Well it’s the last few days before the Christmas holiday and you know what that means.
That’s right: long lines, lots of wrecks, rushing to get last-minute gifts, hiding from the new coronavirus variant, and all sorts of other holiday joy.
This year has been tough for me. And I know I’m not alone.
So my plan—and it might be tough—is to give myself a little grace. I think you should give yourself some, too.
Ever since this summer when I had my second child (in the middle of a push to reach my new book’s publication date), I have struggled. When I wrote about it, I had a friend (with three kids under three years old) respond, “Give yourself and everyone else in the family some grace. Like, a lot of it. Daily.”
That has stuck with me throughout the year. Even as the year got tougher.
In October I lost my brother. He was so well-loved we had to have three memorial services, in which I had to prepare eulogies for two. I had a TEDx talk in early November (a four year goal of mine) right in the middle of my newborn’s two-week stomach virus that caused him to have at least 10 diarrhea diapers per day. Oh yeah, and I still had that book release to get through.
It was all challenging, to say the least. To be honest, it has been the hardest point of my life.
So I continue to (try to) give myself some grace as each day comes and goes.
But here’s the thing: I am not unique, nor am I alone.
My problems might be unique, but having problems (even what seems like compounding problems that are dumping new ones on you every day) is not.
These past two years have been challenging for all of us. And the person in front of you that won’t go when the light turns green is included in that group of “us.”
So while I urge you to give yourself grace and forgiveness, I also urge you to give others the benefit of the doubt that they could use some, too.
We’re all just trying to make it the best we can.
So breathe. Take your time.
When you want to floor it past that bad driver in the parking lot of a shopping center, take an extra moment.
When you want to snap at that person who just doesn’t “get it,” ask yourself what’s to gain.
And when you feel like it is all caving in and you don’t have time or energy or money to handle it all, just take a break. Reset. Rethink. Then ask yourself if it is absolutely necessary.
Because as far as I see it, we all just want to relax and have a little break.
So let’s allow ourselves to. Agreed?
Rain Bennett is a two-time Emmy-nominated filmmaker, writer, and competitive storyteller with over a decade of experience producing documentary films that focus on health and wellness. His mission is simple: to make the world happier and healthier by sharing stories of change.
You can read the rest of “Right as Rain” here, and check back every Wednesday on Chapelboro for a new column!
