Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. . .

By Jennifer Faherty | December 20, 2013
I don’t know about you but this week I have been feeling the STRESS of the holiday season.  If I look back, my emotional levels this time of year always seem to follow the same pattern:

  • a momentary blip of panic immediately after Thanksgiving as I think about everything that needs to be done in the next 30 days,

            followed by. . .

  • about a week of ELATION as I decorate the house, bake some cookies and joyfully hum along to Christmas songs on the radio,

            followed by. . .

  • escalating but still manageable levels of anxiety as I maneuver in and out of stores, wondering exactly what the limit is on my credit cards but happy to have found some great gifts,

           until finally. . .

  • full-blown, “yelling-at-my-kids, rushing-to-find-nice-shoes-for-them-to-wear-at-their-gazillionth-holiday-recital, endless-angst-over-our-family-Christmas-card-photo, panic-that-I’m-spending-way-too-much, guilt-over-wanting-to-do-more-for-charity, annoyance-because-my-husband-isn’t doing-nearly-as much-as me, and of course, shame-for-eating-way-too much-chocolate-and-drinking-way-too-much-wine” kind-of-STRESS!

Luckily, for me (and my family!), this last phase passes quickly and I usually find myself a few days before Christmas realizing that not everything is going to get done, not everyone is going to like their gifts or their holiday meal or get along, and not all the things that I had imagined at Thanksgiving will arrive with a perfectly tied bow on Christmas morning. 
 
Right around this time, I find myself letting go. 
 
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. . . and it’s not me.
 
I love this time of year.  Really love it.  I embrace all the ups and downs, the elation, and even the guilt, stress and running around.  It doesn’t always seem like I love it.  But I really do.
 
I especially love when I finally realize a few days before Christmas that I am not actually Santa Claus.  I am not a magical character that can make everyone happy.  I don’t have hundreds of little elves helping me make sure the holidays go off without a hitch, or flying reindeer if a storm comes.  I don’t even like to fly.

When I finally let go of the fact that I am not Santa—as I eventually do every year—that’s when miracles happen and I can truly enjoy everything that the holidays are about—giving, joy, love, peace.
 
Here’s wishing that your own version of Santa comes early and you can truly enjoy everything that the holidays bring this year!

xxoo Jennifer