Now Is a Good Time to Let Yourself off the Hook

I know you’re busy, but take 30 seconds to read this. You’ll be glad.

What was I thinking to take off the week before Christmas? Take off as in leave, check out, join 24 strangers to sit outside in the dark, meditate, and freeze my bottom off thousands of miles from Bergdorf Goodman. It had nothing to do with Christmas, and yet everything to do with peace on earth, good will toward men.

A view from Shaman’s Cave, Sedona, Arizona

 If you follow me on Instagram, you know I was in Sedona, Arizona, on a “sacred spirit illumination” journey. I must have been insane. Christmas is now, and I have at least 472 reasons to panic about 472 things, and yet I’m not. Yet. I’ve never felt saner.

More on the sacred journey in a future post. 

Meanwhile, what hasn’t gotten done just won’t get done. What about you? What can you let yourself off the hook for right here, right now? You don’t have to go to Arizona. Let the perfect go for the sake of the good. Let the fussing go for the sake of the fun. Focus on the love and the laughter. Everything else is stuffing.

Cue the Rainbow. Merry Christmas.

Rainbow as seen from Shaman’s Cave, Sedona, Arizona, December 2014

21 comments

  1. You are a brave girl.I am still trying to finish all of the last minute cooking and wrapping. It is a foggy, cool Mountain day today—I love this kind of weather. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
    xo, lissy

  2. Thinking this morning about the renewed wisdom of observing the actual Christmas season that begins on December 24 and extends through the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6 (the twelve days of Christmas). These days I see the “holiday” season as the run after Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve with the mishmash of “holiday” community, organizational, and friend events and parties (some very nice and enjoyable, of course) followed by the real, non-commercial Christmas season that invites a more authentic entering into the reflective and spiritual dimensions of God with us. Christmas season (Christmastide) offers another time to write Christmas greetings to friends, worship on two Christmas Sundays this year, perhaps time to read, exercise, more leisurely visits with family and friends without all the expectation, anxiety and commercial exploitation of the “holiday” season.

  3. I have been thinking a lot about connection to the universe, and in particular the beginning of the sun’s northern passage; how it brings a new cycle of growth and life. I think you have chosen the perfect time to awaken and begin a new spiritual illumination journey. Some may view my thoughts as being based in pagan ritual. I think of it as a way to get closer to God’s presence with us, and our clear and true purpose. Peace and love to you and yours at this most wonderful time of year. XO

  4. Hearing it newly is so helpful …as we are born again daily through Him. Thank you for the reminder of peace and calm in the midst. And, the true meaning of Christmas.

  5. You’re right of course, but unfortunately those twice baked potatoes aren’t going to stuff themselves! Merry merry to you Frances. Your blog has certainly helped make my days merry and bright!

    1. Well I didn’t mean don’t stuff the potatoes! I just meant those of us OCD types might consider taking a chill-pill… 😉 Thank you for writing, and clarifying that, Amie! You make my days merry and bright, too! xo F

  6. Thanks for making me feel better about the “letting go” I have already done this season. It’s great when you give yourself a gift of a new perspective. Through the “lens of grace” I like to call it. Love to you Frances and Merry Christmas. ((-;Can’t wait to hear more! xo

  7. I think it was a perfectly normal, sane and fabulous thing to do!! I let many “busy” things go this Christmas…and expect it to be just as filled with love and joy as always! Merry Christmas!!

  8. Seems you found the real answer at the base of the rainbow! What a beautiful place is Sedona. Bob Schieffer on CBS Face the Nation Sunday
    had as his parting comment that ’14 was a year to let go of and enjoy the coming 2015. Enjoy and MERRY
    xo, Lynn and Dick

  9. I worked teaching high school until a few days ago. I have let go of Christmas cards. I love baking, but if everything is not baked by the first day of Christmas, it will be baked by the twelfth day.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours, Frances. Thank you for the sane perspective.

  10. Absolutely! Have let go of a lot of “stuff” physical, mental and emotional, it’s a good feeling. I have learned to trust the sky I am under … hmmm, a very wise woman said that. Still say we should clone Randall Day. Merry Christmas! And come on 2015!!!

  11. It wasn’t a sacred spirit illumination but the flu that reminded me to slow down and not sweat the small stuff. God does use the many tools available to him. Somehow Christmas will still come without my being a wild banshee (probably not p.c.) trying to set the “perfect” scene. Had to cross baking bread for many friends off the to-do list. Having to turn over some of the responsibility to the rest of the family gives them more ownership in the holiday ~ something I need to remember for next year and the next. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Frances!

  12. Absolutely incredible and wonderful and amazing, dear Frances! I am THRILLED beyond belief that you gave this gift to yourself and can’t wait to hear more details.
    Much love!

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