I love Advent. Since I was raised Catholic the colors and some of the traditions of advent (like an advent wreathe) only become richer symbols to me as I get older. The anticipation of the greatest gift ever is exciting and I love having four weeks to be reminded to soak in that anticipation.
The first two weeks of advent were great. Christmas gifts were in their beginning stages of creation. The advent/Christmas banner was hung in the church. And I started rehearsals with the choir for our Christmas celebration. But by week three I was in a world of hurt. My calendar had become too full. I made too many promises to do things that sounded good but that couldn't get done unless other things (maybe even better things) were sacrificed. I teetered on the edge of my limits. I also hurt some feeling when I had to bow out of activities because I had become so over committed.
The one thing that kept me from losing my mind was to keep telling myself that I could learn from this experience. I could learn about what things were life giving and important for my connection to the season and which things I should probably not commit to next time.
One thing I really love to do is be available on short notice when others need a hand. Christmas time is busy for all of us and I love when I can be the type of person available to help on the fly.
So, I've created a few general guidelines that I hope will help me not become such an over committed mess next year. I'll let you know how it goes.
Anyone up for going to Disneyland for Thanksgiving?
Monday, December 31, 2007
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