Christmas Anticipation

The city is full of signs that Christmas is around the corner which is fine by me. Even though it can be a busy time (but then again: what time isn`t) it is also an invitation to take the early sunset as a hint to get cosy and realize: the world keeps on turning if I leave some work – as much as I may fancy doing it now – behind for the next day. As a matter of fact there`s always gonna be work.

I usually think  to myself: let`s power through this project and then, once I`ve worked through this, things will slow down. Well, this has not come true in years and years. Once something is done, something else pops up. I need to keep a balance now, not later. So for a few evenings this week, I`ve applied the habit of an employee and tidied my desk by six to finish off work for the day. And I have to say I have found that so relaxing to decide: now it`s time for something else.

Christmas is all about love because God is love, and Jesus came to remind us of this. It`s difficult to love when I`m stressed and have more to do than I can handle well. I need to make time for it. Stephen Covey writes in his book “7 habits of highly effective people” about a man who told him that he doesn`t love his wife anymore: “My friend, love is a verb. Love – the feeling – is the fruit of love the verb or our loving actions. So love her. Sacrifice. Listen to her. Empathize. Appreciate. Affirm her.” That`s such a good point: to love is first a matter of doing – the feeling will follow.