I find the holidays to be a wonderful time, with excitement, anticipation and the desire to be ‘happier’ than other times in the year.

I’m not sure where this came from. Maybe it’s a bit of residual Christmas magic from when I was a child. Then again, maybe it’s just plain ole’ ‘unrealistic expectations’ and another opportunity to be tempted to fall into the infinite pursuit for happiness by looking to the outside world to provide it for me.

This is where I believe we’re mistaken. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fallen for that old carnival trick. Only to wake up the day after Christmas a bit depressed – bloated and gassy – and wondering why I chose to go down that tempting road of illusion once again.

Here’s my conclusion (and I have to tell myself this in order to be prepared for the days to come); There is nothing Christmas – or any other holiday for that matter – can provide us other than the opportunity to be with loved ones, that any ‘regular’ day cannot. No matter how much eggnog I drink, cinnamon rolls I stuff down my throat or alcohol one can consume, it comes down to remaining in the present moment and connecting with others.

And maybe, just maybe it’s an opportunity to give just a little bit more away to others than we usually do.

Now that sounds merry and bright.

I’m not sure how to compare myself to others, but I feel like, as an average Joe – or Jim, I’ve been around death a bit more than the average bear.

Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles – some closer than others. In fact some very close. And even close friends. A few of those I was there with them bedside within hours of their transition.

For whatever reason, I’m okay with this. In fact, part of me feels like I belong there with them. Almost like I’m the right person for the job. I’m not frightened of what I should or shouldn’t say. It’s not awkward for me in any way and I think the people I’m with feel that. It’s actually very peaceful.

There’s no place to run or hide and from what I can tell, their ego has long since left the party. It’s never more evident to me during these moments what is important to these people; connection with others. It’s about LOVE.

It’s always about Love. Maybe that’s why I’m so comfortable with those moments. Because after we strip it all down and there is nothing left, all we have is Love. I can live with that. And die with it.

It can be challenging for the best of us to always be on target with our choices and never give ourselves a break. We’re human beings not machines.

Even the most disciplined take time to throw caution to the wind and fall off the wagon once in while. But, that’s not excuse to unhitch the horses, light the wagon on fire and send it down the hill into the ravine to be destroyed in a fiery blaze of glory.

We must chose to limit our choices of being “less than” in order to avoid spiraling out of control only to wake up 12 hours later on a couch from a self-induced sugar coma feeling as swollen as the Michelin Man.

Here is where moderation can be a useful tool for us. So, let’s use it.

What good is it to self-reflect if we’re not able to objectively see what’s going on with ourselves? I know it’s extremely difficult for me to objectively be critical to myself with a certain amount of accuracy. I tend to get in my own way.

So, then maybe we should go to those Loved ones around us and ask them.

Often they are able to see traits, behaviors and habits we’ve tend to overlook. It may not be the easiest to hear, but it’s probably just what we need to hear.

If it’s going to help us evolve into a better and more well-rounded person, then I say why not?

Oh yeah. Don’t forget to check your ego in at the door.

I am therefore; I am enough right now in this moment.

There is no lesson, guru, shaman, book, initiation or classroom that one must endure to fill this cup.

It already is.

Let’s operate from there.