Less Is More

That's a hard one to swallow this time of year.

During this holiday season, we seem to have an unspoken competition to see who can get the most, do the most, be the busiest, be the most stressed.

The more presents under the tree, the happier the family.
The more parties and events on the calendar means you're a successful, popular, well-liked person.
The more elegant and fancy the dish you make, the more compliments you receive, which of course makes you a more joyful, cheerful person.

More, more, more.
We're always trying to out-do each other.

But WHY?

Maybe we don't even realize we're doing it.
And yet, we somehow get caught up in the competition, striving to win a prize we can't see or touch or hold.  Recognition from others.  Tweets on twitter.  Comments on facebook.

But really, truly what does all this praise, recognition, and accolade amount to?
Nothing!

Except maybe credit card payments.
A messy kitchen.
A tired, weary, cranky, stressed-out mom who snaps at her kids.

Okay, maybe that last one is just me.

Yesterday morning, I read a great blog post and was kind of slapped in the face.
I was reminded that LESS IS MORE, that I need to STOP and SLOW DOWN, to keep things SIMPLE.
Then, to confirm that was the lesson I needed to learn, a friend in my small group last night shared how she was "forced" to play with her 2 small children for almost 2 hours.  Her husband was having his students present their final papers in their home, and she was confined to the play room with her kids, giving her no other option but to play.  She couldn't clean or organize or make supper or do anything else on her normal to-do list.  Normally, like me, she is busy getting things done around the house and doesn't have time to sit and play for hours on end.  Granted, we both will sit down and color or read or play with our children in little segments throughout the day, but to just do nothing but play for more than 15 minutes is not a pleasure we rarely allow ourselves.  We can't.  We have too much to do, too much to get done.  Or do we? 

As I was shown yet again yesterday, this is simply not the case.
Or at least it doesn't have to be.
The choice is MINE.

And so today, we are slowing down.  We are keeping things simple.

For the past 3 days, we have gotten out and about -- shopping, running errands, going to story time at the library, playing at Chick-fil-A.  All good things.  But it was all just too much for my 3 small girls.  Today, my 4-year-old informed me, "We are NOT going anywhere today.  No more shopping or going outside until winter is over."

Well, I don't know about staying home until March, BUT for today that's the plan.  We are just having fun coloring and traveling to outer space in our pretend rocket and reading books and holding the baby.  Nothing big or spectacular.  And that's okay.  In fact, it's best.

Remember, less is more!