Opening a can of worms...

Did I open up a can of worms? I hope not and I so appreciate the comments on the last post. Beth, you said it......and I do want, "to focus on what brings me joy - and not stress!" The pressure to do what everyone else loves....stresses me out (especially this time of year!) But, as Reed is encouraging me to understand, I only have to do what I love and to stop comparing myself to others. When I do begin comparing, I feel lost and try to gain a sense of "Annie" again. For those of you reading this who do not know, I was raised without any holidays, other than Thanksgiving dinner and for those of you who are familiar with the Old Testament traditions of Passover and Day's of Unleavened Bread and so one. Each year starting at Halloween I have these feelings of "less than" about myself. Each year I usually have a long talk with my Dad about these feelings and He always "sets me straight!" He encourages me to not get caught up in the parts of the holidays that don't matter and that it's a delicate balancing act to do so. I also have to understand that most people were raised with all the Holiday"stuff" since they were children and therefore, have in their very core the warm cozy feelings surrounding the decorations and such and- I get that. Then again I also go to, then what of my kiddos? Do I need to be doing all the "stuff" so that they have the warm cozy feeling about holidays? Reed answers me, "No, honey the kids are just fine!" So it's seems I'm free if I do and free if I don't- right ! ? Now I'd just like that feeling of freedom to be at my very core and to stop doubting myself!!!! I truly appreciate you all letting me "figure" myself out here....you'll excuse me while I open my heart and be super vulnerable. I mean not to offend anyone at all in saying all of this! Maybe by the time I'm eighty, I'll have it all figured out?