Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

It’s Christmas Eve, and I’m thinking of my dad, who is no longer here in physical form. Growing up, Christmas often brought out a deep nostalgia in him. He would become sentimental, easily triggered, sometimes picking a fight with my mom, then breaking down in tears and walking away. Later, he’d return, and we’d carry on as if nothing had happened.

Remembering this has me thinking about friends who’ve shared that they don’t even feel like celebrating Christmas this year because life has been crazy.

The holidays can be heavy with expectations. And maybe what’s most healing is allowing ourselves to be imperfect and messy. Maybe success isn’t a picture-perfect day, but the simple act of showing up for one another anyway. Choosing love, even when our baggage makes us feel unlovable.

This is Fiery Living — meeting life as it is, leading with compassion, and choosing to show up anyway.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!