'Twas the Night Before Christmas

It's Christmas Eve, and spending the day with kids lets you really see the magic of Christmas. Kids are full of anticipation, waiting for Santa, to see what will be in their stockings and under the tree on Christmas morning. They are innocent and full of hope. Eyes bright, they wait and enjoy the day.

Perhaps, before you settle in for the night with your little ones, you will be reading this famous Christmas poem from Clement Clarke Moore:

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds;

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,

Then, you tuck the little ones into bed. And that is when mom and dad make all the magic happen, and get ready for the next day. Eventually, the kids will realize that it was you making the magic happen all along, but for now, they are full of dreams of Santa Claus.

I hope that today is a day full of magic for all of you, my lovelies! Even as we grow older, Christmas time can hold a special kind of magic. It's a time for all of us to come together, find a sense of hope, love and family.

Although most people are happy at Christmas, this isn't the case for everyone, so it is important to be kind. Some people are separated from family for whatever reason, others have suffered the loss of a loved one this year, some people are stressed about money and gifts.

If you have a mental health condition or a narcissistic family, this time of the year can be incredibly stressful as well.

Make sure, no matter what the case for you, that you are gentle with yourself. Holidays are supposed to be a happy time, not a time that stresses you out. So, if something isn't feeling aligned for you, it is perfectly ok to say no. You can decline invitations, leave early, or set boundaries about what you will discuss.

Love is supposed to be at the forefront of our minds right now. So remember, that starts with love for yourself. If you aren't feeling it inside, then you aren't going to be able to create a memorable holiday for others either. No matter what you see in the media, not everything has to be an Instagramable moment.

Real life is messy, but you can still find beauty in the mess. When you look at the holidays as if you were a child again yourself, perhaps you can recapture some of the magic for yourself.

Find a moment today to take some enjoyment just for yourself. You can sit down with a cup of coffee, cocoa, eggnog or wine. Enjoy the warmth. Take a deep breath. Soak in all the lights. Enjoy the peacefulness.

Even a moment of stillness in a busy day can help you feel more like yourself. I hope you enjoy your day, whatever you are doing this holiday. Be well, my lovelies!