We made it – it’s finally here. This is my favorite time of the year. For me the holidays are about traditions that I have started in my own home and a few from my childhood. Every year I’m excited and I look forward to trimming my tree, decking the halls, shopping for my family and friends, making breakfast Christmas Morning then waiting on my family to come over, experiencing all the fun things on my Holiday Bucket List and of course making our traditional Pepper Pot.

For the first time in 20 years I’ve broken my Holiday Traditions – the very things that makes my Holiday wonderful and that I look forward to each year. This year there’s no tree, no shopping was done, the halls aren’t decked, I haven’t experienced anything on my Bucket List and there’s no smell of delicious pepper pot at my house.

While I’m typing this, I’m a bit sad but I’m ok – I regrouped and experienced a shift in my mindset. Up until a few days ago I was frantically trying to hold onto my traditions and get a laundry list of things completed. That is, until I found myself overwhelmed and literally screamed “Stop Natasha” and that’s exactly what I did. I pulled my car over and I stopped. In that moment I had a major shift. I asked myself “what is important to you right now and what do you want?” I got clear and very quickly. I realized that it’s ok and I’m ok; I realized that I needed to rest, that I really needed it or I would not be able to enjoy much of anything and that if I had to choose one thing right there and then, it would be to celebrate with my family.

The days leading up to today I felt light, relaxed, at ease and more joyful. I began to truly appreciate the fact that I chose to see things differently and was completely honest with me.

This morning I woke and felt a little sad and immediately thought about staying in bed all day but my family made sure that did not happened. When my brother called to let me know he was on his way; I got out of bed, brushed my teeth, washed my face and put a few items in a bag and I was ready to go (yep I didn’t shower). I grabbed my coat, put on a pair of flip flips and I was out the door.

I had a wonderful day with my family, we ate breakfast (pepper pot of course), we laughed, we talked, we opened presents, I showered (finally) and played ROBLOX with my niece.

As I type this at 7PM I’m happy because this is one of the best holiday I’ve had in a while and I’m filled with a wonderful sense of gratitude, because of what I’ve allowed this Holiday to teach me:

I Learnt:

The real Joy during the Holidays does not come from the hustle and bustle of getting things done, it comes from know who and what’s important to us and placing our Focus there.

All the Presents in the World means nothing if you’re not truly present with those you chose to spend time with.

Memories are made every moment we’re alive, not only during the Holidays and they are made with or without Traditions.

Regardless of where I am in my Journey of Life, I have to trust Life’s Process and expect Miracles (I’ve experienced so many unexpected miracles over the past few weeks).

So my Dahlings our Holidays May or may not have gone how we  meticulously planned it but we can still experience Joy and the Sweetness of the Season. I wish each of you a Fabulous Holiday – May it be filled with Love, Joy, Laughter, Happiness, Family and Friends. I wish you receive whatever Miracle you’re expecting or praying for. I believe Magic happens this time a year, I truly do and my Hope is that you experience it fully and completely.

XXOO

NAT