Holiday Death Spiral

Posted by laurieetta on December 19, 2015 in Being Human | 2 Comments

Today I got an email from Donald Miller who talked about HDS (Holiday Death Spiral). He said it was: “That deadly infestation of lies that hits us in the holidays where we start thinking calories don’t count and budgets don’t matter.” Because, after all, whatever we do now, we can correct in the New Year.

It made me chuckle because what makes it funny is that it’s true. Are you caught up in the busyness that creates HDS? Every year I swear this year will be different and I will have my cards done by Thanksgiving and presents bought with enough time to wrap them at a leisurely pace. I’ll bake things ahead of time and freeze them. And I’ll decorate a little each evening instead of a marathon decorating day that just about kills me.

Well, I’ve failed on all those accounts. But that’s OK. The older I get, the less concerned I am about getting it all right. I used to think I had to have everything perfect; now I’m just glad if I get everything done. And if I don’t, no one will die. No one will even get slightly hurt. Sure, it’s a little crazy, but I’m not going to let that steal my peace.

Instead I will try to choose to be grateful that I have people to send cards to, money to buy presents with, the ingredients I need to bake goodies, and a house to decorate. I might redefine the HDS as getting so caught up in what we have to do that we forget to be grateful for what we have.

So whether you’re the super organized type that is all ready for the holidays, or whether you are like me, try not to get caught up in HDS. Try to keep your focus on what you have, not on what you don’t have.

Being Human connection: My prayer for you: that the peace of Christ which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7), especially during this crazy season. Merry Christmas!