My Christmas Gift

A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to provide a centerpiece and place settings for a table for our Relief Society (the women’s organization in our church) Christmas dinner. It shouldn’t have been a big deal. But, I made it a big deal. “Everyone is expecting something amazing from me” I thought to myself “I am a crafter after all”. And, “gosh, if I don’t make it wonderful, and handmade and spectacular, I won’t be able to blog about it.” (yes, I am truly humbling myself to share this with all of you). I went out and bought supplies to make these gorgeous fabric covered paper cones, ribbon and fabric and everything else. And then, I stopped myself. “Why am I putting myself through all of this?” I wondered to myself. “I don’t really have the time, and the effort would take all my extra energy and enthusiasm for other things.” And I sat down and had myself a really hard, long thought/talk.
I came to a conclusion.
I love this blog. I love crafting. I want this blog to have lots of followers, and to maybe even possibly down the road provide an income for my family. I want to have great projects. But mostly, more than anything else, I want this blog to help people. I want it to inspire creativity- and the joy that comes with making beautiful things. I want it to inspire beauty and the desire to improve the home you have- to make it a place that is full of happiness and light. I want to help people discover skills and talents that they might not have known they had otherwise. And, above it all- I want this blog to truly reflect who I am. Not just who I would really like you to think that I am.
So, my Christmas gift to you is: You have my permission to simply be yourself. If you don’t want to manufacture the most ornate, bedazzled centerpiece known to humankind- you have my permission to let it go, to gather up the simple things you have, and just let it be. You have my permission to have a messy house for a while (or forever if you’re fine with it), my permission to let your kids play video games for the entire duration of winter break, you have my permission to neglect neighbor gifts and any other obligations that serve no higher purpose in your life. You have my permission to simplify your expectations of yourself and others. To spend some time searching out your desires and aspirations for life and to eliminate everything else from the mix. You have my permission to be YOU!
And, for Christmas this year- I’m giving myself the gift of Me.