All summer we sat with some big questions and so many of you wrote back that I couldn't let our rhythm end with August.

So here we are again, with the leaves turning somewhere (not so much here in Southern California, where I have serious nor'easter envy;) and the holidays are already peeking around the corner.

A few Decembers ago, when I sat down to write to you, I typed "19 days until Christmas" and felt my heart rate jump just looking at it.

I'd already written FINISH STRONG on my bathroom mirror, given myself the full Vince Lombardi speech, and then I made THE list.

You know that crazy one…Design the Christmas cards, hand address every envelope, ship early to beat the lines, bake for the clients and the neighbors, make pepperoni bread for the sports party, throw a big dinner party and say yes to every happy hour and invitation, even if it meant three parties in five hours every weekend. YIKES.

Somewhere in the middle of that list, I admitted the truth. I was tired of rushing, and I wanted a season of magic and ease instead of one I had to white knuckle & smile.

So I started putting things down. The cards and hand addressed envelopes went first. We stopped going to every party and picked our favorite each week. We stopped traveling at Christmas so we could keep the chaos a little more contained and be home together. And guess what? Christmas still came and it was vibrant & I was present.

And here's what surprised me. My whole body exhaled. I could finally slow down the way this season has been asking us to.

The days get shorter, it's dark before dinner, the bears are off hibernating and everything in nature is turning inward, yet we fight it.

We pile on more and fill every square of the calendar and then wonder why we limp into January exhausted.

This year, let's move with the season instead, and let's do it together.

Every week from now into the new year I'll be here with Fall and Winter Conversations.

One story, one question and a little space to notice what this season is asking of you. What your soul really wants.

This one is tender for me as our son Jason left for college this fall and he's coming home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I already know I don't want to spend those days rushing past him on my way to the next thing. I want to be right there at the table, soaking up every story he wants to tell.

So before the invitations start rolling in and the list starts writing itself in your head, sit with this one with me:

When you look back on January 1st, what do you want this season to have felt like?

Not what you got done, but how it felt. Maybe it's three words or one statement, or a picture of a certain night around your kitchen table. That's the holiday prep I can get behind. Getting clear on this now makes all the difference.

Write it down somewhere you'll see it every day, and if you feel like sharing, hit reply. I'd love to hear yours.

Cheers to a season we can savor ❤️

J'aime xo

Photo by Libby Penner on Unsplash