In the Spirit of the Season

This past weekend, I went shopping with my mother to a nearby shopping center.  I was completely dreading it.  I really dislike the crowded stores, newly trained clerks who were only hired for the holiday season, and the crazy parking lots.  Plus, it was freezing outside; literally, the temperature was +12 degrees F.  I was sure the experience was going to be nightmare-ish.  But, I was willing to suck it up to help out my mom with the rest of her Christmas shopping.  (I have had my Christmas shopping done for a couple of weeks.)

On Saturday morning I was up and at-em bright and early and we drove the 1 hour and 45 minutes to the nearest shopping center.  The whole way there, my mom rattled my ear off about where she wanted to go for returns, exchanges, and purchases.  By the time she was done listing off everywhere that we should go, I thought that I might have to call my husband to let him know that I wouldn’t be home for a few days.

Somehow, during the long trip to the mall, I managed to just let everything go.  Which, if you know me, you know that this is near impossible for me; I can be rather high-strung.  I’m a planner.  I like to have things organized so that I know just what to expect.  Okay, so I’m obsessive-compulsive.  (It’s self diagnosised, but others will tell you that it’s true.)

I’d like to believe that I’m slowly changing how I view and handle situations.  Like I eluded to before, I can be impatient at times.  I’ve been reading this book that I got from Barnes and Noble by Rhonda Byrne called The Secret Daily Teachings.  This book has helped to remind me of what is truly important in life.  I’d highly suggest reading this book, especially during stressful times such as the holiday season when we tend to loose sight of the joy of the holidays.

From what I’ve observed recently, Christmas can have 2 different effects on people.  As I was shopping, there were the grumpy people (which mind you, is usually me).  They are frustrated by the large mobs of shoppers, the busy streets, and the long lines.  Completing the holiday shopping on a Saturday right before Christmas is their worst nightmare.  You can just tell by their body language that this is the last place on earth that they would like to be at that specific point in time.

Then, you have the happy-go-lucky people.  These are the people that don’t pay any attention to others around them.  They are living in their own little bubble as they shop, and don’t notice that they’ve abruptly stopped their cart and you swerve to avoid a near death rear-ending in the middle of the Target aisle.

On Saturday, I was lucky enough to be one of these people.  I shopped without worrying about around me.  The long lines didn’t perturb me, I was surprisingly patient with the newbie clerks, and I didn’t have to drive so the parking lots didn’t matter.  What a relief it is to just let go of the little, unimportant things that can so easily get a person frustrated!  Plus, all of that extra pent-up stress is so bad for your health!

I arrived home that night (yes, we actually did get to all of the stores that we needed to in 12 hours!) with an amazing feeling of calmness.  I think that it was the spirit of the season that made my experience so enjoyable.  I was able to take one thing at a time and not let all of the little annoyances build up.

So while you’re doing your holiday shopping, think about what type of person you become,  Are you the grumpy shopper or the happy go-lucky shopper?  What do you do to maintain your attitude?

Don’t get so caught up in your shopping that you forget the reason for the season!!