Family. Traveling. Shopping. Eating. Gifts. Candlelight Communion. Cooking. Time off. Laughter. Did I mention eating? 👆😂

 

Christmas vacation looks differently for us all but most of us can relate to the Christmas Vacation movie. I don’t know about you but I keep finding myself hoping with all that is within me that these next couple of weeks are magical…the perfect time with the ones I love the most. I’ve been washing hands more and doing everything I can to keep us all healthy for our big trip in addition to praying of course for everything to be just great in every way. I’ve attempted to dot every i, cross every t and be perfectly prepared for a perfect time together. Next scene ~ I remember the movie Christmas Vacation & go into a straight panic within. Then comes to mind scripture that says “fear not” and “cast all your care on Me” and “do not worry”. Memory #3 ~  the book I authored and the chapter that talks about if/then happiness. I check myself…the choice to be happy must be made ahead of time before things go well or not. Then I think of the chapter titled Happy Perspective and my expectations become realistic and the need for perfection that clouds my mind clears away. That’s when worry subsides and I regain hope for a fantastic time with my family no matter what happens. 

Mind you, all of the above 👆 happens in a matter of a minute flat. You too? We all totally do this about certain things. We’ve got our hopes high for things to go a certain way and we neeeeed them to else our happiness is often hocked at a low, low price of a hiccup that caused something to be different than we planned. 

 

A couple of tips we can all apply for this to be the happiest Christmas Vacation ever: 

1- don’t worry about things changing due to a hiccup but instead determine now that it is what it is and for real for real the majic is in being with those you love

 

2- not if but when the toast burns, the ski rentals don’t fit and have to be adjusted taking time away from the slopes, you get on the road behind schedule, someone hurts your feelings, or whatever goes “wrong” remember this blog and know that “if/then happiness” is so shallow and is never what you are looking for anyway. Being happy ANYWAY is what we are all after. Sing ANYWAY! Laugh ANYWAY! Have a blast in the now whatever that is ANYWAY! If this is the perspective, you will find the majic you neeeeeed and this Christmas Vacation will work out just like it did in the movie!! 

 

Happy Monday y’all!