What Do You Expect?

I?would?not describe the end of the year as one I used to anticipate.??I did not expect it and prepare for it, but rather, put off important things and then was shocked when the end of the year was here, and I had more on my to do list than I wanted.??

So then add to that list the obligations of the holiday season.??I had put off showing care and love for family and friends and tried to make up for that in a 6-week span of time with cards, cookies, time, presents. Because I had procrastinated all year, I didn’t have the resources of time and money to spend.??Here I was exhausted, run down, sick, and overwhelmed.??My answer for this was “the holiday season”.?

Do you anticipate the end of the year, or does it catch you off guard?

If you feel surprised by the end of the year -??then take a deep breath.??This is not an email that will tell you all the things to focus on and give you a 6-step process to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

I want you to tell you about one thing that changed everything for me.??That took me from overwhelm to expecting great things at the end of every year.??Looking forward to celebrating and giving.??

How did I eliminate the disillusionment that comes with the “holidays” and the end of the year responsibilities??

I turned my attention to understanding the origin of this “holiday season”.??Asking myself the question what is this 6-week span of time all about???Where did it come from???Was it a manufactured retail holiday or was it rooted in something more profound?

Over a decade ago, through asking myself probing questions, I found something more meaningful than spending money and impressing others.??I found my purpose.??

That purpose was found while learning where the origin of this season came from.??You see I know, with confidence, that the baby we see depicted in the nativity scenes and the One who we sing about in traditional Christmas songs is real.????

I was searching for peace in production.?

I was anticipating monetary relief.

I was seeking approval from others.

I was preparing for a promotion through the acts of another person.

What I found was empty promises, lack, frustration, lazy habits, rejection and fear.??

When I accepted that this season has a far deeper reason.??That the decorations are to set the stage for the parties that will celebrate the life of the One who brought me total peace, all the provision I need, friendship that will never reject me and promotions that no human could give me.

No matter your place in life you can have the same anticipation that I do for the Christmas season.??I have made every decoration, every event, every good piece of food, every year end activity not for the applause of others, but for the celebration of one named Jesus.??

As I set my intentions each year to look forward to this celebration my business has produced more money and impact than ever before.????

May you explore your questions and embrace the answers that the end of year brings.