Breaking the “Rules”-Christmas Continues for Me!

Phew!  It’s been a doozy of a year with a lot of awesomeness in 2014, which ended with a lot of stress/chaos in the last couple months (as you may remember from THIS post).  That being said, I’ve decided to make my own “rules” about holiday celebrations this year and am continuing Christmas!  I am celebrating the New Year at the same time and have already picked my “word” for the year (which I will be sharing in a later post).  One of the ways I live inspired is by doing things that bring me joy, even if it’s not the “norm” and even if that means dancing to the beat of my own drum when the world is playing a different tune.  I’ve never been much of a crowd follower anyways…

A sweet little tree filled with ornaments and dolls (sitting below) from my childhood. This sits in the garden room (3 season room).

Christmas came and went in a whirlwind for me.  I did get my shopping done early, but with all the family stuff we’ve had going on, my fiance having health challenges, and myself having some lately as well, I got “behind”.  I didn’t have my Christmas tree decorated until a couple days before Christmas and I had done zero baking or wrapping clear up until Christmas Eve night.  So there I was Christmas Eve night baking 2 kinds of cookies for gifts for the family Christmas the next day, and then doing ALL the gift wrapping.  I didn’t get to sleep until about 4 am.

I had to let go of my ideal of the perfect Christmas this year-or at least the perfect timing.  But- I LOVE Christmas.  It is my favorite time of the year.  I wanted to get all my decorations out.  I wanted to entertain people.  I wanted to spend time watching Christmas movies, baking cookies, spending time doing nothing with family, and spending time in quiet reflection of the miracles that the coming of Emmanuel brings.  A big part of why I was stressed was because I felt rushed and out of time.  I decided to take the pressure off.  I decided I wanted a do over and that Christmas for me would continue 😀 !

Each day after Christmas I have been doing different things.  I was still putting up Christmas decor 2 days ago!  I am not doing it because I feel I have to or because I am trying to “catch up” to anything.  I am doing it because it brings me joy!!  While many people are putting their decor away, here I am putting more up!  My kitchen, living room, dining room, and garden room are now all cozy with Christmas spirit and Winter wonderland magic.  Glitter and sparkle, and twinkle and lights in every corner.  The best part is that I now have time to sit back and relax and enjoy it all.  It makes me feel inspired and happy.  It makes the cold Winter season more cheerful.

I have spent a week off of the computer and have been getting up early mornings without any rushed plans.  Just me and the day wide open-living in the moment and doing whatever strikes my fancy.  And it is like a much needed soul vacation.   Have you ever tried taking a mini soul vacation by doing whatever would be fun to do in the moment (without any “shoulds”) ?  I am still doing the typical cooking and housework, but here are some of the fun ways I have been living inspired in the moment/Continuing Christmas the past week and beyond :

• taking early morning adventure walks
• baking Christmas cookies
• making surprise gift/treat deliveries to neighbors by leaving festive red boxes or gift bags at their doors (including Christmas cards too- even if it IS after the fact!)
• Watching Christmas movies ( I still have yet to watch Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”,  “The Grinch”-cartoon version, and Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas- all yearly traditions of mine.)
• Singing Christmas carols
• Reading a Christmas book- Mom got me Debbie Macomber’s  “Angels at the Table” (while sitting in my twinkle light bedazzled living room of course!) If you are in the mood for a good holiday romance, you can get the book I’m reading by clicking my Amazon affiliate link below:  

• Spending time with family- My brother and I are going to color in these cool stained glass window coloring books with the professional art markers I got him for Christmas
• Entertaining- I had my parents over for a candlelit dinner last night, and have 3 more Christmas dinners and/or teas planned for people in our community who needed a little Christmas cheer .  The next one is this Sunday!
• Knitting- I have not allowed myself the time to knit in forever.  I spent all afternoon yesterday knitting a scarf in the garden room.
• Spending time in gratitude, prayer, reflection, etc. as I thank God for the things He brought my way in 2014, and chart out some goals/plans for 2015

On a side note, we had a green Christmas here in Michigan and are just now getting snow! That just adds to the festivity of my continued celebrations.

Remember- Do what brings YOU joy.  Regardless of what the “norm” is or what is popular.  Celebrate life’s special moments.  Make them last if you want to like I am 😀 .  

Thank you for being on this journey with me as together “We Live Inspired!”,

With love , Rebekah

***If you’d like to hear the audio version of me talking about my continued Christmas celebrations, the first Inspired Living radio podcast of 2015 is now up.  Click the link below to listen or click HERE if you can’t see the link.  ***

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