As we enter "The Season," Take Care of Yourself

It's that time of year again.  Don't blink.

The months between Halloween and New Year's Day go by in an instant, and it doesn't seem to be enough time to make homemade giblet gravy, trim the tree or wrap the gifts, let alone meditate on the blessed baby Jesus.  What time and stress I recoup not having children to care for, buy for, prepare for, and attend the season's concerts and plays, I regain in nurturing my fledgling art business. It's the season, all right, the season for purchasing gifts. So I spend the next two months attending, exhibiting, volunteering in public events to promote commissioned paintings, special classes, or offer free classes to children through Spring Hill Parks and Rec Santa's Workshop and painting commissions that have a hard deadline, December 24 or sooner if shipping. 

Honestly, my Christmas Celebration only begins on Christmas Eve. The week between Christmas and New Year's is the first chunk of time I have to watch a Christmas movie marathon, bake & decorate Christmas cookies, and sip Egg Nog by the tree, that is if I've put up a tree. But even I know going full steam can only last so long without a time out for refueling mind, body, and spirit.  So I've invented a list of short, time out activities to nurture myself through the stressful holiday season and would like to share them with you, in hopes to help you navigate a beautiful, yet stressful and often emotional, time of year. 

1.  Select a Word or Phrase of the Season

I love to pick a "Word of the Year" to keep me on track of my pursuits. In 2018, it was Beauty. In 2019, it is Eudaimonia.  And in 2020, it will be Veriditas.  Silly, I know, but fun,  and surprisingly helpful. For the Christmas Season, my inner dialog repeats, "Let Love cover it."  Inevitably with temporary holiday staff manning wrap desks or delivering packages or waiting tables, I've interacted with less-than-trained employees or been cut off in traffic by a less-than-considerate motorists.  Instead of getting upset, I take a deep breath and whisper to myself, "Just let Love cover it."

2.   Take a Walk

At Windy Acre Cottage, there is always a dog or two who needs to be walked, so I hook up a leash, layer up in weather-appropriate gear and head to the River Walk or up to the town square. Sometimes I take my earphones and listen to music or a favorite podcast, but mostly I just want to be alone with my thoughts and commune with nature, breathing in the fresh air. Sitting is the new smoking, or so I've been told. Sitting too long painting or typing is not only unhealthy, but it's unproductive. A brisk 20-minute walk also lifts the spirits. 

3.   Take Time for Tea

Take time to make a special cup of  tea or coffee, not just to drink it.   Walk away from what you are working on and put on a kettle or pull out the French press or old-fashioned percolator.  Select a lovely and charming teacup and saucer, never a mug.  Enjoy the slow and old-fashioned preparations of making tea or coffee.  Choose Earl Gray with milk (never cream) or your favorite coffee with a seasonal Mocha-Peppermint cream. Goodness! Doesn't that sound delicious?  Excuse me while I go make a pot. 

4.  Take a short Nap or a Bath 

I live in a 100-year old, drafty cottage with hard wood floors and single-pane windows. It can get a bit chilly inside. If I'm cold,  I snuggle up to a radiator and then I get sleepy. If I'm sleepy, I'm not productive. Depending on the time of day, the list of to-dos that have to be done by days end, and how cold and/or sleepy I am, I will select a podcast and schedule it to play for 15 minutes on a a portable speaker. Now I can either get under the electric blanket and nap or I can fill the tub with hot water and bathe. Either way, I'll get warm to the core and feel refreshed in no time at all. 

5.  Call, Text or Jot a short note to a friend. 

Sharing a few words with an old friend works like a tonic on my mood, especially if we are sharing a fond memory or  silly joke.   If you don't feel like you have a minute to spare for a phone call, text first and say "Is it a good time for a 3-minute chat before my next meeting?" or something like that. You're busy. They're busy. This way you hear a friendly voice and maybe even make plans for a good, long chat later in the week or month. 

6.  Music

Music lifts the spirits.  If I'm writing, creating lesson plans, or doing a task that requires concentration, I choose to listen to instrumental music. Three of my favorite albums this time of year are George Winston's December, Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, and Glenn Miller Orchestra's In the Christmas Mood II.  I also like Vivaldi's Four Seasons, although it makes me think of a jewelry commercial.  And the Charlie Brown Christmas album take you back to a time when there was nothing stressful about Christmas, only that it couldn't get here soon enough. 

   

7.    Re-evaluate and just say, "No" 

I've been beating myself up to find the time to paint a scene from Radnor Lake to get into the Chestnut Group Radnor Lake show in early November. I've only known about this art show for a year now, but have procrastinated and now am having trouble fitting everything in. It finally occurred to me that although it's an important priority, it not the top one. In fact, it's not even in the top 3. I may have to let this opportunity go. Or not. Still trying to carve out the time. 

8.    Re-evaluate and create a better solution

I've been feeling the stress lately trying to get all the details worked out for the November Adventure Awaits! Illustrated Travel Journaling workshop. At first I thought we would be going to Milky Way Farm, but it didn't pan out. Then I pursued a day painting at Traveler's Rest. Again, back to the drawing board. Then I received a message from a friend and student suggesting Cannonsburgh Village in Murfreesboro. What an excellent idea!

With the weather being too unpredictable this time of year, I asked if the Murfreesboro Art League would allow us to use their studio located in Cannonsburgh for a warm, dry place to paint. And although it looks like we can work it out, the green light has not yet been given by its board of directors for me to include the workshop on the November calendar going out in this newsletter. Instead of feeling additional stress by holding up the newsletter, I've decided to publish it and send out a supplement when we get the green light. And if we get a red light, I've already finalized plans for December, and we are already looking forward to painting at the Belmont Mansion at Christmastime. 

9.   Stay present in the moment

Nothing will rob you of the joy of Christmas faster than your mind enumerating the tasks to be done or worrying if your sisters will get along during the upcoming visit, etc, while you should be enjoying a party, or church service, or grandchild's Christmas program. Compartmentalize and live in the moment.  

10.   Re-frame "The Season"

Although the world starts Christmas tunes on November 1 and the twelve days of Christmas is really 55 days, I allow myself to stay decorated and celebrate to January 6, which is Epiphany or Three Kinds Day, the supposed day the wise men found the baby Jesus and give him their gifts.   Celebrating Christmas well into January helps with a closet full of favorite Christmas DVDs or a subscription to Netflix to play Christmas movies or vintage TV Christmas specials. And most every one can download Pandora to play Christmas music any time of year.  It doesn't hurt Egg Nog is on sale at this time.  The packages will have all been unwrapped, but as the Grinch pondered... Christmas isn't about ribbons or tags, or even packages, boxes or bags.

This time of year we are entering is about "Oh come, all ye faithful," "Joy to the World," "Peace on Earth." It's about family, old friends, new friends, and  goodwill towards mankind.  It's about honoring old traditions and creating new ones. It's about gratitude for loved ones who are near, and reflecting on the lives of loved ones who are no longer with us to enjoy another Christmas around the tree.  For many, it's about honoring our heavenly Father who went his only Son to be born a man and cherishing the Son for leading us home and back to the Father.  For other's it's about Santa Clause, Poinsettias, Yule logs, or Menorahs, games of Dreidel, latkas, and chocolate gelt. And even others, it's about the sun returning and longer daylight hours ahead. 

The point is, Christmas is what you make it. And hopefully, this time of year will inspire you to keep Christmas in your heart all year long. 

I hope these few suggestions come in handy as you get ready for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.  And I send you warm and happy thoughts, light, love, joy and blessings for a wonderful Season.