritizing this. I have however been taking a mindfulness course and have been trying to start a regular meditation practice for myself (after years of planning to). More on that at a later time... 

When I scrolled my google headlines this morning, I did click on and quickly scan this one from CNBC: 12 tiny meaningful ways to feel happier this holiday season, says expert: They’re better than ‘faking joy’. With tiny things in the title, it has me hooked. I had also just finished a walk with a friend, which felt necessary and good. I do think we need these reminders to enjoy the little things, to take notice, and to not just accept a fate of being overwhelmed. One that stood out to me was to notice the positive - or neutral. As a self proclaimed realist, I've been feeling like there's a lot of negative energy around, a lot of complaints. I even reminded myself that people are doing the best that they can. So, I hope we can try to sift through everything and find the good. 

I know this time of year gets busy and overwhelming, even just with all the activities, volunteering, and fundraising at elementary school. We try not to overschedule our kids or ourselves, but I've even been feeling too busy and like we've been adulting too much lately. They will grow up, so I want to cherish these times with them, instead of being irritated by them. This reminds me to focus on quality time together, not just getting to another event or getting another item completed. 

The winter holidays can also be a time of comparison more so than other times of year. We envy the gifts or vacations of others. Our eldest has started to think this way a bit, so it has led to some interesting conversations on happiness and mindset. We have lots to be grateful for and hopes for the world in 2026. I've been trying to carve out time to read 'Joyful' by Ingrid Fetell Lee, but will have to focus more on that in the coming month, as I do feel a focus on joyfulness could do us all some good right now. We even sent in wishes to the San Francisco Grace Cathedral Tree of Hope and will send wishes to NYC for New Years Eve. 

Take a moment today, next week, bust sometime this month, to pause and see the joy around you. Happy Holidays!
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