I can't agree more with losing the old expectations and just appreciating what is and losing bad habits of manipulation.

Good points!!!

TL, the holiday actually went really well for me and my family. We had a great Christmas. In the past I used to get really stressed about gifts, family get-togethers, etc... but I have totally learned to let go. I wrapped the kids presents early so I didn't have to deal with the "I don't want to go to your dad's for Christmas eve because I'm too busy...."

I was open and flexible to every thing going on. Not stressed. Anything negative that happened I just kind of did the best and moved on. I even threw a Christmas dessert party the Saturday before xmas, did some radical baking and was calm and happy through the whole thing!!! It was really good.

Overall things were good, but I did have one very bad backslide at the end of a snowboarding trip we took around New Years. It was like I fell back into the hole and had to climb out. But I'm out now and doing much better.

Thanks for asking, and also sharing your great insights!

There is no arriving, ever. It is all a continual becoming.