Our Think Write Thursday topic for today is to write about holiday spirit. What does it mean to have it? Do I feel like I have it this year? Why? Or Why not?
Do I have an abundance of holiday spirit? A trace of holiday spirit? Or am I decidedly Scrooge-like?
And my answer to those questions is simply this – it depends on what day you ask me – okay, maybe even what minute you ask!
For me the question is really this: is my holiday spirit external or internal?
If it is external – then I would say my holiday spirit looks well in place. There is evidence of Christmas in this house – the tree is up – and the light issue has been fixed, presents are being wrapped, gifts are being sent off, and Christmas music is ringing though this house.
However, if it is internal – then I admit that some days my holiday spirit has completely vanished.
However, peace knitting has done wonders for the holiday spirit level – those forty-five minutes or so of contemplative knitting have been a real boost to my inner peace! Add to that the snowfall we got the other day has definitely helped move the holiday spirit level in an upwards direction.
So where does that leave me?
Truthfully, holiday spirit is a work in progress for me this year. I have really focused on the preparation time that Advent is giving me. Some days, I manage to fill the holiday spirit void more than others – but each day there is some filling taking place – even if it is only a drop or two.
I hope that by the time Christmas gets here, these words will ring true for me, “So here’s to the joy of Christmas. Here’s to the ones I hold dear. May you all have that Merry Christmas feeling, all through a happy new year.”
If you’d like to join Carole and I in this writing journey, we would love to have you! You can sign up here!
Work in progress here too. I feel like I am in good company
I am totally a work-in-progress this year. But, y’know? I think that’s okay. There is so much “expectation” out there . . . to make this time of year “special” and spirit-filled. I think the words at the end of your post hint at the solution: “may you have that Merry Christmas feeling, all through a Happy New Year.” Maybe we are feeling pressured to cram “Christmas spirit” into 3 or 4 weeks of the year — when we really ought be spreading it out all year long! Here’s wishing you joy and peace . . . this next week and ALL the time! XO
ditto. and ditto 🙂
Agreed – we all need to find the feelings of joy, peace, contentment ALL year long. I don’t tend to make new year’s resolutions, but working towards this might be a goal.
Yes!! It’s been a work in progress here for several years — and sometimes the “progress” isn’t so great. But really, it’s whatever works for me and my family from year to year and I am totally ok with that. Peace, Love & Joy to you, this Christmas… and always!
Yes, we should share peace, joy,& love all year long!
I’m feeling very scrooge-like this year. I have no decorations in my house, because I have NO TIME!!! Ugh. I HATE that this is the way it is this year. Also, because Christmas is on a Sunday this year, we have no extra time off this year at work. We do get holiday pay (6 days paid instead of 5), but no extra days off. Double ugh!!!
Wishing you peace, love, and joy to you today and all of the days!
Yup, process and progress, not perfection. It may not be the Christmas that Martha Stewart or Hallmark make us think we should have, but it will be your holiday, and I’m fairly sure you have plenty of of love and peace, even if you’re not completely filled with them every single day. Let us savor our memories, look forward, try new things, be honest, and be glad for our work-in-progress selves. XO
Thanks for sharing those charming Christmas tunes. I know it’s remarkable for a non-knitter to be part of this blog hop; that “peace knitting” sounds delightful but for me would be “frustration knitting.” I will stick to enjoying a book by a warm fire 🙂
I like the way you talked about the difference between external spirit and internal spirit. Internal spirit is definitely a work in progress and something we should think about often, not just in December. Here’s to peace and joy ALL the time.
Too much of Christmas is expectation and obligation. Our goal is to keep it simple and make it joyful.
I’m so glad that peaceful knitting is helping with your holiday season. Being Jewish, I just enjoy the cheer of the season without any stress. However, I’m a wreck before Passover!
Everyone has hit this topic square on the nose. I’m taking it way easy and that seems to be my modus operandi with each successive year, lately. I just enjoy the lights and the music and my grand nieces are easy to “shop” for: a trip to the bank for $$$ always hits the marks.
Cheers~
I am happily in the holiday spirit inside and outside (except for the baking…) I have everyone coming here and I’m excited about that!