Ali's Welcome
Special Encore Column - Originally appeared in the December 2008 issue.
Happy Holidays!
While the song goes, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” I know many of us beg to differ. (I much prefer summer myself!) But alas, you can’t change the calendar, and you can’t change your family.
But you CAN approach this season in a whole new mindset this year, and I invite you to do so. The winter holidays are a great time to shine, and that’s what this entire issue is about!
And when I say shine, I don’t mean just amping up the wattage of your tree lights this year. I’m talking about YOUR wattage! If you’re feeling a bit like a burnt-out blinky-bulb, beware—you may be entering a holiday rut.
As we’re entering the season of giving, you need to remember to give to yourself also. But I don’t mean a shopping spree at Neiman’s. I’m talking about adequate rest and pampering in order for you to be your best—to shine—for loved ones around you.
Running around in circles won’t help you to have a storybook holiday.
(It will likely resemble something more along the lines of a scary novel!) Women are typically labeled the holiday-makers in the home, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it all. The more calm and happy you are, the better a holiday it will be for everyone!
Why not try something new this year? For example, last year, one woman I know talked her husband and kids into ditching the usual home festivities, presents and all, and booked a tropical cruise over the Christmas holiday. She estimated that the money they spent on the trip was actually less than what they usually spent feeding all their relatives and overdoing the gifts and decorations! They had their best Christmas ever and returned from the holidays tanned and relaxed. And as it turned out, all those relatives they worried about leaving behind actually enjoyed spending the holiday with others for a change.
About 13 years ago, my own mother, after years of slaving over the stove and dealing with everyone bickering and complaining during our holiday meals, finally said, “That’s it! No more! We’re going out to the local inn for dinner.” It actually worked out better for all of us since we didn’t fight in public, there was no overstuffing ourselves on seconds, Dad put on some pants, and, truth be told, the food was better. It started a lovely new family tradition we still honor today. (Sadly, without my dad as he passed in May. But I know he still approves!)
The trick is to remember what the holidays are about—love and celebration! And that includes giving those to yourself, too, because you can’t live your good fortune without allowing yourself to shine.
Love and Success,
