Have you heard the story of the pot roast?
It goes something like this;
A mom prepares a pot roast for dinner and meticulously cuts each end off before putting it in the pan.
Her daughter, who is helping, asks why she cut the ends off.
The mom replies I don’t know. That’s just how my mother always did it.
Why don’t you ask your grandmother?
She does and gets the same response.
So she goes to her great-grandmother and asks the same question.
The great-grandmother replies I cut the ends off because the roast didn’t fit in the pan!
The moral of the story? I think there are a few.
But as we prepare for the holidays, it reminds us that it’s not always a good idea to do something just because that’s how it’s always been done.
To fully enjoy the holiday season, let’s stop and think about WHY we do what we do.
When we know why, we can decide whether to continue or change our course.
Years ago, one of my kids asked me why we had ham for Christmas dinner.
Good question.
I’d never really thought about it.
It’s what my mother and grandmother always made for Christmas.
My son’s question created awareness.
As we all discussed, it turned out that none of us even liked ham.
That year, we decided to have steak and crab legs, and it was much more memorable and enjoyable.
Did you know you get to decide?
I know it sounds wild.
But as I’ve discussed the holidays with my clients over the years, I’ve discovered many ways to celebrate.
Some love to stay in their pajamas all day, while others love to get dressed up and go out.
There is no “right” way.
Last week, I asked you what you love about the holiday season and what you dread.
I got some very interesting and different responses, but they all came down to this.
We dread what we believe is happening to us.
We look forward to the things we choose.
And many think you don’t have choices.
Many think you must do it the way it’s always been done because that’s what’s expected of you.
I’m here to tell you that you always have a choice.
When we understand we have choices, we are free.
And when we really get that we’re free, we experience joy.
So, this week, my question for you is: Where and when do you feel you don’t have choices?
Does it come from what others might expect of you?
Or maybe what you expect of yourself?
Or maybe something else?
Hit reply and let me know what you discover.
Your discoveries and awareness are the starting point for your freedom and joy.
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