Why is it that the days leading up to Christmas seem to run in slow motion? I don’t know about you all but I am SO READY for this break. I know someone just said, “Duh, aren’t we all?” The thing is, this year I am approaching Christmas with a very different attitude. Normally at this point in the year I am beyond exhausted and basically holding on for dear sweet snow days in an effort to recharge my battery.

This year feels different.

Perhaps it had something to do with my “Year of Yes” (and yes, I will be blogging about that before year’s end). I just don’t feel the malaise that has become so much a part of this season.

I know part of this good feeling comes from me picking back up my paint brush. And I know that some of this feeling is likely the direct result of my reconnecting with friends and loved ones regardless of the expense. But I know it’s more than that. I am growing and changing and rearranging priorities in my life and you know what?

It feels grrrrrrreat!

So even though there are truly disturbing things happening all about us, I am glad that I found my hope again.

Marta C. Youngblood is a writer, education and social entrepreneur based in Lubbock, Texas. For more information on her current projects visit https://about.me/MCyoungblood.