What’s your idea of the perfect Christmas celebration? Or even a December eve, in general? Call me old-school, but I don’t think I’m alone in my appreciation for snow outside, Bing Crosby songs, fire blazing, a giant Christmas tree and loved ones all around. No doubt, the night also consisted of taking in It’s a Wonderful Life, and the whole day wasn’t exactly sparse in calories ha.
So, why is it that we also talk about this time of year as our most stressed time of the year? What all contributes to feelings of the exact opposite of the setting that I just described? Contributing factors start off with a bang when the very night of our ‘Day of Thanks,’ is full of pushing and shoving and buying and envy. Commercialism doesn’t really deescalate for an entire month, as you sure as heck don’t wanna be the uncool Aunt Judy who bought your nephew underwear for the 7th year in a row. The pressure to find the perfect gift is on in addition to celebrating in multiple locations (for many of us). Thus, work schedules need to be accommodated, travel plans need to be made, and there are ALWAYS last-minute logistic alterations that can easily lead one to feel out of control. Add in the Coronavirus pandemic, and the certainty of traditions that have been held for decades galore suddenly come into question. Where do you find peace, solace, tranquility and all that this year? Isn’t that what Christmas is about?
Now, if 2020 has given us anything, it’s time: time to reflect, time to reprioritize, time to view life a little bit differently. I hope that you have been able to take advantage of this opportunity. And that’s exactly what it was/is: an opportunity. That being said, I don’t want to breeze over the fact that some of us have lost loved ones whom we held very dear. So while this year has been different, perhaps it wasn’t exactly positive for you. We, at Health 1st, wholeheartedly empathize with you, and do not take any day that we can proactively help you in your own health journeys for granted.
After having this sad reminder thrust in your face, where do you go from here? Do we just try to “get through the holidays,” and 2020? Sure. You can push through. But, let me also challenge you in this: what’s the end goal when you embrace this perspective? Where and when will you find comfort and relief? Is it the proposed vaccine? Is it merely for January 1 to come around? Is it for the Vikings to FINALLY win the Super Bowl? Point blank: where are you placing your hope?
If you’ve been following this blog for any extent of time, it’s no secret that I believe in Jesus as Savior from sin. Thus, CHRISTmas is so much more than gift bags, and crappily wrapped boxes (still trying to figure it out lol). It’s about HOPE and redemption and forgiveness and new life found in Him. And quite frankly, that’s why they call it faith. It’s because you put your trust into something that you can’t see.
My encouragement therefore, is to put your hope in something that will last, this Christmas season. Vaccines, political promises, 2020 to be over, Vikings Super Bowl rings…they can all seem to be IT: the culmination of everything that we’ve hoped for. Nirvana. But these will all fade and nothing can quite fill that void. Different interferences to life come and go and (not to be a pessimist but) no one knows how we will respond to this new vaccine. Thus, my personal advice during this stressful Christmas season and year that has been is to do one thing: re-center.
- Ask yourself the tough questions.
- Put your hope in something (or Someone) that will last.
- (Preview for next week): Set some goals! Don’t let 2021 just happen! How will you attack the New Year??
Lastly, be sure that you destress. Once you’ve braved the elements of flying shopping carts and flurries of greedy hands, come back home and think about what brings you joy this Christmas season! Get back to the reason for the season. Oh. And you’ll probably wanna do whatever that thing is while singing, “Silver Bells,” along with Mr. Crosby. Just saying…Merry Christmas!
Until next time,
– Brock Baumgarn, CA, Nutrition Consultant, Health 1st Chiropractic