My heart is in Boston

Posted on April 15, 2013 by TrimWithTracy

I watched news reports in disbelief when a crazy man blew up a truck outside a federal building in Oklahoma City.

I huddled with friends around a TV in the college cafe and we watched the second of two airplanes crash into the World Trade Center buildings in New York City and remember how a friend panicked because her call to her mother’s cell phone couldn’t be completed – and her mom worked in the WTC.

I was filled with anger and shock after a young man shot innocent elementary school students and teachers in their classrooms.

And today, I cried for the spectators, runners, and organizers of the Boston Marathon. My co-worker and I were both online and saw the headline at the same time: Explosions near finish line at Boston Marathon.

What? A marathon? Really?

Initial reports and postings expressed hope that this was a coincidence; a gas line explosion or something. Deep down, we all knew better. It’s the finish line at the Boston Marathon. One of the most epic marathons in the world. That would be some wild coincidence.

As much as I tried to not keep looking at Facebook or at the various news websites, or the hour-long news special on TV…I kept checking back. Despite being sick to my stomach. Despite my eyes welling up with tears.

I personally know one local runner who made the journey to Boston, and knew of a handful of others from the local runner’s club. I prayed they were all safe. Thankfully, word came later in the day that they are all safe in Boston.

I still just can’t believe the events that have unfolded.

I registered on March 27 for what will be, yes, what will STILL be, my very first marathon. I will be running the Marine Corps Marathon in our nation’s capital on October 27.

The Boston Marathon, as far as I understand, was not a ‘first’ marathon for any of the runners involved. It’s my understanding that you must run a qualifying time in a marathon in order to even be able to apply for Boston. But I can’t imagine what a meaningful race it was for all who were competing. For some, it would be the pinnacle race of their running career. For others, it would be the final marathon of their career. Some were running for a cause, to raise money and awareness for a charity or a disease.

No matter what their reason, they were out there doing it. 26.2 miles. Months and months of training. Speedwork. Tempo runs. Sore hips. Shin splints. Tweaked knees. Scheduling real life around 2, 3, or 4 hour training runs.

While what happened today in Boston rocks us all to the core, I will NOT let fear win. The fire in my belly is now fueled by anger. Angry that anyone could be capable of something so despicable and disgusting. Angry that innocent spectators, cheering on their friends, family members, or complete strangers, were injured or killed. Angry that the blood, sweat, and tears so many thousands of runners put into their training was for nothing.

God will bring punishment to those responsible. He will bring justice. And He will comfort the victims and their families. And we must unite. We must stand tall against fear, speak out against what is wrong, and be ever so vigilant.

I saw this picture shared on Facebook today and will end my post with it:

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Progress, not perfection on Round 2 of the Ultimate Reset

Posted on April 15, 2013 by TrimWithTracy

I started Beachbody’s Ultimate Reset for the second time back on Friday, March 29. I completed the 21-day program in its entirety last fall, starting in mid-September 2012. I lost 11.5 pounds the first time around and felt really great.

The holidays came and I thought I could out-run my fork. Actually I believe it was mostly empty drink calories that got me. Those yummy white chocolate peppermint lattes! Damn them! I ended up not only putting some pounds back on, but I created some habits that were just mental and foolish. So the timing worked out for me to do the reset again this spring and I knew it was time. I needed to get a steady hold back on my fork and set it down :)

The first time I did the program, it was extremely important to me that I follow it to a T. I wanted TRUE results, so I could really help others know exactly what to expect. And when I say I followed it to a T, I mean it. I didn’t have a bite of anything not permitted on the program.

It IS a really intense program, and it’s hard. I’m not going to sugarcoat things. I make sure to paint the whole picture for anyone who asks me about it so they don’t think it’s just some magic supplements. Eating 100% clean for 21 days, when you aren’t used to 100% clean eating, is HARD. But, it can be done.

This time around, I was aiming for progress, not perfection. I knew which meals I didn’t really care for last time so I planned on eating a few things more than once so I wouldn’t spend money on ingredients for meals I didn’t love. I was focused more on kicking the habits to the curb that I had developed over the winter and killing some cravings. Today I am on Day 18 of 21, and while I haven’t lost as much as I did the first time around, I am satisfied with my results. You can’t be mad about results you don’t get for work you didn’t do. So knowing that I ate clean about 85% instead of 100%, I am satisfied.

I’m down a little more than 7 pounds (and in 2.5 weeks so far, that’s not too shabby!) but more importantly (to me) I have proven to myself that I am still in control. I have had opportunities to buy something on impulse that I thought I wanted but knew I didn’t need. And I was able to tell the inner voice to hush up.

With each time you tell yourself you don’t need something, you gain more and more strength and confidence. It only takes a few times of saying NO to realize you are stronger than you thought. Willpower is like a muscle…the more you use it, the stronger it becomes.

I’m not going to look at the reset this time as officially ending, but rather I’m going to continue to eat more vegetables and fruit, less dairy, little to no grains, and more fish. Snacks will be nourishing. Treats will be just that, treats. Last spring on a visit with family, I loved observing how my cousin in Virginia treated food with her then 4-year old daughter. She offered a snack, like an apple or carrots and said she could have a cookie another time as a treat. Her kids will grow up understanding the difference between a snack and a treat. Snacks are really just small meals or a little something to hold us over. Treats are sometimes foods. Cookies, chips, cupcakes, etc.

(Doesn’t this snack look yummy?!)

I’d love for you to share with me either a treat that you have modified so it’s more healthy, or some of your favorite healthy snacks. Comment here so we can all expand our lists of good-for-you foods!

Posted in Just life, Nutrition, Ultimate Reset | Leave a comment

Because I CAN

Posted on March 27, 2013 by TrimWithTracy

I made the decision to sign up for the Marine Corps Marathon 2013 around lunchtime on December 1, 2012.

The decision was made that Saturday, but not made public until today just in case I couldn’t get through the website and register. This afternoon, thanks to a lucky connection on my co-worker’s laptop (and no thanks to my desktop iMac that kept cycling and cycling on the web page) I was fortunate enough to get to the page and register.

So today I begin my journey toward becoming a marathoner.

But I digress. Let me take you back through this story because it’s too good and way too meaningful to not tell.

So shortly after 1:00 on December 1, 2012 I took a break from my table as a vendor at a holiday event to pick up lunch from the nearby cafe. The woman who brought my food out from the kitchen was one I had only spoken with a time or two in person since interviewing her for a story I wrote for my newspaper.

She had broken the record (by 17 minutes!) for the Oil Creek 100, a 100 mile trail run. We chatted briefly when she handed me my order, and I caught her up on my Half Marathon tale from September 2012. She asked if I was going to attempt a full marathon and I admitted that I wasn’t sure.

I had been considering a Marathon since my first Half in September 2011, really, because it just feels like a marathon is the next logical distance to attempt. The feeling got stronger after my second Half Marathon, and then on October 27, 2012, my dear friend and inspiration, LP, announced to the world on her blog that she was going to run the Marine Corps Marathon, exactly one year from then on October 27, 2013. I knew I wanted to join her but I still had feelings of doubt and uncertainty.

Then, during that quick chat in the cafe, it was as if a light switch flipped inside of me. After admitting my doubts and fears to a woman who had been there, done that, and whom I barely knew, it only took a few sentences from her to help me make up my mind.

“You can do it,” she said, smiling. “If you decide you want to do it, you can. I know it.”

How did she know? I wondered. She didn’t know me. But as a runner I know 85% of the battle is mental, and that’s how I knew she was right. So then and there, on my walk back from the cafe, I decided that YES, I was GOING to run a marathon. Which one would I choose? The Marine Corps Marathon made perfect sense. Who better to run 26.2 miles with than the friend who inspired me to start running in the first place? And in a city that has been special to me since childhood.

As I ate my lunch, excited and nervous about the thoughts going through my head, I knew I would need some strong motivation. I remembered one of my running mentors, Jenny, raised money for a charity in honor of her husband’s battle with cancer. She had told me that’s what made her keep pushing. Marathons require a lot – - A LOT – - of training and those long runs can become even longer when your mind starts telling lies like you’re tired or your legs hurt. What would I use for motivation? I immediately thought of my uncle.

My Uncle Mike has always been like a second dad to me. Despite living 6.5 hours away, there was such a comfortable relationship between us. My cousin and best friend is just six months older than me, so we’d each spend a few weeks at the other’s house in the summer. They lived close to Washington, D.C. so Uncle Mike would take us sightseeing in the city, or to a baseball game, or to the neighborhood pool. He had an awesome sense of humor, was a super karaoke singer, played a great game of golf, was in a softball league into his early 60s…and I don’t remember ever hearing him say anything bad about anyone.

For reasons only God knows, my uncle fell victim to what I now feel is one of the most cruel diseases: ALS, also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Over the course of less than five years, it gradually took my uncle’s ability to walk and care for himself, and finally, his life.

I decided then, on December 1, 2012 while eating my panini, that my “cause” would be Uncle Mike. I would raise money for the ALS Association and use him as my motivation to run 26.2 miles. I even pictured him in his wheelchair along the route I imagined in my head.

Here’s the part where, even typing this story, I get goose bumps. It was that same afternoon that I heard the news that Uncle Mike had been taken into the hospital the night before. They didn’t expect him to make it much longer, and he didn’t. He passed away the next evening, with his family at his side.

His funeral was one of the largest outpourings of love I have witnessed. There were tears, but there was laughter as friends and family told story after story. Our family is quite large, and it was a testament to the kind of man he was to see how many family members made the long trip to say goodbye.

I still think about him a lot. I find myself thinking about him every time I run. When I’m in the first mile and my mind is telling me my legs hurt or when I’m in the 5th out of 6 miles and my mind is again trying to fool me into thinking that I just can’t keep going. I think of my uncle. And I usually say to myself, out loud, and with a slight scolding tone, “He couldn’t. Even. Walk. I can RUN. Keep going!”

His life was cut short. He spent the last few years being unable to even walk. I am blessed beyond measure to have not only the ability to walk, but the ability to run.

In discussing distance running, some have asked me why I would want to run a marathon. I didn’t really have a great answer before, but now I do.

Why run a marathon? Because I CAN.

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Everything for a reason…

Posted on March 20, 2013 by TrimWithTracy

Tonight I keep reminding myself that everything happens for a reason.

Maybe the reason we’re home in our living room right now instead of rubbing elbows with fellow Beachbody coaches in Disney is because I need to finally learn a hard lesson (at age 32) about why it’s so important to be on time or early.

Or maybe the reason (hidden reason) is because my foot isn’t fit to walk on as much as I’d be pushing it through the parks.

Or, maybe I needed to truly feel and realize how much I love my husband.

Confused? Explanation: We missed our flight this morning to Orlando for the Beachbody Success Club Trip because I didn’t allow enough time for us to get to the airport, find parking, check in and go through security this morning.

We were put on standby for a 3:15 p.m. flight. Our original flight was at 7:00 a.m. Do the math – - that’s a day’s work! A frustrated hubby and myself left the airport, went to breakfast and lingered (not like we had anywhere else we needed to be), then spent 4 hours at the Galleria mall wandering through Dick’s, the mall concourse, and had a drink at Jack Astors.

We got back to the airport, went through security, found our gate, and waited. I had knots in my stomach, feeling just sick about the fact that it was my fault we missed the first flight and knowing there was a chance we’d miss this one too. We knew we were #5 & 6 on the standby list, and we had joked earlier about the possibility of there being two of us and just one seat.

Well, it happened. He told me to go and take the trip. He would retrieve my car from the long-term parking and drive back home alone. I was torn, but we had already told the agent that if only one seat was available, we’d separate and I would take it. Sobbing, I kissed him hurriedly while I gathered my things and rushed to the jetway. I got the last seat on the plane – in the front row of first class. While I shoved my carryon into the overhead bin, I saw another couple that had also been on standby. “Oh, you made it on too?” They asked, excitedly. I began crying again. “Without my husband,” I said.

I sat down and asked one of the flight attendants to please make sure there were no other seats. I told her I hated to leave my husband behind. I buckled my seatbelt and waited. My mind turned to the coming weekend and I was overcome with an immense sadness. Tears were streaming down my face as I thought about sitting pool side by myself, wandering through Epcot alone, and sleeping in my gorgeous room alone.

Even though I knew I would have other people around to do things with, it just didn’t comfort me. I had envisioned this trip as OUR trip – mine and hubby’s. This was just not going to be the same.

Then I did it. I created a minor scene. I got up, took a step into the little flight attendant area, and asked if there was any way I could get off the plane. It was not quite as dramatic as Rachel from FRIENDS in Season 10 when she realizes she loves Ross and has to get off the plane. But it was dramatic enough. Let’s just say – you know when you get on an airplane and there are people standing all over, putting carry-ons away or getting settled in their seats? Um, by the time I got on the plane, everyone was seated with seatbelts buckled. And then (after the door has been closed) I’m THAT girl who decides  she HAS to get off the plane. The flight attendants graciously helped me gather my belongings and open the door. Puzzled, concerned looks on the faces of airline agents greeted me at the newly opened end of the jetway.

I apologized to everyone and anyone I encountered as I gathered my things and headed up the jetway. I felt bad for delaying them a few minutes, but felt somewhat free after making the decision to deplane.

I have to say, despite things working out (after the hubs was irate about me getting off the plane) I’m terribly disappointed in myself for not allowing us enough time this morning to catch our original flight. The only comfort I found was that the other couple on standby with us, who had also missed that 7 a.m. flight, said they’d arrived an hour and a half before flight time and the check-in line was so long they missed the flight. So arriving on time may not have helped us. We’ll never know.

What I do know is, the extreme sadness I felt about leaving my husband behind was such a strong, clear feeling and was one I haven’t felt quite like that before. We spend plenty of time apart, with each of us doing our own things fairly often and with him working out of town the past few months and spending a few nights apart each week. But this may have even strengthened us, if that makes sense.

Another thing I know is, I have had a habit my whole life of being late. I am late more often than I’m on time and I can probably count on two hands the number of times I’ve been early for something. This habit of mine is something people (co-workers, friends, family) have joked about with me many times, but it really frustrates me that I just haven’t made a better effort to be on time. This has definitely taught me a hard lesson.

Lastly, with my foot incredibly sore from a suspected micro stress fracture suffered last weekend, this turn of events may be a reason in disguise to keep me off my feet. Disney World requires a ridiculous amount of walking, and after walking all day today at the Galleria, my foot was really hurting.

So despite my sadness and frustration, there is a reason for everything. Knowing that doesn’t make tonight any easier, but I will survive.

Posted in Just life | 1 Comment

I’m back, baby!

Posted on March 4, 2013 by TrimWithTracy

Where did the last month go? What happened to February?

One of my all-time favorite Garfield cartoons (Remember him? The sarcastic cat?) mentioned that February is the Monday of all months. It just drags on and on. But this year it flew right by. Can’t say I’m sad about that – - I have never been a huge fan of February. It’s nothing personal, just that nothing fun really happens in February.

Have you wondered where I’ve been? I can’t believe how badly I’ve slacked off from posting lately. I will pick up the pace, I promise!

I traveled at the end of January and of course got sick from the nasty germs on the plane and in the hotel, so I was down with a cough for almost three weeks. I really only felt like junk for 5 days or so, but that cough held on for dear life. I couldn’t even work out nice ‘n easy because I would burst into random coughing fits.

I finally hopped back on the workout wagon a few weeks ago. I’ve just been doing a hodge-podge of whatever felt good…mostly TurboFire. I did P90X faithfully for three weeks and change from the beginning of January, then went out of town and well, you just read the sick thing. I’m starting training very soon for a big race so I’ve just been trying to decide exactly which direction I’m going to head with my workouts. It’s likely that I will incorporate P90X into my running training, which would be great for the weight training aspect.

This weekend I really feel like I finally got back into running. I went last Sunday for a short run and it felt good. This past weekend the awesome kicked in. It was a mixture of the company and the activity. (Last weekend’s company was great, but my run was just so-so). This past Saturday I ran 4 miles with Em, my partner in crime. We do all our races together (if you’ve read several of my posts you know I have mentioned her many times). Anyway, for starters it was just great to spend time with her since we’re both so busy we don’t get to see each other much. Then, it was a great day for running. Snow on the ground but zero wind and just a few slippery spots.

Sunday I did 3 miles with a newer running buddy, Lexa. We’ve been friends for a few years but became closer the last year or so as accountability buddies and we work hard to keep each other on track with eating right and working out. She just got into running last summer (if memory serves) and she’s rockin’ it. We hit some wind yesterday but the yaktrax kept us from slipping and sliding, and the snow falling was pretty. Good conversation as usual, too! I love to say running is cheaper than therapy and I’m sure my husband appreciates that I have good girlfriends to run with because I get my venting out to them and he doesn’t have to hear it!

I finally just felt like I’m back into running this weekend. My high didn’t come during the runs but afterward instead. My mood was spectacular and I just felt so happy! This is what I have been missing!

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Love your body!

Posted on February 14, 2013 by TrimWithTracy

It’s Valentine’s Day!There’s no better day to show yourself some love!

I can’t even tell you how much my body loves Shakeology. It was weird, because I didn’t really realize what kind of positive effects it had on my system until I went a few weeks without it.

A new flavor was being introduced last year (tropical strawberry) and I wanted it. So I canceled my current order to wait and order the new flavor, but then I had to wait a little longer so my payday would line up just right. Anywho, it ended up that I went about two weeks without my shake.

My body wasn’t happy.

My energy levels tanked, my regularity was um, interrupted, I felt bloated, I ate cereal for breakfast instead of drinking the shake like I had been and was hungry an hour later, I got the mid-afternoon cravings back…it just wasn’t good.

So I want YOU to experience this amazing product! Shakeology isn’t just a weight loss shake. It does amazing things for your internal health. Irritable bowel syndrome sufferers have seen improvements in their digestion and elimination. It’s certified Low on the Glycemic Index, which is good news for those with Diabetes. There are a myriad of other health ailments people suffer from that have experienced relief with the help of Shakeology.

And the best part is, the product comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. I don’t know any other product that I can actually USE and CONSUME entirely and still return if my body hasn’t responded positively. It’s just that good.

If you’d like to try it, just click here and choose the Home Direct option so you don’t have to pay shipping. If you decide you don’t want to get it month after month, simply cancel with no hassle. But let your body decide!

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Rockin’ the New Year!

Posted on January 14, 2013 by TrimWithTracy

I know it’s January 14 already, which means it’s been almost two weeks since my last post…but I’ve been a busy girl trying to make 2013 fabulous! :)

I have not missed a workout thus far in 2013.

I was saying that I had worked out every day in 2013, but yesterday was a rest day for my program and while I *could* have taken a run in the nice weather to not break my work-out-every-day streak I decided it was important for my body to rest. So I’m not counting that against myself.

The first few days of the year I was just staying active with running and some Turbo Fire, killing time until I was prepared for P90X. I guess I can say I am still not totally prepared for it, even though I did start last Monday and today will be Day 8. The food guide is pretty intense and I will admit I haven’t been following it to a T yet. And I need to take my ‘before’ pics and stats. But I’ve been making it through the workouts, and I have managed to keep up decently through most of them.

What I love about the program already is, Tony Horton (the trainer, in case you don’t know him) is really cool about pushing you to do your best and reach a goal you’ve set for yourself. He’s not pushing you to do the same number of reps as the people in the video. So I can still keep track on my worksheets the reps and weight and watch myself improve as time goes on.

Moving on to this program was a big step out of my comfort zone, as I have grown very fond of the style of trainer Chalene Johnson and honestly P90X scared me. I have heard about what an intense program it is. But Tony Horton isn’t a scary guy; he’s actually pretty funny and quirky during the workout. But man, is he ripped! The guy knows his stuff.

I’ll still get some running in; probably a long run every weekend with my running buddy (you remember Crazy Amy, right?) and maybe just maybe a shorter run during the week here and there. The P90X workouts are pretty long compared to what I’m used to, because the warm up and cool down periods are almost 10 minutes apiece. So we’ll see what happens.

I am excited though to get stronger and see how my body changes and my fitness improves. I’ll take those before pics this week (probably not sharing them here just yet, don’t get too excited) and I am ready to rock!

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Farewell, 2012…you were fabulous!

Posted on January 1, 2013 by TrimWithTracy

While cruising through Facebook on New Year’s Eve and today, New Year’s Day, I saw so many posts from friends bidding 2012 good riddance. I already considered myself blessed for experiencing an amazing 2012, but after seeing so many friends share feelings of dislike for the year I felt even more blessed.

I started 2012 with Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, a 13-week course that literally changed my life. I truly believe this course was the main reason my year was so amazing. We learned how to make a budget and stick to it as well as how to  effectively pay off debt and build wealth.

I have made dozens and dozens of budgets over the years, but never understood quite how to stick to them. The accountability this class provided and the rapport established with other class members made the difference. We had class leaders who have been through the program before and were willing and able to help us.

I also made the decision in March, after an entire year of trying to run two home businesses concurrently, to allow myself to focus on the one that I really felt passionate about where I can help others. The shift of my focus to just one business made an enormous difference. I knew I had made the right decision for me, and not only did my income reflect that but the number of people who had made positive life changes did as well.

I invested in myself in June and attended Summit, a long weekend full of workshops and learning for my Beachbody business, held in Las Vegas. It was an amazing experience that propelled me even further forward in my business.

I completed my second Half Marathon in September with one of my running buddies, and the feeling of crossing that finish line never gets old.

I really have to go back to the FPU course for a minute here, because one of the main reasons 2012 was so good for me is that I wasn’t constantly stressed about money. I established an emergency fund for the first time ever. I paid off my car and two small credit cards. I paid cash already for the 2013 Summit registration and lodging. I never would have done these things had I not taken the time to attend the FPU classes and put into practice principles I was learning.

2012 had a few low points, of course. The lowest and most significant just happened a month ago, when my dear uncle passed away. He was like a second father to me, as I am super close to my cousin and would spend weeks at a time at their home in the summer. There was a silver lining to the loss, however (for lack of better term). My uncle suffered from ALS, the most cruel and devastating disease I have ever had the displeasure of getting to know through an afflicted individual. I can only take comfort now in the fact that my uncle is no longer suffering. He is at peace and is whole and well again.

I am looking ahead to an exciting 2013, and hope to accomplish some amazing things. I would love for you to continue following along as I take on new challenges!

Posted in Just life | 1 Comment

New year, fresh start

Posted on January 1, 2013 by TrimWithTracy

There’s just something about a new year. Something refreshing, invigorating, empowering. It’s a clean slate. A fresh start. A chance to begin again and get it right this time.

I started my new year by participating in the annual New Year’s Day 5 Miler race, sponsored by the Erie Runners Club. I trained hard and was all set to run the race of 2011 and went to bed the night before, New Year’s Eve, with a horrible stomach virus that had me sick every few hours all night long. I was able to run the 2012 race, and ran it in just over 1:02. I was pleased with that. This year, not only did I beat last year’s time (which is always the goal) but race conditions were much different this year than 2012.

The race is run on a state park, where everything is au natural. No salt on the roads meant 5 miles of ice. Snow covered ice; clean, black ice; patches of ice mixed with patches of dry pavement. It was a little of everything. But I wore my yaktrax (best winter investment ever!) and did not so much as slip the entire way.

I went running two days ago with Crazy Amy (Remember her from previous posts? The “crazy” isn’t derogatory…it just means that she is crazy fast, crazy enthusiastic, crazy fun.). We did six miles full of snow, hills, traffic, slush, and a new route. It was grueling, to say the least. It was also my first run of the winter using my yaktrax, and it does take a bit to get used to them again. My time was super slow: 1:24.

So imagine my excitement to come in view of the finish line today to see the race clock showing 1:01!! I sped up and crossed the timing mat at 1:01.53. I will take it!

Since today is the first day of the year, and I have always wanted to track my running mileage for an entire year, I can start today since I’m already 1 for 1. 1/1/13, 5 miles! I’ll add that to my running journal, and now I can keep track all year. Nerdy? Maybe. But that’s how I roll.

Another thing I’m doing with my fresh start of a new year is participating in Chalene Johnson’s 30-Day PUSH Challenge. It’s 30-days of step-by-step brilliance. I will gain focus and clarity and I can’t wait!

And, just for fun, I have a little mini daily project for January. I learned in church Sunday that Proverbs is 31 chapters long (not that you have to learn that in church, but it was pointed out in church) so I will read one chapter a day during the month of January. There are some amazing lessons in Proverbs that are as meaningful now as they were all those years ago.

I have several specific goals for 2013, but I’ll outline those in a different post. I just wanted to welcome 2013 with open arms first.

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Finding my Christmas spirit and holiday cheer

Posted on December 22, 2012 by TrimWithTracy

Christmas is just a few days away, and I recently found my Christmas spirit and holiday cheer. From reading many posts on Facebook all month long I know many other people have had a hard time themselves finding their happy place.

I have felt this way the last several years, and it gets worse every year. Pretty much since my mid-20s I guess. I haven’t been able to pinpoint what my frustration was, until some FB messages exchanged between a friend I made just this year (with whom I keep learning I share more and more of the same beliefs) used the exact word that is my frustration.

EXCESS.

Each year the stores open for the holiday shopping season a little earlier and a little earlier. I remember how I felt when I heard stores were opening at midnight the morning after Thanksgiving. It was just gross. Then only a year or two later it was 10:00 Thanksgiving night. Excess.

Why do we have to go so incredibly far overboard for a one-day holiday? And we are missing the point SO much. We’re so consumed with excess that by the time Christmas day finally arrives, we are exhausted and sick of the whole thing. That’s not how it should be!

I love the memories of my childhood Christmases. When my parents bought us enough gifts but I never saw my mom freaking out about needing more and more (even in my teen years when I was observant). When we would bake cookies together, but not a crazy amount – maybe a batch or two of 3-4 kinds of cookies. When we decorated the tree together, watched Christmas movies together, eagerly opened Christmas cards arriving by mail together. We spent time TOGETHER.

I wonder how many kids today can see the stress on their parents’ (or mothers’) faces because there is just SO much left to do.

I just have to ask WHY is there still SO much to do? I believe (and this is my opinion, so get mad if you want, tell me I don’t understand because I don’t have kids, whatever you want to do) but I believe we do this to ourselves. If we didn’t set the precedent that our kids should receive 12-15 or more gifts on Christmas, they wouldn’t expect that many. Why does it have to be about the gifts, oh gosh and they need wrapped, and on and on? Why can’t it be about exchanging a FEW gifts and just spending time together?

I guess I don’t have a conclusion or point to this post, except for the fact that my friend used the word EXCESS and thus pinpointed my frustration. Let’s focus a little more on others. Let’s practice being kind and considerate to others – - yes, even strangers – - and maybe that will continue through the year. Cut back on the gifts you buy your kids and pick a child or two off a giving tree and have your kids go shopping WITH you for that child. Allow your child to feel how amazing it is to give to others. You’ll see most of the items listed on a giving tree child’s list are necessities. There will be a few fun things, but mostly clothing and sturdy shoes and boots.

I heard such a sad fact in a school board meeting the other night. Someone asked a question about economics and the impact on the students if any…and the principal speaking explained that right NOW, the holiday season, is the toughest for students. Many, he said, are dreading (yes, dreading!) the 10 or so days off school. They would rather be at school because they know what to expect and know that they are cared for and about, and he said many know they won’t be receiving many gifts, if any, for Christmas. And they know their Christmas dinner will just be another meal, not something special. It broke my heart.

So as we slide head-first into Christmas and you are complaining about all the thousand things you still have to finish, please remember a few things. Remember that often times it is a choice that you have made to set the precedent. Remember that Christmas can be an incredible, magical time of year for children and adults alike without all the excess. And remember the reason we even celebrate the season.

I found my cheer and spirit. It came little by little this year. A little as I bought for my giving tree child. A little more as I spent time with friends and we had a fun gift exchange with a $10 spending limit. A little more as I put up my Christmas tree and decorated it. (Sure, it took about 4 hours from start to finish because I had to remove a set of dud lights from the pre-lit tree and put new ones on!) But when it was done and lit, it looked gorgeous. And a little more when I started a conversation with a stranger while picking up the two small gifts I will give to my little nephew to go with the two gifts I got his sisters.

I hope my friends who are still looking for their cheer find it soon. Take a breath, realize that no matter what it will still be wonderful, and just let yourself be joyful.

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