This Holiday Season, I...

What happened to 2016?

It's such a cliche, and I'm sorry to use it here.  But seriously, this was the fastest year of my life.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.  Eleven months ago I wrote about how much I was dreading 2016.  Looking back, the things I was worried about came to be, along with some losses that weren't expected.  I'm ready to see this year go.

But a lot of good stuff happened too.  Fun times, and family, and celebrations, and Paris, and love. Lots and lots of love.  Mixed in with the sadness, there was so much happy.  Unfortunately, I often coasted through, missing the best parts.   I was too busy looking ahead, always worrying.

If I'm honest with myself, that's the story of my life.  I'm surrounded by so much goodness, so many blessings.  But I keep holding my breath, waiting for the difficult, or sad, or hard thing that maybe will happen.

There are only three weeks left in 2016, and they are days filled with joy and the magic of the Christmas season.  It's all there if I'll only let it be.

As I sit here writing, it's snowing for the first time in four years.  Everything is quiet and still, fresh and new.  I'm pretty sure there's a message in that snowfall.

So this holiday season, I....

Will slow the heck down.  I'll take a good look around, and focus on the happy.  I will take time, and make time, for friends and family, and myself.  I won't worry so much, and if I start to go there, I will simply take a deep breath and exhale.

But most of all, I will do everything from a place of love.  Love got me through 2016.  It's time to stop holding my breath, and give some back.


I'm linking up today with some great writers for Finish The Sentence Friday, and there's still time to join us!