Christmas carols flood the radio to herald this season of celebration. In addition, commercials bombard us with fashionable clothes, games, gadgets and must-have electronics. Our family had a mini-meltdown on Black Friday when my kids were insistent of going to the stores with the masses. Ron and I both agreed that we had no recollection of wanting to shop when we were 8 and 11 years old--especially on a day off from school. What happened to lounging in our pajamas, watching parades, and eating Sugar Smacks? Regardless we convinced the kids that Black Friday is essentially a ploy to make us compulsively shop in the same manner that Thanksgiving compels us to compulsively eat. I attest I can be persuaded to engage in both if I don't have a clear plan of action in place...and the pumpkin torte was quite persuasive!
This Thanksgiving we did volunteer to serve food at St. Mary's Parrish in Barton. This in itself was a unique plan of action, particularly since our service time was between 11am-1pm...kickoff of the Green Bay Packers. Although there was a small grumble of XY chromosome discontent initially, the family agreed that service should involve some degree of sacrifice...and sacrifice is a personal experience. (At the risk of being excommunicated from the Larson family, missing two quarters of the Packers game does not qualify as a sacrifice for me personally). The event was superbly organized by Mary Kay Brendl with local chefs preparing gourmet stuffing, turkey and dressing. I certainly could not have volunteered to prepare food as this was not Stove Top and instant potatoes! My family primarily served as waiters and waitresses. The church had beautiful china, utensils, and white linens...green friendly...no paper plates at all! They had planned to serve about 250 people however I think the numbers were a little less. No doubt, in this area of the midwest the Packer game can even take precedence over hunger. We still had plenty of time to visit Ron's sister and family for a delicious meal prepared by kin-folk! Our only instructions were to bring the wine--Done!
This service time reminded me of the importance of resisting the sense of frenzy....the "shoulds"....the tendency to become so absorbed by mass media's campaign to make us buy, eat, drink and be merry that we lose the quietness and joy present within the moments. If our default mode in times of stress is to eat and shop, this can be a dangerous time of year. I don't have the answers--just suggestions that I write for myself even more than for my readers simply as a testament to my personal plan of action.
1) Volunteer. I have seen a number of friends ringing the Red Kettle bell at Pick and Save! Kids love this--even in frigid Wisconsin temperatures.
2) Exercise. Fit it in rather than carving it out. Be ahead of the curve so that at New Years you don't have to make an exercise resolution but instead you continue the plan that kept you fit and sane during the holiday season.
3) Create new traditions, yet honor those experiences from your past. In our family on Christmas Eve we attended an evening candlelight service in South Florida followed by a meal from our wonderful cuban friend Matildo. He and his wife Maria would spend all day roasting a pig with delicious spices and then share an amazing portion with my family. He was our primary avocado picker on the farm...certainly did not have much money...and yet in the spirit of Christmas would generously gift this flavorful meal for our family. In addition he knew about 10 words of English and we knew 10 words of Spanish yet this friendship lasted for decades. Matildo's tradition with our family was about a relationship. I have to be careful that in my effort to create traditions that they build connections of the spirit, what's happening in my heart, rather than simply be an exercise of going through the motions. Don't be so tied to ritual that you miss out on the relationship. This year part of my action plan is a Sweet Treat exchange where moms, daughters, aunts, friends, grandma's share special recipes passed down from generations.
4) Pace Yourself. The food pantry needs food year-round, the Salvation Army needs donations year-round, the elderly and home-bound need assistance each day. It all does not have to be accomplished in the next two weeks. In fact, if I keep this spirit of gratitude and generosity throughout the year it likely makes a bigger difference to my family and community. Don't feel guilty if you can't do it all, but rather acknowledge, set a goal, and create a plan that you commit to service throughout the year.
5) Eat Fresh. Drink Water. Keep fruit, nuts, veges, oats, green teas readily available. Protein sources like fish, chicken and eggs as well as healthy fats like avocados and peanut butter satiate us in ways that high sugar drinks and treats fail our bodies. High sugar contents contribute to energy and mood extremes. Look for consistency in your nutrition which will add consistency to your exercise and energy levels.
6) Advent. A delightful Pilates client told me yesterday that her Christmas is different this year. She is intentionally focusing on this 4- week period of time called Advent, the anticipation of the Savior's birth. As a child we too used to mark the advent season with a special wreath of 5 candles. The 5 candles represent Hope, Love, Joy, Peace and the fifth candle, lit on Christmas Eve is the Christ candle. The candles remind us of the importance of spirit which ultimately is more significant than any sweater, gadget, or party. What a wonderful way to keep the fruits of the spirit at the center of the Christmas season.
If you have methods, strategies, or techniques to keep your family focused but not frenzied during this special time of year feel free and share them!
Thank you for reading.
This Thanksgiving we did volunteer to serve food at St. Mary's Parrish in Barton. This in itself was a unique plan of action, particularly since our service time was between 11am-1pm...kickoff of the Green Bay Packers. Although there was a small grumble of XY chromosome discontent initially, the family agreed that service should involve some degree of sacrifice...and sacrifice is a personal experience. (At the risk of being excommunicated from the Larson family, missing two quarters of the Packers game does not qualify as a sacrifice for me personally). The event was superbly organized by Mary Kay Brendl with local chefs preparing gourmet stuffing, turkey and dressing. I certainly could not have volunteered to prepare food as this was not Stove Top and instant potatoes! My family primarily served as waiters and waitresses. The church had beautiful china, utensils, and white linens...green friendly...no paper plates at all! They had planned to serve about 250 people however I think the numbers were a little less. No doubt, in this area of the midwest the Packer game can even take precedence over hunger. We still had plenty of time to visit Ron's sister and family for a delicious meal prepared by kin-folk! Our only instructions were to bring the wine--Done!
This service time reminded me of the importance of resisting the sense of frenzy....the "shoulds"....the tendency to become so absorbed by mass media's campaign to make us buy, eat, drink and be merry that we lose the quietness and joy present within the moments. If our default mode in times of stress is to eat and shop, this can be a dangerous time of year. I don't have the answers--just suggestions that I write for myself even more than for my readers simply as a testament to my personal plan of action.
1) Volunteer. I have seen a number of friends ringing the Red Kettle bell at Pick and Save! Kids love this--even in frigid Wisconsin temperatures.
2) Exercise. Fit it in rather than carving it out. Be ahead of the curve so that at New Years you don't have to make an exercise resolution but instead you continue the plan that kept you fit and sane during the holiday season.
3) Create new traditions, yet honor those experiences from your past. In our family on Christmas Eve we attended an evening candlelight service in South Florida followed by a meal from our wonderful cuban friend Matildo. He and his wife Maria would spend all day roasting a pig with delicious spices and then share an amazing portion with my family. He was our primary avocado picker on the farm...certainly did not have much money...and yet in the spirit of Christmas would generously gift this flavorful meal for our family. In addition he knew about 10 words of English and we knew 10 words of Spanish yet this friendship lasted for decades. Matildo's tradition with our family was about a relationship. I have to be careful that in my effort to create traditions that they build connections of the spirit, what's happening in my heart, rather than simply be an exercise of going through the motions. Don't be so tied to ritual that you miss out on the relationship. This year part of my action plan is a Sweet Treat exchange where moms, daughters, aunts, friends, grandma's share special recipes passed down from generations.
4) Pace Yourself. The food pantry needs food year-round, the Salvation Army needs donations year-round, the elderly and home-bound need assistance each day. It all does not have to be accomplished in the next two weeks. In fact, if I keep this spirit of gratitude and generosity throughout the year it likely makes a bigger difference to my family and community. Don't feel guilty if you can't do it all, but rather acknowledge, set a goal, and create a plan that you commit to service throughout the year.
5) Eat Fresh. Drink Water. Keep fruit, nuts, veges, oats, green teas readily available. Protein sources like fish, chicken and eggs as well as healthy fats like avocados and peanut butter satiate us in ways that high sugar drinks and treats fail our bodies. High sugar contents contribute to energy and mood extremes. Look for consistency in your nutrition which will add consistency to your exercise and energy levels.
6) Advent. A delightful Pilates client told me yesterday that her Christmas is different this year. She is intentionally focusing on this 4- week period of time called Advent, the anticipation of the Savior's birth. As a child we too used to mark the advent season with a special wreath of 5 candles. The 5 candles represent Hope, Love, Joy, Peace and the fifth candle, lit on Christmas Eve is the Christ candle. The candles remind us of the importance of spirit which ultimately is more significant than any sweater, gadget, or party. What a wonderful way to keep the fruits of the spirit at the center of the Christmas season.
If you have methods, strategies, or techniques to keep your family focused but not frenzied during this special time of year feel free and share them!
Thank you for reading.
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