Burning the Christmas Candle at Both Ends

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. 
- Roy L. Smith

By now, you have gotten most of your preparations completed to celebrate Christmas, right?  Well, if you have not - you'd better hurry!  In all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season - how is your body holding up?  There are some folks who have not slept since Thanksgiving because they don't think there are enough daylight hours before Christmas to get everything done.  

So, you've sacrificed sleep to wrap gifts, and you've skipped breakfast and used that time to do a little last minute Christmas shopping.  You say, "I'll think about my needs after Christmas - but for now I have to think of everyone else and their wants and needs."  Well, I commend you to a point.  Beyond that, however, I'd like to shake you back into reality.  I would venture to say that the people in your life - your loved ones, would rather have a healthy you than a self-sacrificing you!  If they knew what you went through for them, they would probably tell you to quit it!

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.   - Burton Hillis

I have one specific thought about Christmas that I'd like to share.  We are celebrating the birth of Christ.  The single most wonderful event in the life of a Christian.  Yet, to look around at all of the self-centered decor and the presents and the parties, one would think it was our birthday we're celebrating.  I know that people love a good party - and I'm no exception to that rule.  I love any excuse to throw a big party - or go to one.  But this is Christ's birthday - not mine! 

Let me ask you a question:  When you are feeling like that Christmas candle has been burning at both ends, do you find yourself trying to compensate with food?  If you are not re-charging your batteries with sleep, then you must be getting energized from something!  If it's not sleep, chances are - it's food!  I would guess it's not raw broccoli and dip either.  It amazes me that people are shocked when January gets here and they have gained weight.  Really???

There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries. 
- W.J. Cameron

This is the time of year when every person in America gets their "naughty" recipe out to bake!  Those forbidden foods are everywhere - !  There are so many sugar-laden snacks and goodies setting around this time of year - it's not difficult to just grab at the sugar!  Sugar does provide energy - for the short-term.  A better plan, however, would be to carry some more healthy alternatives with you so that when you feel like you need a pick-me-up, you've got a more healthy alternative with you.  If you must go without sleep - (which I do not recommend) - then at least be prepared with good food.  

The ideal solution is to sleep when you should and let some of the holiday stress go!  If something doesn't get done this year - so what?  Let it go!  Chances are, some of the stuff you think is so important is not that important to your loved ones anyhow.  Don't be so high maintenance!  Take care of yourself first - then take care of your loved ones.  Spending time with them is what means the most to them, not the presents you give them.  They want you to be happy and healthy for a very long time - that's all that matters to them!  If you're not, then you probably need to re-evaluate your priorities and make some adjustments. 

Enjoy the Christmas Story, read by Roma Downey.

http://youtu.be/AFVCuJJr--k



Today is NATIONAL PASTRY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Enjoy this one in moderation.  Have fun!