I have a love-hate relationship with this time of year. As a mom I love the excitement it brings to my household – the homemade gifts that my children carefully plan and make, the laughter, the family traditions and stories lived and retold. I even manage to keep my sense of humor as we all agree that we need a “smaller” tree this year and yet manage to erect another fourteen footer (they always look so much smaller in the woods).
However, for all the joy and generosity that this time of year seems to bring, I never fail to be disappointed at the speed with which it flies by. Every year I am determined to slow it down, make lasting memories, and take a moment to breathe in the magic. I’ve been doing that for fifteen years of my daughter’s life. Wow – fifteen years – where does time go? As we do every Sunday evening, we sat down a few days ago to schedule out our week – the last week of school, the last sprint before the holiday. Every night is booked – dance, school concert, guitar lessons, scouts, and the list goes on – three kids, three different directions. So much for slowing it down.
When Monday arrived I jumped online to begin some updates to our social media and took a minute to review some of our posts over the past year. I also glanced at some of my employees’ posts. I am proud to say that they are active in their communities. One helps with fundraising for a children’s home, others are involved in their schools and churches. They raise monies, bake food, read to kids – they are wonderful examples of “slowing” life down – even in the midst of their own chaotic lives.
I recently took some time off to complete an advanced degree. To make a long story short, I had limited to no availability for weeks on end. Everyone in our company stepped up to carry the extra work load – no complaints, no “why me?” – just a quiet can-do attitude. They carried forth our projects and continued to serve our clients on a daily basis. On the rare occasion when they needed input from me, they patiently waited hours (if not days) for a reply to their email.
I am back to work now, slowing uncovering my desk and working through the back-log of “to-dos”. It doesn’t look like this year I will be able to slow down the holiday season either. Maybe slowing time down isn’t the answer. Maybe, just maybe, the answer lies in my attitude – in recognizing the small gifts of holiday cheer that pop randomly into my day; in being grateful that I have the ability to run in three different directions. I think I will just have to be happy with that!
So, to all of you out there, we at Meetings Northwest want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season. And to all the wonderful people that I work with on a daily basis – thanks for “slowing down” long enough to take care of what is really important.
Have a blessed new-year everyone!
Traci Ulberg
About the author:
Traci Ulberg actively chose to base her business (and life) in the beautiful state of Montana. It is here that she has found not only a talented pool of professionals, but also the post-work activities that help maintain a healthy life balance. She enjoys all things outdoors with her husband and three children. She also harbors a secret love for building and is known for lending a hand to friends and family that have framing, roofing, and wiring projects. No fear of heights here!
