'unplug
the Christmas machine' -
book review
by Ramona Creel of OnlineOrganizing.com
What comes to mind when you think of THE HOLIDAYS -- joy and goodwill,
hot chocolate and carolers? Or crowds and stress and spending too
much money? In western society (if not all over the world), Christmas
is no longer a spiritual event -- it's a commercial competition.
We seem to have traded QUALITY for QUANTITY -- it's all about who
can put up the most decorations, who can throw the most elaborate
party, and who has the most gifts under the tree -- and the true
meaning of the season is lost in a mad rush to bake, shop, and entertain.
As Jo Robinson and Jean Staeheli point out in "Unplug The Christmas
Machine," we often forget to focus on the truly important things
during the holidays -- friends, family, community, and our own personal
growth. We mistakenly think that if we work hard enough and long
enough, we can create a PERFECT holiday -- when we would enjoy the
season much more if we spent that time with the people we love.
But don't fear -- help is on the way! Jo and Jean have developed
a three-step process for helping you re-align the holidays with
your values and create a truly memorable and meaningful Christmas:
TAKING STOCK -- YOUR CHRISTMAS INVENTORY
As with everything in life, you can't know where you want to go
until you know where you are. Jo and Jean will help you confront
the ghost of Christmas past -- what has worked and what hasn't during
other holidays. You begin this exercise by examining your traditional
holiday PREPARATIONS -- sending cards, trimming the tree, planning
parties -- noting activities that you really enjoyed and ones that
simply felt like a burden. Then you are asked to eliminate the "burdensome"
ones from your to-do list -- either find someone else to do them
or just don't do them at all!
It seems like such a simple exercise, but most people think in terms
of things they "HAVE TO" do rather than asking if they "WANT TO"
do it. As Jo and Jean point out, once you realize that the entire
holiday season is voluntary, you can make much smarter decisions
about what is really important. You then repeat this process with
each aspect of the Christmas season -- with whom you spend your
time, how you spend your money, your holiday traditions, the gifts
you give, how you take care of yourself and your family, your spirituality,
and your contribution to the community. In each category, you must
decide what to keep and what to let go of -- what is a PRIORITY
and what is not. Give it a try -- it's very freeing!
YOUR CHRISTMAS VALUES
AND FANTASIES
Once you have taken a look at the things that really matter during
the holidays, it's time to examine your VALUES at Christmas. Jo
and Jean have boiled down the essence of the season into 10 core
statements -- some relate to the ROLE you hope to play during the
holidays (peacemaker, creator of a festive home environment, active
member of your church), and some deal with your EXPECTATIONS for
the coming Christmas (that you will be able to celebrate with friends,
relax and renew, reunite with relatives). Once you decide how you
would rank those statements in order of importance, you have a basic
sense of where your holiday values lie.
Then it's time to let your fantasies run wild. Jo and Jean ask that
you imagine a "deeply satisfying Christmas celebration" -- not the
cliche "perfect" Christmas, but one that would fill you with PEACE
and JOY. What would that involve -- having everyone you love near
you? Having quiet time for yourself to reflect on the past and plan
for the coming year? A holiday without fighting or tension or hurt
feelings? Or maybe just a season where you can enjoy all of the
holiday traditions -- sending cards, wrapping gifts, decorating
the tree -- without feeling stressed.
CREATING A CHRISTMAS PLAN
Finally, you are asked to consolidate your holiday inventory, values,
and fantasies together into a PLAN for the coming Christmas season.
Jo and Jean make this process much easier than it sounds, by breaking
your plan down into small, easy-to-manage steps. First, you must
decide what your major GOALS are for this Christmas -- in order
of priority. Your goal may be to spend time with your children creating
traditions that they can carry on for years to come -- or to be
involved in charitable holiday activities in your community -- just
make sure that your goals are in alignment with your core values.
Then, you simply LIST THE STEPS that you will have to take to accomplish
each goal. You may make a list of holiday activities you would like
to participate in with your kids -- making a gingerbread house,
looking at lights, telling stories. Or you might decide on several
community service projects that you would like to participate in.
In each case, you will probably want to make a list of other activities
that you are willing to GIVE UP so you have time to focus on your
values. As Jo and Jean point out, trading low priorities for high
ones is the basis for creating the holiday experience you desire.
Ramona
Creel is the founder of OnlineOrganizing.com
-- offering "a world of organizing solutions!"
Visit OnlineOrganizing.com
for organizing products, free tips, a speakers bureau -- and even
get a referral for a Professional Organizer near you. And if you
are interested in becoming a Professional Organizer, we have all
the tools you need to succeed. (Copyright 2000, Ramona Creel)
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