All I Want for Christmas

Right up front, just so you know, I find this asking very, very difficult!

And, not only at Christmas time, but all year long – I really hate asking others for anything for me or for favors for things that I might want or need, especially if I can manage it for myself.

Do you suffer from this issue as well?

I was taught to ask or want for very little. I think it was due to the after years of WWII and my parents were starting out without a lot of monetary resources.

I also found out that what I wanted versus what I received never seemed to match up – so I had many years of holiday disappointments that also taught me the lesson of not asking or expecting much.

As years went by and I was the mother of more children than money, I made most of the clothes and gifts for my immediate family and then found ideas for gifts that I sent to extended family. I never focused much on what I wanted – mostly on things that I needed. (It’s not the same!)

Later, with a job and more expendable income, I just bought myself what I wanted.

Now in retirement, I am finally learning the art and skill of asking for what I need or want. In fact, I recently made a list and checked it twice and held my breath as I pushed the send button and saw it fly away to my family.

Before I sent it, I did the research of what and where to find it and how much each item would cost so they could let their fingers do the shopping online.

Even though I worked up the courage to ask, I still didn’t want it to be any trouble or inconvenience to them – oh, and I wrote a paragraph on what I wanted those particular items (most were books that would help me take my eco-printing to the next level).

And so, another lesson learned and applied – for if you cannot ask for what you really want, then you can’t be disappointed that you don’t receive what you would really like – or worse, that you receive nothing. 

I suppose this lesson will expand as I continue to age and will need help and support for more than just a gift. I’m hoping the lessons learned this Christmas will stretch and open me to be able to more comfortably ask for what I need and want in the future.

XOXO, Lorrie