Well here we are, right in the middle of the Christmas season and we have an whole new array of decisions to make every day. When will I do my Christmas shopping?  How much will I eat?  How am I going to deal with all those people in my house?

This is my favorite time of the year for many reasons.  Most of all, we get to celebrate the birth of Christ.  A very close second is that my kids will be home from college next week and we will have a few weeks to be a family together.  So much to do and so little time to do it.

It struck me today that for all the good things that come with this time of the year, also come “all those things.”  As if life is not busy enough already, now we have parties, eating, gatherings, getting ready for the college football bowl season, shopping, Christmas Tree Hunting, putting up decorations, did I mention eating?

OK, this is definitely one of the times of the year when we look forward to spending time with family and friends but let’s be honest – we are about to (if we haven’t already) start operating like the energizer bunny.  Go, go, go and then go some more. If we are not careful, it has all the makings of completely wiping us out and making it impossible to enjoy this blessed season.

So how do we make the most of the next few weeks?  My suggestion … put your self control in over-drive.  This is clearly much easier said then done but here are a few ways you might maintain some sanity:

SOCIAL GATHERINGS

This is the time of year when many of us feel the need to get together and celebrate Christmas, the New Year soon to be upon us or just about any other excuse to get together.  First of all, don’t feel like you have to go to everything you are invited to.  If you value the people that will be at the function, plan to attend and enjoy the time together.  This should be a chance to catch up and celebrate the reason for the season.

EATING

I probably have no business including this topic because I will fail.  So much good stuff and if I don’t eat it today, it will be gone tomorrow.  I think what I am going to try this year is to eat off a napkin instead of a plate.  You can heap a lot of stuff on a plate but it’s a little tougher with a napkin.  Besides, just think of all the calories you can burn hiking back to the buffet line to fill up your napkin!

SHOPPING

I have posted before on how I feel about stuff.  If you are reading this, you already have enough stuff.  This year give the gift of time.  Date night.  Movie night.  How about a gift certificate for a night or weekend away somewhere.  I was in a “big box” department store last week and I was stressed out by all the stuff.  Aisles and aisles of junk.  Give something meaningful.

CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY

Hopefully everyone will be including some time to focus on the real story behind Christmas. The birth of Jesus seems to be so easily forgotten amid the abundance of “celebration.”  If you don’t have a bible, just google “the birth of Jesus” and you will have the story right in front of you.

I know everyone has a full schedule to close out the year but with a little self-control exhibited in our planning, we can make the most out of this time.  If you are doing something that is stressing you out, think about what really matters – people.

“People won’t always remember what you said and they won’t always remember what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”

Focus your energy into the people around you this Christmas and create memories that will last the whole year.

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Barry Smith   www.buildingwhatmatters.com   12/14/12            photo by author