What is a lively Christmas? Do you deserve a lively Christmas?
Yes, you do!
Absolutely and completely!
Let me explain.
When Meaning Gets Lost
Have you ever noticed some words or phrases lose meaning after a while?
Do you ever say, “I’m sorry,” when it didn’t apply or help in any way? I know I do. I’m the queen of saying “sorry…” when I have nothing to apologize for.
How about saying “fine” when somebody asks how you are? Raise your hand if you are guilty of saying you are fine when you are holding back tears and barely keeping sobs from escaping your throat.
Words get overused. So much, in fact, that they lose their meaning.
Are You Merry?
I remember when my first baby had colic. I don’t think I slept more than 8 hours over an entire week. Saying I was exhausted is an understatement.
Then, a sweet friend of mine innocently commiserated. “I understand. I stayed up really late last night finishing a handmade gift.”
Now, there is quite a large canyon between willingly staying up to work on a project versus being tortuously sleep-deprived because of a tiny tyrant who has recently taken over the CEO position in your household.
The word exhausted had lost its meaning.
I feel like Merry Christmas has lost some of its meaning.
During the crazy, chaotic, and sometimes whirlwind activities that take place during the season, people wish each other “Merry Christmas” with great frequency.
But are we merry?
Lively or Merry?
The definition of merry is to be cheerful or lively.
Lively means to be full of life.
Doesn’t full of life sound exquisite?
It brings to mind pictures of fulfillment and contentment. A grounded feeling of being deeply satisfied in the moment.
What a fantastic feeling to possess!
I want to be lively during this time of year, which holds so much potential for great joy. I don’t want to worry about being too little, too late, or too poor in worldly or spiritual ways.
I want to be full of life!
My Lively Christmas
If I look at my life by the world’s standards, I might be disappointed. I suffer from nightmares and PTSD as I heal from an abusive relationship. I’m barely scraping by financially. My beautiful mother has started a journey with Hospice care.
If I look at my life with that view, I certainly don’t feel very merry.
But if I change my view just a little bit, I can see a whole lot more.
I am surrounded by beautiful friends and family members. I have support. I have love. I have hope.
It’s like looking through a telescope. With my naked eye, I only see a handful of stars sprinkled in the sky. But with the right lens, an entire celestial party sparkles down on me.
Instead of focusing on what I lack this year, I want to focus on what brings me joy. What makes me full of life?
The picture above is of my bedroom window. I have a string of white lights strung around the frame.
This brings me joy. This makes me feel full of life.
It’s a simple little thing. One strand of lights. You can see that it’s not professionally hung. It’s crooked and uneven. There is dirt on the window sill, and, indeed, it’s not a picture fit for a magazine spread. It’s imperfect.
But when I turn on that single strand of lights, my whole world lights up. I breathe easier. My load is lighter. The world is bathed in a warm glow.
I feel full of life.
Have a Lively Christmas!
Over the next few weeks, I encourage you to do things that make you feel full of life.
If you don’t want to send out Christmas cards — don’t! Make snow angels in the newly fallen powder instead.
If you are too tired to go to that party — don’t! Drink hot chocolate by the fireplace and listen to your favorite podcast with a smile on your face and soul.
There is no perfect recipe for feeling lively; everyone has their own personal version of a strand of lights that brings them joy.
Take a moment this Wednesday to think about you.
What makes you feel full of life? What would give you a feeling of a lively Christmas?
Then go chase down that feeling. You deserve it.
Have a lively Christmas, everyone!
For more help to get through the holidays, check out 5 Highly-Effective Ways to Beat an Overwhelming Christmas and Holidays For Those Who Are Hurting.
