I have a tree in my front yard that fiercely holds on to its leaves. I don’t know if it is trying to prove something, or wants to win some sort of tree competition, but EVERY SINGLE YEAR the leaves wait so long to come down.

In previous years I’ve decided to go with the “natural” look (not raking), but this year the perfect yards that surrounded my home shamed me into raking. I decided that if I was going to do this I was at least going to try and get some exercise.

So, I started with a rake. Raking, raking, raking, and I realized something; leaves are heavy! From there I moved to the blower (exercise is overrated), and I was finally making some progress.

As I was doing some good work with the blower I noticed that the wind kept blowing the leaves back to where I had just blown. It was insanity. I’d blow the leaves, the leaves would blow back. I’d work a little harder, and so would the wind.

Eventually, it became crystal clear to me: The wind was out to get me, and clearly hates me.

That was the only logical explanation. It was then I realized that blowing the leaves WITH the wind was a better solution, and significantly more efficient. How amazing was it when I finally started working with the wind. Productivity increased, and I actually began to enjoy the task at hand.

This holiday season let my titanic battle with the leaves be a lesson: Go with the flow. Every year there is some person, gathering, or situation that you want to bang your head against the wall in frustration. And if you are anything like me you probably even begin to believe the lie that whatever you are up against hates you, or is maliciously out to get you.

I would like to suggest a different way. I wonder if all our holidays would be a bit more enjoyable if we took a couple of minutes to evaluate which way the wind is blowing, and rather than fight the wind, we decide to go with the wind. Maybe it means putting down our own agenda. Maybe it means that we don't have to be right, or we don't have to have it a certain way. Who knows what it looks like, just try the opposite of whatever is giving you the most struggle!

Of course, there will be some of us that won't give it up, and in that case my only words of wisdom is this: Enjoy it. 

Happy Holidays!