The Full Martha (Stewart)

No, I told them, I had to go “Full Martha.”

 

What does that mean exactly? 

 

A Full Martha is, as they say in the beauty pageant circuit, the “full package”- coordinated, themed food and decorations in a clean home presented by a well-groomed and cheery hostess who isn’t exhausted from all the party prep. (Fondant use is optional.)

 

Halloween is my favorite holiday. It’s all about fun and fantasy. It’s also an excellent opportunity for expressing creativity. 

 

Most people choose to think of a Full Martha woman as someone who is full of herself or not playing with a full deck. Perfectionism can be addictive and destructive. We all know what Jesus thought of Martha. She was too focused on the things that didn’t matter, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet enjoying the company rather than merely preparing for it.

 

Well I believe we all have an Inner Martha who needs a chance to flex her creative muscle now and then.

 

I started taking my writing life seriously six years ago. For the first three of those years, I beat myself up for the time I wasted not pursuing my dream. One day it occurred to me that while I hadn’t been writing for many years, I was still creative. My Inner Martha had me scrapbooking, cooking and decorating. In fact, I did something creative regularly. My crowning achievement was our famous annual Halloween party. Each year I unleashed my Full Martha with full force, plowing full steam ahead with the best decorations and party favors the neighborhood had ever seen. (Fondant free.)

 

Looking back, I honestly believe that those years spent tending the household creative flames helped steady me until I was ready to lead a writing life.

 

But is all this focus on doing things missing the point? Isn’t there something about Mary I should be paying attention to?

 

Yes, there are times when we need to embrace our Inner Mary. Sometimes it’s enough to just be in the moment. In fact, most of our time should be spent this way. Being in a constant state of doing often gets in the way of enjoying what’s going on. But I don’t want anyone to shy away from an opportunity to create the moment.

 

I challenge you to express yourself creatively this week. Perhaps you’re not ready yet to embrace your Full Martha. That’s okay, start with your Inner Martha instead. See what she cooks up.

 

Betcha it’s a good thing.