It is finally here! For many, the crescendo of the entire year has arrived. All of the carefully orchestrated plans have fallen into place. Now we can sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labor. It may be gift overload and credit card debt or quiet, simple and peaceful. Whatever your situation is, will it meet your expectations?
WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?
Remember to recognize that along with expectation can come disappointment. Disappointment is a normal human reaction when expectation doesn’t align with reality. Occasionally it is beyond our control but often we set ourselves up to be disappointed. How do we avoid this?
WHAT I REALLY WANTED…
That package gets ripped open in anticipatory elation because I know it is exactly what I asked for and had my heart set on for Christmas this year. “You shouldn’t have! You didn’t. Wow, underwear and socks again. Gee thanks.” Take heart. Perhaps it won’t be that bad. Maybe you’ll get jammies again, another scarf or perhaps that coveted 2025 desk calendar. Many expectations are higher than reality.
A FEW YEARS BACK
A few years ago around Christmas time, my daughter asked me if I remember the gift she gave me the previous year. Admittedly, I had no clue. Coincidentally, she didn’t remember my gift to her either. She did remind me that for a time, when we ran out of original gift ideas, we exchanged gift cards in the identical denominations. How original. In her early adulthood, I believe she is wise beyond her years. She suggested we forgo the obligatory, perfunctory exchange of material gifts. Instead we will share a special meal, bake cookies, spend time together and make memories. That is a perfect gift in itself that we have exchanged for the past several years.
MR. GRINCH
It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!” Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! “Maybe Christmas” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
-Dr. Seuss
TIME
Whether you produce that expensive, perfectly orchestrated Pinterest Christmas experience or you anticipate a simple celebration with a cozy fire, good food, family or friends, make it count. Along with unconditional love and acceptance, time is one of the most important gifts you can give.
“Time is free yet priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.”
-Harvey MacKay
HDD
First and foremost this holiday season, above all else, take time to love, appreciate and nurture yourself. If you aren’t whole and well, you can’t be expected to be present and available for others. When you have the gift of good health, you have the greatest gift of all. From all of us at High Desert Diagnostics, we wish you the very happiest holiday season!