Re-ReLeasing, as in the Holiday Spirit: 'tis the Reason(s), Part 2

Breadth and Depth..."So informed and deep": Two measures of knowledge, two ways in which we psychologists find out how smart and/or intelligent you are, as well as two ways to appreciate what/why we are celebrating these days and those to come for the next few weeks around here. The first being sort of the "Jeopardy" type of knowledge, a HUGE bank or facts readily recalled, with which you attempt to impress the person standing next to you at the holiday party, being able to recite the number of holidays and their respective dates, when it was celebrated five years ago and when the holiday they name for you will be celebrated 25 years into the future (assuming it's not cancelled by this 'culture' of ours)... "impressed" they certainly will be, if you define impress as rolling of the eyes, deftly donning earbuds the longer you talk, drone on...The latter, the why/how things are the way they are, including the holidays, are represented by those who show, demonstrate an understanding, appreciation for more than surface level understanding, knowing  how and why the trivia the first respondent, the one who may have beat the others to buzz in on "Jeopardy"...can you imagine how long the show would go on if the host asked (in the form of a statement?) "Now, can someone here explain why that's the correct or how the champ here finally came up with the wrong answer...?" Could be interesting, but a bit long, if not contentious. In the context of holiday know-it-alls, this is represented in part by the author of "What You Thought You Knew About Christmas" (as well as just about every other holiday and milestone you might be marking). If you are fortunate to be seated by the host of the dinner party next to one of these well-informed, all too willing to invite you into a conversation about the holiday du jour, which you enter innocently enough, just to be met with "So, did ya' know that both the date and the way we are celebrating is way off, that actually (a key word in their culturally correct vocab)...Impressive eh?" Yeh, if you define impressed as "Oh, look at the time...Oh, I need more punch, be right back...(probably NOT!)". Worth considering, both breadth and depth, that is, in order to appreciate the range of holidays, just in case the category does come up on Jeopardy...and to appreciate the how and why in order to bring more quality to the particular one you are trying to celebrate. 

Advance Planning: Not to be confused with "Paying it forward" (an increasingly popular adage the past few years), that which benefits from past learning, taking the accumulation of your personal knowledge and that of a legion of others (e.g., holiday lore), who have shared the journey, eventuating in this (Hallmark?) moment. Represented by quotes such as "Next year I'm not gonna'...please remind me if I go overboard again like this...before I get stressed out like this, I need to remind myself what this is really about...note to myself, reminding me to appreciate all those whose toil, tears, and sweat brought us to this moment rather than making it all about me (such as when we bless all the hands that prepared the meal, frequently just two?)". Reflections of a successful entrepreneur who, not taking away from the moment of celebrating a great year, reminds all those in the (zoom?) room "What it took to get here, what we were told was just short of impossible...trying to repeat such a feat will be even more so, unless we keep reminding ourselves, strengthen our resolve..." And the manager of a local sports franchise who finally reached a pinnacle after decades of coming up short, imploring all those in reach, "To appreciate all those behind the scenes, those who have gone before us who started this journey that has finally come to fruition...what it will take to even make the playoffs again, even more deliberate effort, diligence..." 

In the Office, Around the Town: Whether I am advising an aspiring Olympian or thespian, those that are prepping for a long-term goal that is inevitably going to involve many twists and turns ("A Long and Winding Road"), an otherwise arduous journey...OR prepping for a day of obligation with relatives, pausing the (re)action, reflecting on history, being in the moment, as well as incorporating what you are learning for next year, holiday next...all the ingredients covered in this and last post, should prove useful. Otherwise, what I would avoid, while in the punch line, are some other punch lines ("So, did ya' know that...?"). Don't be a party stupor.