Choosing to Balance Our Expectations with Reality During the Holidays

@bethvogt

Like it or not, the holidays are coming in the midst of a pandemic.

I don’t know anyone who likes it.

I also acknowledge each of us honor different holiday traditions: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa. Some of us may have even broken away from our original family customs. And in the midst of all of this, there may be other things we celebrate, like birthdays or anniversaries. My youngest daughter was born on Christmas Eve and we’ve always had fun celebrating her holiday birthday.

But there’s no ignoring the reality of COVID-19.

Despite our fervent hopes and prayers, the pandemic is creeping around, like an unwelcome Mr. Grinch – “… a monster … a foul one …”

 We load the holidays up with so many expectations, as well as a lot of lights and tinsel and special music and food. It’s as if all our bedraggled hopes and dreams will be fixed by this one month. The hustle and bustle, set against our childhood memories and our favorite Christmas movies – a blend of classic black-and-white with a healthy scoop of Hallmark – and scurrying to buy the perfect presents.

How do we balance the reality of life right now with all we really want?

We speak our expectations out loud – and we accept that they won’t all be met. We shouldn’t be surprised, right? When have all our expectations ever been met? White Christmases don’t happen every year. We’re not always home for the holidays. But just because life isn’t perfect doesn’t mean it can’t be good. Each day, we can look past the imperfections for the good. Maybe even write down one good thing we’re thankful for. Gratitude changes our perspective.
 We rise above the changes demanded of us to create something new. There’s no denying life looks different than a year ago. We need to sift through the struggles and determine to create something positive. Maybe this is the year we start a family Christmas letter – or resurrect one – as a way to connect with loved ones. Maybe we buy silly pajamas for everyone in the family – or just for ourselves – just because.
We hold onto treasured family traditions in spite of all the changes in the past year. As I wrote this blog post, my son-in-love, Nate, and daughters, Amy and Christa, discussed how Christmas would be different this year. How we would be separated from one another. And then Amy said, “But we can still caravan around as families and look at Christmas lights.” And suddenly, there were smiles on our faces … and laughter in the room as we remembered how, despite our best efforts, we always get separated during our annual drive around town.

In the midst of a less-than-perfect holiday season – has there ever been a perfect one? – I’m choosing hope, the most beautiful gift of the season.

Choosing to Balance Our Expectations with Reality During the Holidays https://bit.ly/37thJZh #perspective #expectations
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'Expectations were like fine pottery. The harder you held them, the more likely they were to crack.' Quote by @BrandSanderson https://bit.ly/37thJZh #expectations #perspective
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