The tortoise and the hare…

The holiday season is a time of year I anticipate like no other. The pumpkins and turkey of Thanksgiving transition to greenery and carolers in the blink of an eye, but, thankfully, the warmth of that four or five weeks starts early and stays late. Early in the fall I love to think about the gifts I might share with those I love, the messages I’ll include in my Christmas cards and the ways that I’ll take time out to appreciate the people around me when the festivities and celebrations begin. Spending time with family and friends, reflecting on the accomplishments and lessons of a year behind us- it’s really a special time.

That is, right up until someone pushes the fast forward button on the daily calendar and the pace of life (at least one’s perception of it) increases by a factor of a hundred. Phfew. Between working, shopping, traveling, attending, wrapping and any number of other verbs which are appropriate for our mid-holiday season days, it is no wonder that many of us feel overwhelmed at the time of year we want most to feel relaxed and at peace with our lives.

Last night my daughter and I were talking about turtles. Yup, she’s like many two year olds and loves them. We had one on our back porch for a weekend this past summer (we called him Mr. Turtle) and his presence at our home cemented turtles as one of my daughter’s favorite animals. Last night’s talk reminded me of the children’s story, The Tortoise and the Hare. You know the story; the turtle challenges a speedy (and boastful) hare to a race, while all of the animals in the forest gather to watch. When the hare stops to rest because he’s exhausted from his pace, the turtle craftily tramps by him and wins (to the applause of his forest friends). This holiday season, I want to find new and creative ways to be a turtle. To take my time and to reflect. To slowly but surely progress through December, taking pleasure in each of the special seasonal experiences that cross my path. To ignore preconceived ideas of what the holidays are “supposed” to be and just enjoy. Help my daughter build her first snowman, watch our twins meet their great grandmother, decorate cookies with a girlfriend, learn a new recipe, catch up with old friends…

After all, shouldn’t we all be able to experience the wonder of this season without having to collapse from our pace? January will be here before we know it and 2009 will be the chance to refresh and begin anew that each year is. It seems to me that December is a perfect time to be purposeful about life. To make our way slowly and surely, so as to hear life’s “applause”. Kids usually have insight about lots of things and my daughter is right- turtles are pretty neat.

And remember, in a race with a hare the turtle wins! Happy holidays!

– Jennifer Scott