“I can rest my body and nourish my spirit, knowing that taking a grounded, present self to each holiday gathering is more important than the gifts I bring.” – Shauna Niequist

If you’re anything like me, you struggle with enough. Part of it is my Enneagram Type 7 nature, where I am a glutton for experiences and food and things and people. I want all of what life has to offer. As my friend, Lisa, and fellow Type 7 says, “I don’t want to look back on my life and see that I left anything on the table.” Amen, sister.

The irony is that, in my attempt to have it all and be it all, I miss so much. I am figuring out next weekend’s plans before I experience the festivities two days from now. I am planning my next trip before I’ve gone on the three I already have booked. I ordered a new weekly planner so I could maximize my goals and check off everything I want to do for 52 weeks in 2020 while there are still three left to go in 2019.

So, I am challenging myself to new ways of being. To being ok and even happy about saying no to events and yes to solitude. To saying no to more and yes to gratitude. To saying no to perfection and yes to rest, simplicity, and acceptance.

This holiday season, I might not show up with homemade cookies or a beautifully wrapped gift, but I know the best present I can offer is my fully here-and-now, authentic self. Sometimes late, sometimes messy, and always enough.

p.s. If you struggle with any of what I described above, I highly recommend Shauna Niequist’s book, Present Over Perfect.

[Photo: Christmas 2018 with my family]