Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is a nobler art of leaving things undoneThe wisdom of life consists in the elimination of nonessentials. Lin Yutang

As an American mom of three school-age children, I am entering, as many of us are, the busiest time of year. Sure there are other busy times, but nothing seems to quite compare to (Dare I say it?) the holiday season. This is a time many of us enter with fear and trepidation. The shopping, the wrapping, the baking, the decorations, the lights, the parties, the preparing for parties, the clean up after the parties, need I say more? If you are a woman, chances are you know exactly what Im talking about. Perhaps the worst part of it all is the build up of expectation that the season never seems to live up to. But, it doesnt have to be this way, however. We can choose a different path and actually enjoy this time of year for a change.

The first step to enjoying the holidays is to let go of the expectations. I dont know about you, but every year about this time I begin to let visions of sugarplums dance in my head. I want everything to be just perfect. I get a storybook picture in my mind of what the holidays should look like. it's a romanticized version I think I conjured up from some Norman Rockwell painting that never actually existed. The problem with expectation is that it limits the possibilities of what beauty there actually is.

The next thing we need to do is to decide what is most important and concentrate on those things. Make choices this year. Dont try to do every party or event. Go in with a game plan and decide ahead of time what it is you truly enjoy and focus on these things. Decide on just a few traditions that make you happy. And here is the key; say no to the rest. You will be tempted by all of the wonderful happenings that are going on around you, and they are all great opportunities. But when we do too much, we dont really enjoy any of it. Learn to choose consciously and say no to everything else.

Now, are you ready for the most important part? Once we have laid this groundwork, we can get down to savoring the moments for what they are. These can be fun times. Enjoy them. Stay in the present and enjoy the preparation as well as the actual events. Just slow down, be in the moment, and savor it as it is.

This is all about conscious choice. Your idea of a fun and beautiful holiday season may be completely different from mine. If you enjoy baking for everyone in your family, then by all means do it. Just savor it. And dont overdo it to the point where its no fun anymore. Let go of the impossible expectations, choose whats most important, and savor what you do choose. This is the recipe for a fun and joyous holiday season. Yes, it is possible. Then, take these principles and apply them to the rest of your life and see the difference they make. The thing is, just perfect can exist, because it already does. We just need to see it.