Holidays can be so tricky…schedules, budgets, expectations, travel, blah blah blah. I am ever seeking the best way to make it matter. I also try to be reasonable and have a general “less is more” approach.

I find myself easily teary lately. It is only a tiny bit melancholy remembering a beautiful baby girl we met 8 years ago – gone too soon. Mostly it is that I am absolutely saturated with a grateful heart and so many blessings it doesn’t even make sense.

I’m surprised I got through the movie Annie with my girl without lots and lots of tears. Rather than tears I was noticing the bigger take aways for this time of year and in our life specifically. What struck me again was how she saved him. I’m always so taken in the exposure of the human condition. What happens when we take time to share our story?

It’s been a pretty great year. More than once I’ve had someone say to me in one way or another, “I’d love to hear your story.” I think there is maybe nothing greater you could say to someone. I met the most amazing fella. Watching my children share their stories with him is pretty cool – in their time…their way. Listening as we have dinner with my parents…hearing stories I’ve never heard before – watching people I love let one another in on the fabric of our lives…listening with care. It is really what it’s all about…why we’re here.

The world is a bit of a mess. I think good work is messy. We are changing the narrative and learning to see one another in new ways I think. It will get better. It has to get better. I think what looks like apathy or disregard might sometimes be just having no idea what to do. While watching Annie, I was thinking…foster parents are amazing, adoption is amazing, do it if you are called to – but look at all these people who were her village – look at the way she was there for her friends. Paying attention to what is right in front of you and looking to go a bit out of your comfort zone will usually do the trick. It is the doing small things with great love – no kidding.

That’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to be as healthy as I know how to be to stick around for my people for as long as I can, and I’m going to lean in to love and dream big and see what messes I can make.

These are a few of my favorite words right now:

Do less. be more.

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.

There is only love.

I’d love to hear your story…I really would.

❤
Merry Christmas
I wish you the very best tidings in all that you believe and hold dear.

DZ