From Deseret News archives:

Best Christmas gift? A peaceful home

Published: Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005 11:52 a.m. MST

By Marla Cilley
For the Deseret Morning News

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When it comes to peace we always have a choice. We may not believe that we do, but when it comes right down to it we have chosen the paths that either end up in peace or chaos! It can be as simple as a fork in the road; one sign says, "Spend 15 minutes" and the other one says, "I'll do that later!"

So here it is the holiday season! Some of you have been enjoying the peace that comes from just doing 15 minutes while others can't wait for it all to be over with. My Christmas musing is for those who probably won't read this till next week because of this Frazzled Franny state that they have chosen for themselves the past few weeks.

Instead of reading our e-mail reminders, they have been deleting or ignoring the simple messages that could help keep them on a path toward peace. Their perfectionism and, yes, rebellion have helped them to choose this path to frustration. My gift to you is quite simple, but I can't open it for you. All I can to is wrap it up with tender loving care, but my gift is not worth anything unless you allow my message to help guide you to a new way of thinking.

In our quest for perfectionism and rebellion, we tell ourselves that we don't need someone to tell us what to do. If you have never celebrated a peaceful Christmas, then what you have been doing was not working. You can't blame others for the chaos, so it is time to quit whining and decide that this is not the destination for you!

I want every day to be a celebration of peace, not just Christmas Day. Your homes should hug you and fill your life with comfort. A nice home is not just for guests. Aren't you and your family more important than the once a year holiday guests that visit your home? You live there every day! It is your refuge from the day-to-day pressures that greet you when you walk out your door.

It is time that you opened up your gift of a peaceful home! When you do, the peace will overflow to every part of your world. For those of you who have been enjoying a peaceful holiday season, the peace is contagious! You are going to use the things that you have learned to keep you on your path of peace. For you see, peace is not a destination, it is the journey! Enjoy every baby step, and if you do get a bit sidetracked then catch yourself before you get lost in the chaos again! You will find that it is better to stop dead in your tracks and do 15 minutes than to wander deeper into perfectionism, procrastination and eventually chaos!

My gift is here for you! I want for you what I have: peace. I am willing to share this peace with you. If only you will accept it with the love that it is offered up to you! It was only after I established my routines, got my home in order by getting rid of the clutter and started to take care of myself that I found me! Now isn't that the best gift you can give yourself? Now I am crying purple puddles. It was only six short years ago that I discovered my path in life! What is your path?

I love you all! Merry Christmas!