What Made the Difference?

I recently returned from a Family Reunion/Thanksgiving/Birthday Celebration, where I hosted and fed 47 relatives for 3 and ½ days!

As my family will tell you, I am not a relaxed, easy going, “come what may,” kind of person. And yet, this family event was wonderful and flowed so well and easily!

It went so smoothly in fact, that even as we headed home after the event, I was thinking of what I’d do differently next time.

Such as:

don’t try gathering for breakfasts. People have different wake up times.
Buy more plastic forks. You’ll use more than you think.
Don’t let turkeys and hams thaw in the fridge without being in containers to catch the melting liquids. Cleaning the fridge would be so much easier for my son. 🙂
Make sure, long hair is pulled up high on the head when playing games involving tape. You can save your daughter’s hair from the scissors but it will take some doing!

Notice that all these suggestions for improvements are pretty minor. What a blessing to not have regrets!

It wasn’t always this way, though. Previous reunions that I’ve hosted, I would be worried about any and every thing, feeling responsible and trying to make sure everything was just right, never being able to relax and enjoy the experience or the people I’m with.

Having learned:

to accept who I am.
to accept others for who they are.
that trying to force things to be a certain way, does not work and only blocks love.
that I can meet other’s needs and serve others more fully when I have honored and loved myself as much as I honor and love them.

You may read and agree and quickly gloss over these lessons, but I invite you to take a moment and explore how well you truly understand and have applied them in your life. What changes would you experience if you did?

I invite you to experience a different holiday season this year by loving and accepting yourself and others just as you and they are!

Much love,