Committing to Christmas

Each year it feels more and more difficult to get into the holiday spirit. When young, we happily fall victim to the red and green grasp of Christmas. When old(er), the realities of commercialism and excess spending strike a more honest cord.

As followers might have recognized, I generally get excited for Christmas come, oh, August. I think of it's chill, it's white magic and the smile it so whimsically places on the faces of friends of family, and it brightens my spirit immediately.

The chill....this year I experienced the chill briefly when I was fortunate enough to go home to Oregon for Thanksgiving. The immediate need for jackets, scarves and hot chocolate warmed my heart and set my passion for the season aglow.

But now it's back to reality and in the flow of work's demand, it feels as if the 23rd is both all too close and not nearly soon enough. With little bought and my brain a-stormin', I feel the stress set in. All in all, not the most inviting landing pad for santa and his sleigh.

But like many things, often the joy must be created from within in order to appreciate the time that is upon us. Creating your own happiness, triggering your own holiday spirit. So that's why I made the decision, starting this past weekend- I committed to Christmas.