One of my favorite holiday movies of all time is Love Actually, an early 2000 British classic among Gen X-ers and the like. Throughout this humorous, heart-felt, quirky, kitschy film they use the line, “Because it’s Christmas….” to rebuild friendships, confess love, and just downright be real.
I’ve been using this line for weeks now. And it’s liberating.
“Because it’s Christmas… I’m going to give candy to the kids at school.”
“Because it’s Christmas… I’m going to have a piece of chocolate at breakfast.”
“Because it’s Christmas… I’m going to stifle the angry urge to curse out the person who just stole my parking space and instead give them a nod and a smile.”
“Because it’s Christmas… I’m going to spend more money than I should on gifts for my loved ones because it just feels good.”
“Because it’s Christmas… I’m going to wear ridiculous holiday-themed hats and slippers and shirts.”
“Because it’s Christmas… I’m going to drink more tea and coffee than I have in over a decade.”
You get the point. Call it an excuse. Call it an opportunity. Whatever the case, Christmas gives me reason to be a little nicer and a less frustrated perfectionist.
Some people hate the holidays. It’s too commercialized. Too much pressure. Too many sad memories. I get it. I’ve been there.
But not this year.
Because it’s Christmas I’m doing everything I normally do but with even greater purpose and zen. And I’m doing it in fuzzy elf slippers and a t-shirt that reads “Santa is my Sugar Daddy.”
Busted Flip Flops 