Stepping out of our comfort zones can feel so scary that most people avoid it whenever possible. To that I would say, SAME! It is not something I consciously choose. Yet I find myself doing it more and more and here’s why – in recent years I’ve really begun to understand what people mean when they say that letting go, or surrendering – giving up control – brings more joy than we can imagine.

I grew up in the midwest and then spent most of my adult life in the western mountains of the US. Recently we relocated to a more Mediterranean climate and at first I was nervous that I would miss the snow and chilly (ok, freezing) days I was used to around the holidays. Could Christmas really be Christmas if chattering teeth didn’t supply the percussion of the carolers’ songs? The first Christmas we were here I did miss all of that – it was hard to get in the spirit while wearing shorts and sandals. But now that we’ve settled in I can see all the fun opportunities the more moderate climate brings! Holiday walks no longer require base layers and Yak Trax on our shoes. Cute outfits can be accompanied by cute shoes instead of snow boots, and hats are worn for whimsy not necessity. And as cozy lights still warm up the houses on our twilight strolls, chirping crickets replace the sound of crunching snow.

I think I was struggling with the idea that to enjoy this new way of celebrating would mean lessening the joy I felt the rest of my life instead of what it actually does, which is add even more ways to play and have fun. I’m so thankful I got to learn this lesson in such a beautiful world!