I'm Emily P. Freeman and welcome to the next right thing. You're listening to episode 105.

This is a podcast about making decisions but also about making a life.

With four weeks left until the end of this year, it's possible you feel pulled in two directions,

at least. On the one hand, it could be easy to become overwhelmed with all there is left to do,

to buy, to make, to finish, and wrap up, both literally and figuratively. On the other hand,

you long for slow, for memory-making traditions with friends and family, a restful season for your

body and time of thoughtful reflection for your soul. It's a time for both gathering and retreating

for fun celebration and for quiet waiting. And in the midst of all that, it may also be a time of

decision, transition, and year-end deadlines. All of this begs the question,

is there a way to enter this season thoughtfully with our whole hearts? How can we manage the

holiday decision fatigue that seems inevitable? Is there a way to remain centered, even in the midst

of lots of activity? If you've had these questions too, listen in.

Last January, I made a decision that turned out to be one of the best decisions of my year,

but I didn't know that at the time. First, here's the decision. I decided that any invitation to

travel for work during the month of December would be an automatic no. This was a personal decision

for me, but I made it shortly after last December when I did travel for work and it took its toll on me.

For me this year, that meant saying no to several lovely events at various churches and other

gatherings. It isn't always an option to turn down work and I understand that may not be an option

for you or even for me in the future, but it was an option for me this year. Still, even as I made

that decision, I didn't automatically know if it was the right choice. Just like a lot of decisions

we make about our future, at the time, I made that one and I wondered if I would regret it later.

Well, later is now. Guess what? I'm happy to report. I regret nothing. I'm glad to be home. I'm

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