I'll be honest. This is a difficult
post for me to construct. You see, Hallmark holidays were rarely
celebrated in my house growing up, and I've kept up this “tradition.”
I'm the parent who says, “oh nuts, it's Valentine's day tomorrow?
We'd better run to XYZ store and pick up some cards.” “Oh nuts,
it's St. Patrick's Day tomorrow? Do you have anything green and semi-clean to wear?” You get the idea.
Don't get me wrong. This isn't an
intentional political statement on my part – after all, the word
intention suggests a certain level of deliberation. It's just that I
don't understand the fuss.
Furthermore, I – like all of you –
am busy. Busy, in a way that consistently surprises me. Busy, after 8
years of parenting, that doesn't seem like it SHOULD surprise me.
Busy, with laundry to wash – kids to transport – dog poop to
scoop – professional obligations to meet – PTO meetings to try
and attend – desperately needed new socks to buy – the list is
endless, isn't it? And I have the luxury of a partner who works
diligently to share these responsibilities.
Hallmark, and other
noted-on-the-calendar-but-in-my-heart, holidays contribute to the
noise that surrounds this busy-ness. Noise which makes individual
events less decipherable, and which takes away from my mindfulness while doing them. You probably know this noise. The “sound” in
your head which reminds you that the grocery store is on your way to
buy new socks, so maybe you should run in quickly and pick up that
gallon of milk. The “sound” of guilt when you're opting between
that PTO meeting when you'd really rather spend time snuggling with
your oldest to read Harry Potter together. The “sound” of angst
when you realize that you'll be returning from a conference on a day
developed to celebrate loved ones – without any physical object
to symbolize that love.
Frankly, Hallmark holidays represent
just another noise to me, in an often-times cacophonous world. That
said, my personal resolution is to minimize these and other noises
that take away from my ability to be present with my family, other
loved ones, and myself. One of my fellow bloggers noted the
importance of random acts of kindness, and how these stand to change
the world. To that end, I've just decided to make my slow adoption of
Hallmark holidays intentional (and maybe even political), and focus
on demonstrating love for my family and others around me when the
feeling strikes, not when the calendar tells me to. By doing that,
I'm hopeful that I will learn to turn down the volume, and not be
overwhelmed by the different noises confronting me.
Simultaneously, I want to thank those around me who enjoy holidays – all holidays – and use
them as ways to be present and foster love with their loved ones. I so
enjoy seeing how you, and your little helpers, meticulously plan the
ways that you're going to share your love of holidays with others
around you. It's too much noise in my life because holiday
preparations are on the fringes for me. However, some of you embrace
these as opportunities to develop connections, and live in the
moment. I will continue to be inspired by your intention, while
living in my own sense of insouciance when it comes to Hallmark
holidays.
insouciance - blithe nonchalance.
