...and it's already day two of the New Year

Well, the outside decorations came down New Year’s Eve, and we managed to break down the rest of the indoor stuff yesterday. It was a predictable chore… one that I dreaded most of the time I was putting the decorations up over a month ago. Strangely I noticed I was in a much better mood taking the stuff down than I was putting it up, and the only explanation I can think of is that I actually must hate Christmas.

Actually, I know that’s not the case…as the fact-of-the-matter is I truly love the holidays. I typically start writing greeting cards somewhere around October 1^st (started on 9/29 this year…with seasonal music playing on Pandora) and I look forward to December all year long. Somehow those last few months of the calendar are always markedly better, and between changing leaves, cooler temperatures and college contests on the gridiron, I always look forward to it. It’s all capped off in December as we mark the birth of a very special child…and even with my aging years…it never gets old celebrating my birthday.  There is a downside though, and I think for me the hustle and bustle and anticipated stress of the season conspire to rob me of much of the early holiday cheer. When I’m putting up decorations, I’m obsessed with all there still is to do, and deflated by the reality that every hall I’m decking will have to be undecked. The prospect of all that looming work on top of everything else just isn’t very appealing.

Yesterday I noticed I was singing carols and happily sipping decaffeinated coffee as I methodically removed each ornament from the tree. When I was putting them on the tree, I was hastily throwing them up and using foul language each time one would inevitably drop and hit the floor. All I could think about while I was decorating back in late November was that every ornament I hung on that tree would need to come down. But yesterday didn’t seem so bad, and I even took a break or two to run through my holiday medley on the piano. Seems to me I spent more time composing and brushing up on my holiday repertoire this year…and that made the season more enjoyable too.

 We actually took the decorations down a bit later this year…normally I like to have them all put away by New Year’s Eve but we hosted a couple of post-25^th holiday dinners (one on the 27^th and one on the 30^th) so we decided to leave them up to keep it more festive. It was nice to stretch it out though, and  reminded me again that the Christmas season really is supposed to last a bit into the new year. It also gave me some time to reflect on 2014…some of what happened and the friends that were lost. All in all it was a fitting way to wind down the year. It’s not really usually like that at the end of the holiday season, so that got me to thinking about what was different about 2014.

Well, like most things people tend to overthink, it’s not really very complicated. This year, both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fell on a Thursday. My generous employer also grants the day after a Thursday holiday as a vacation day, so that meant a minimum of two back-to-back four day weekends. We also get Christmas Eve, and I just took New Year’s Eve off so I had two back-to-back five-day weekends. I’m 53, and at least in my 30 plus year work-life, that is the first time that has ever happened. Two back-to-back five day weekends, which means if you’re counting, that I’ve only had to work something like four of 16 days of late (only worked four days from 12/20 to 1/04).

What’s the point of all this? Well, all year long (probably about 45 weeks or so) I put out this poorly written blog each Friday morning. Most of the time, at least 75% or so, I’m making the case for stepping away from the grind and focusing on the things that matter.

Sadly as with most things in my life I am much better at making that argument than I am living it…and these last couple of weeks reminded me yet again the value of leading by example. I’m happier, much happier really, if I actually come off the field for a few plays and take a knee once and awhile.

So…I’m not sure what you’ve resolved to do in 2015, but whatever it is, try to take some time to do the stuff you enjoy with the people you love. It’s so simple really…but if you’re spending every down on the field, you’re not going to be worth much for that series when you’re needed the most. Don't be afraid to take a knee...and when you're rested...take the field with vigor and play like a champion.

Happy New Year...