December 1st is here, can you believe it? I cannot. Life has a way of marching forward, and we must do our best to appreciate each moment. Holidays are a great time to reflect and count our blessing, no matter how large or small. However, many times, these special times of the year become constrained by outside marketing, stress to have everything perfect, and a feeling that we just are not doing enough.
For many people, the Holidays can be incredibly stressful as they feel pressure to get gifts, stretch themselves both personally and financially to only come up short. At each turn, it seems to be an endless plea for people to spend their money in hopes of securing the perfect gift for a loved one. I have come to realize that it is important to limit these worldly pursuits and look to more valuable items like spending time with loved ones, making someone else’s day brighter, or just meditating on the blessing in your own life.
Life becomes more manageable as we clear out the clutter and focus our attention on each day. When we remove the outside noise, we can find the inner peace that we are all seeking in one way or another. Some think that having more fun is equal to inner peace and happiness; however, it is a fleeting moment. Don’t get me wrong; having fun is essential, but we can find more sustained peace and happiness by focusing our energy on becoming a better person, helping others, and seeking to improve the world.
This Holiday season, I challenge everyone to look inward and think about how can you simplify your life and focus on the many talents and blessings that you have to offer. I understand that this can be difficult, especially if you are going through a difficult time, but we all have something that we can grasp on to to be thankful. Just the other day, we ran across a man on the side of the road and handed him a granola bar. He was overly grateful and stated, ” Any day on this side of the ground is a good day.” His statement rings true each day but takes on greater meaning when heard from someone who has little in terms of basic needs such as shelter, food, and water.
This Christmas season is an excellent opportunity for everyone to try and make someone else’s day better. Generally, people are more receptive during this time of the year and willing to accept acts of kindness, take advantage, and you will find more than just a smiling face, you will find a lasting feeling of peace and joy. Worry not about finding the perfect gift, but focus on spending time with those you cherish and do your best not to focus on yourself. If you can find a way to do this, it will be the best Christmas season of your life and an excellent template for each day throughout the year.
Nunc Coepi 