For many of us, yesterday was the last day of our low-key, pajama-filled winter break and today we return to our typical routines, our '8-5' work schedules, school night bedtimes and regular exercise regimens. If you're lucky enough to have time off to celebrate the holiday season, then perhaps you found yourself wrapping gifts for loved ones. One of my favorite activities of the year is wrapping thoughtful, carefully picked gifts, while Holiday movies play in the background and the reflection of tree lights dance along the floor. While wrapping gifts this year I lit the soy evergreen candle that my sister, E, so thoughtfully gave me a year ago. Her desire to craft something by hand and pick out individualized containers to hold these olfactory treats helped me see beyond the gifts themselves.
They are more than money and time spent - they are gifts from people who love us and who we love. While the gift itself goes beyond the fun paper and pretty bow; wrapping gifts for loved ones is an opportunity to flex our creative muscles. It's our chance to think beyond the paper and incorporate elements that can be used long after the last bow is untied - like cookie cutters. Why not?
Creativity comes easily when it's rooted in love. So as we return to the 'real world' again, it's my hope that we'll all continue to remain light-hearted, and make time for the things that are important to us. In my case, that's choosing quiet mornings, creating with my hands and getting outside. In fact, I'm going to pencil in creative time each day to help me reach my longer term goals. I've learned that I'm most successful when I stick to a slightly flexible routine and commit to chipping away at my big ideas, little by little. Maybe you're this way too? In case you are, I'll be cheering you along.
