It was November 29th and I was walking around my neighborhood. As I was walking, I saw several houses completely decorated for Christmas and several neighbors out decorating. I started hearing this little voice in my head start to clamor for my attention:
Peggy, you are already so behind. You don’t even have the first Christmas thing out of your attic.
Peggy, look at how pretty that house looks decorated. You decorate the same way every year and your house needs painting and your roof needs fixing and you should use fresh greenery and, and, and…….
Well, as I continued to walk I decided to take hold of that voice and replace it with my own real thoughts and truth.
Peggy, you are not in a competition for how your house looks at Christmas or any other time of the year. Is your home welcoming? Does your home have good memories?
You will eventually get your decorating done, it doesn’t have to be done today, tomorrow or even the next day. There are no Christmas police that will come knocking on your door to ticket you for not being decorated.
Peggy, your home is not their home. It does not have to look like theirs, it doesn’t have to look perfect; it has to look and feel like you and your family.
Peggy, stop comparing. It is a dead end street.
So, all this to say, I REFUSE, to let the joy of Christmas be taken out of me by the voice in my head. I REFUSE to let that voice be in control. I CHOOSE to listen and think truth and keep my priorities and values in line with who I am, where my life is right now and my schedule.
Are you comparing yourself with others lives or perceived perfection? Are you allowing comparison to be the thief of your joy? If so, pull those thoughts out of your head, replace them with truth and live a freer, less stressful and simple life as a result.
One side note: I do want to be the Christmas police in February when people still have their wreaths on the door……just saying.