It’s almost time to switch from our regular anxiety to our fancy Christmas anxiety.

A friend of mine posted this the other day. It’s funny because it’s true. It’s so easy to get caught up in the stress of creating perfect holiday moments. But as we have learned from all the Whos down in Whoville, the Holiday season doesn’t come from a store. It comes from the heart.

As I reflect on the changes and challenges of the past year, I am reminded of the importance of keeping it simple this Holiday Season. Nothing is perfect. It was never meant to be perfect. Perfection is and will always be an elusive and ever-moving target.

This has been one of the busiest years of my life. We are told we should not be so busy all the time and that’s probably true. But I am grateful for the busyness. I am grateful for the fullness of my life, the challenges and successes of my business, the opportunities my children have.

Focusing on what we have, makes us feel gratitude. We have so much to be grateful for. We may not have everything – whatever that means. But we have enough. We are enough.

New habits take practice. Love is an action. Let’s try to remember that this Holiday season and…

1. Spend more time. Our families don’t need any more toys or electronics.
2. Everyone remembers acts of kindness, no matter how small. Wish a store clerk a genuine thank –you.
3. Good -times are created by good company. No one cares about the organic cranberry sauce or artisanal mustard.
4. Every street person we see would love a new pair of wool socks.
5. No one remembers what we wore to the Holiday party last year. Wear the same thing again with different accessories.
6. Consider how fortunate and fleeting good health can be.
7. Go for a walk on the darkest night of the year. The city is full of lights and sights.
8. Believe in magic.
9. Take breath. Open your eyes. Celebrate each moment,

Wishing you and your loved ones health, happiness and peace.