Reflecting on the days following Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, I feel a bit drained. It was a wonderful time—we had nearly everyone together for Thanksgiving dinner, and the next day, we set up the tree and all its trimmings. As fulfilling as it all was, it also took a lot out of me. On this second day of December, I’m reminded to pause and ask: What do I truly want from this season? How can I show up as the most loving version of myself for the people I care about most?
As I share some Advent resources I’ve gathered, I do so with these guiding principles in mind:
- Slow, not fast – When I catch myself rushing through a reading, I intentionally put the book down, and when I resume, I focus on fewer words that can truly stay with me.
- More “no,” less “yes” – Just today, I let go of adding something extra to an already full day of scheduled events. I’m learning to resist the urge to squeeze in “just one more thing.”
- Space, not clutter – This is my greatest challenge, as I naturally lean toward collecting and input. Yet, I’m finding corners of my home that call for attention—spaces that need things to be put away, donated, or let go of entirely.
These principles are my anchors, helping me breathe and embrace this season with intention and grace.
Wounded in Spirit by David Bannon