Denise Scott

If you are a “true trini” woman I bet you are not even half way through your Christmas chores. The cleaning, painting, shopping, I am guessing may all still be happening on Christmas Eve.

Since I am one of those horrible culprits who promise that by December 15 all my chores will be completed, but never actually begin any until December 14, this article is dedicated to all of us.

Let’s admit it – the root cause of the situation in which we find ourselves is procrastination. That big over-used word is a very real problem that affects many women. 

Everyone procrastinates. We all put things off because we don't want to do them, or because we think we are too busy. Putting things off is natural, but if you are like me and your procrastination leaves you feeling discouraged and overburdened, Sister, you have a problem!

Don’t you dare come over to my home anytime between December 1-24! All our chairs are overturned, the curtains are down, and everything is ready for that gracious day when we begin our Christmas cleaning. That day never, ever comes before December 20 and is never completed before December 24 at perilously close to midnight.

So ladies, let’s take control of our life this Christmas and plan ahead to get the job done! Let’s take the responsibility to stop procrastinating and go out and get things done now!

Then together we can enjoy the true meaning of the season. It’s funny though. The Church gives us Advent as the season of preparation, as a sign that if we fail to prepare we will not be ready to receive Christ; mystically, historically or magically and yet each year many of us fail to grasp the lesson of the season and wait until the last minute to make preparations to celebrate Jesus’ birth.

This year, the following are some of the tools we can use to ensure a peaceful Christmas: Instead of being overwhelmed by painting the house, cleaning, polishing, washing the windows, baking, we can divide the great Christmas chores into small daily tasks that seem less intimidating.

We can also create a “to do” list. “To do” lists are not novel to me at Christmas time; it’s just that I never really make one until Christmas Eve.

 This year we can list in advance everything we want to do before Christmas, and tick them off as we go along. Begin with the easiest first.

Another thing that we can all do is eliminate distractions; for me its my talkative sister, who regardless of how busy I am starts up a conversation; too many times I have no idea what she is talking about or why she is having the conversation with me; but I stop what I am doing and start talking. This is an ally in procrastination because it gives me a reason for my procrastination. No matter what the reason, it is not good enough.

As Catholic women of faith, let us unite and support each other in our desire to stop procrastinating and instead follow the words of scripture “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!”