By JB Lester
If you were to drive down Innisfail Drive in Webster Groves this holiday season, you might expect to see a little yellow house lit up with bright white Christmas lights. It is normally a beautiful sight, twinkling in the December darkness. My wife loves the little white lights each year as they bring her great joy. That’s why I was so surprised when I suggested a change this season. “This year let’s try some of those big colored lights like we had when I was a kid,” I said walking through the holiday light section at the store. I knew what she would say as I had been asking for these for a few years now. But to my surprise, she agreed. I smiled broadly. Now we have a blast from the past house. Very nostalgic. Big colored bulbs lining the eaves of the house and garage. I also put up some little white lights in the trees and bushes to make her happy.
It was a compromise made in heaven. And it looks very heavenly. It just goes to show that you never get what you don’t ask for, so like Dori says, “Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.” Truth is, relationships are all about compromise. The longer you are with someone, the harder change can be, often making compromise difficult. But never say never.
Holidays are a great time to loosen your grip on stubbornness and widen your horizons. Maybe even eat a piece of fruitcake. Let that special someone have their way, even if their way seems crazy or ridiculous. Switch things up. Traditions are great, but variations on the theme can also bring you great joy and excitement.
Put judgement on hold for the holidays. Let actions speak louder than perceived motives. Rejoice with family and friends and be happy that you have someone to love and someone who loves you. Remember all those wonderful holidays you spent as a child? Relive those memories through your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Bring an open mind to the table and listen to new thoughts and ideas. Change can be a growing experience that just might surprise and enlighten you. At a time when life feels very tribal, leaving political talking points alone and opening your heart could bring you great joy.
No one loves tradition more than I do, but sometimes you just have to shake it up. Put a little change in your life. Mix tradition and change. You can’t create a tradition without trying it first. Maybe this year put up colored lights instead of the little white ones. Let the kids decide what to have for Christmas Eve dinner. What?
Holidays are a great time to embrace change. But don’t worry family, I am still making my oatmeal raisin cookies. Some things should never change. Yum!