Everything I Need to Know How to Have a Great Christmas I Learned from Star Wars

It’s almost here – the big day I’ve been carefully preparing for month – the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Also Christmas.

And they kind of go to together, too.

Let me explain.

We’ve been binge watching the Star War in chronological order which has given me deep insight into Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader.

Before watching the Star Wars in chronological order, it was easy to see Darth Vader as a one-dimensional character with evil at his center. 

But it’s more complicated than that.

He was scared to lose Padme like he lost his mother that he allowed himself to get swept up in his fear and anger, leading him to the Dark Side, just as Yoda had warned.

  

I feel so sad when I see Anakin as a little boy, knowing that he will eventually let his fear destroy him.

That’s when it hits me – No one is born Darth Vader. 

What a great thing to keep in mind with the holidays so close, right? 

Even those who hurt us the most.  It’s easy to put them in a box marking them as evil and mean.  But of course, it’s always more complicated than that.

Fear can settle in and change people forever.  In attempt to protect their broken hearts and wounded souls, they hold on so tightly to the things they want to protect that they end up destroy them.  I have seen people destroy the very thing they mean to save, just like Anakin almost kills Padme – the very person he swore to save.

When I boil down every holiday disaster, it all comes down to fear. 

Fear of change.  Fear of vulnerability.  Fear of letting go.

My fear is disappointing others, but when I let that fear rule, I can get swept up in the anger and suffering, either my own or someone else’s.  Personal boundaries are something I always struggle with, especially around the holidays, but that’s the very thing that keeps me from being seduced by the Dark Side, just like Obi Wan told Anakin.

But that guilt of saying no or not chasing someone down in an attempt to save them from the Dark Side can be like woah. 

“You’re going down a path I cannot follow.”

But personal boundaries save lives.  If Padme stayed and Obi want tried to convince Anakin to be a Jedi, they’d both be dead, and there would be no Luke Skywalker.

Oh, Luke.  Another one that had to honor his inner voice.  He wanted to leave his life as a farmer to join the Rebels, but Uncle Owen’s fear of losing him kept him home.  The Galaxy would have lost a great gift if Luke followed his fear instead of honoring his instincts.

Fear is a liar.  Fear wouldn’t have kept Luke safe and fear of disappointing Uncle Owen wouldn’t have kept Luke happy.

Fear will never keep anyone safe and happy – it only ends up in hate and suffering. 

Even Christmas cannot be saved by fear.

So instead, let the Force be with you during this holiday season.

via GIPHY

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