Family, Friends and Festivity
For most of the year, we have a tendency to focus on our work, our finances, our investments and the tedious minutia gets to us and takes our time from day to day. But during the holiday season, we try to spotlight the family traditions that our ancestors have passed down for generations. We all enjoy this joyful time but as soon as the New Year arrives, we get right back into the habit of the daily routines. So, while we have them, let's enjoy every moment of the holidays with our family and friends by creating some of our own traditions.
We need to understand that celebrating the holidays in style is not about money and expensive presents. It is 100 percent about being with family and friends. The holidays are a time of surprises and caring. Develop your own special traditions. Decorate the Christmas tree with a degree of ceremony and family traditional. By the way, the ornaments that mean the most to me are those made by those closest to me. Maybe read your kids a holiday story by candlelight every night during the season or get a group together and go caroling at the hospitals or nursing homes in your town.
Simplify your holiday season wherever possible. If you "downsize" your holiday, you can make life much less stressful. Focus on three or four meaningful ideas and let the rest go. Make sure you plan for quality time with your family. Families should decide what things are important and what they want to do. Family time must be at the top of the list for creating holidays that are more meaningful for everyone. Emphasize "giving" rather than "getting" and center on the traditional values that is more about family than the mall. Traditions give us comfort and help us understand what the season is all about.
So many people spend the holidays a lot less blissful than they should and the ability to find the true meaning of the season becomes more and more challenging. Remember to think about the other guy, and maybe help someone you don't even know. Do what you can for those who have less than you do. No matter who you are, there's always someone you can help. Sometimes you can help someone simply by offering them a smile.
The holidays generate some very special feelings and remembrances in all of us. Childhood memories of holidays past abound while I look at my children and realize they will remember how we celebrate now and pass those traditions on to their own children many years from now.
If everyone can't be together, make sure you call out-of-state family and friends or email your special holiday greetings. Remember our troops overseas. There are Web sites where you can send emails to the military and amplify the nation's support. You can send them to HYPERLINK "http://anyservicemember.navy.mil" http://anyservicemember.navy.mil or HYPERLINK "http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html" www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html. Remember, our troops especially need your support during the holidays and this is a simple way to show that support. It's never been easier to communicate. Send pictures via the Internet or a traditional holiday card. Stay connected as much as you can, especially if you're the one who is away from home.
The holidays are here again and I wanted to take this opportunity to pass along some personal thoughts with you to take into the New Year. As we enter 2005, consider what is important in your life while you attempt to hold on to this very special feeling of happiness, helpfulness and understanding until we see the holidays come around again.
Happy Holidays!
Originally published in the Outspoken e-newsletter.