I’ve always found it hard to end traditions because I can easily let the sadness swoop over me—how could something that brought so much joy be ending? And, wouldn’t you just know, my phone shared memories of last year’s party and it reminded me how much fun they’ve been.
A couple of hours after seeing the memories, I checked my email and had one about Ending Chapters. It talked about how we must let go of things if we want to make room for new and bigger things, and David and I are calling in lots of new BIG things. I’m also calling in new small things, too—I really want to feel more rested and more present this holiday.
This weekend, our Christmas tree arrived, and we had a few friends over for dinner and to decorate it together. As we opened up the boxes of decorations, my friend grabbed the lights and started hanging them on the tree, but it’s tradition—I do that job.
I quickly felt into it and realized that I didn’t care whether I hung lights this year, so I allowed my friend to do it. While the lights were being hung and the tree was being trimmed, I finished cooking the most delicious sausage and pea gnocchi I’ve ever eaten and got the table ready for us to eat.
While we ate dinner, I thought about how grateful I was for the four people I had around me, the amazing pasta, and how rested and present I felt during our small and intimate gathering. I looked over at the tree, and you know what? My friend did a fantastic job with the lights, and I realized that this year, if I wanted to be more rested and present, I was going to need to continue to change tradition. I know I’ll put the lights on the tree again, like I know we’ll host another big holiday party, but this year, I’m taking a pause, and that’s okay.
