Advent 4

My options today:

• Someone I want to see before the holiday is over.
• An unexpected lesson from the year.
• An ordinary, everyday conversation I remember.

I pick door #2:

Lessons I learnt this year (not sure if they can be classified as 'unexpected' or not?):

1. Not everyone is my friend. Some relationships just won't develop beyond their initial depth or limited breadth. That's OK. Let it be what it is. 

(And when someone 'unfriends' you on social media, allow them to leave. Grieve privately.)

2. Our capacity for love is endless. Hearts are not rigid (or fixed) in size. That Grinch movie got it right ... our hearts can grow and grow and grow - making room for more and more people to love. 

3. I learnt that going under anesthetic for an operation (twice this year) makes me very emotional. FOR WEEKS AFTERWARD. Holy cow, what a mess of feelings. I will keep this in mind for future medical procedures. And warn/remind everyone who shares space with me in the days afterward. 

4. Being unforgiving is not attractive. And it's tiresome. 

5. People can change their minds. Just because they said something, or promised something, or believed something, doesn't mean it's a forever thing. That's the beauty of being human. We can change our way of thinking. This was The Big Lesson for me this year. 

6. I avoid confrontation/difficult conversations with enthusiasm. Like it's an Olympic sport. This is not healthy. Or helpful. 

7. I really need to see it written down before I'll do anything. (ie. "empty dishwasher", "make dentist appointment", "read book club book".)

8. Apparently I have ADHD.

9. I am a very good spider plant mom. 

10. I have realized I have low-key road rage. Mostly on 200th Street.

11. I am a more relaxed table owner when friends come over to make things at it, versus eat a meal there. I really really want to be a more chilled meal offerer, though. 

12. Multi-coloured Christmas lights that contain purple, pink and orange are superior. 

13. Flocked trees have a life span of about, oh, say, 5 Christmases. And then their naked selves require an awful lot of effort and baubles to fill in the gaping gaps. 

Three things I'm thankful for:

1. Friends who bring me their leftovers. Shepherd's Pie! Yummm

2. Colours.

 

3. Friends who share knowledge and supplies. 

Thanks for dropping by,

xo