Guilty Pleasures

Guilty pleasures: something, such as a movie, television program, or piece of music, that one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard.
Oxford dictionary.

In this time of collective chaos, and uncertainty, we feel our lives are out of our control. And if a pandemic wasn't enough, as a project manager of the most orchestrated event of the year, you feel the sole responsibility for pulling off Christmas and for Making Magic happen.  Even if we no longer have children in our homes, it's a hard reign to relinquish. We all need an escape to lightness and the familiar such as movies, music, white bread or twinkly lights that evoke happiness, contentment, comfort and nostalgia. They are, in fact, our guilty pleasures. We need them now more than ever.

My guilty pleasure- Watching the Women's Network while eating toast. Sappy Christmas movies with predictable plots that usually include: A New Yorker returning to her small town; a rekindling of a high school romance; a condo development in the heart of the downtown; all culminating in a tree lighting festival on Christmas Eve with a happily ever after. There is: good-looking leads; wonderful coat fashion; and best of all, a predictable happy ending. Zero stress. My husband won't admit to it, but there are times he's on board as well. Together, we let go of the stresses of the world and chuckle at the familiar pool of actors, and we even fill in and re-write the plot lines.

Bottom line: Create your own self-preserving rules. Escape and indulge in your guilty pleasure. It's good for the soul and your psyche. And the best part is, you can plead the 5th or speak about it unabashedly. Either way, you own it. And with regard to Christmas, remember the wise words of Dr. Seuss:" It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags...Somehow or other, it came just the same!"

...But don't forget those twinkly lights.



Thank you to my sister, Leslie, for creating and providing the 'painted houses'.