It's holiday time again. We love them, yes. But, if you're like me, all the media commotion makes it easy to forget their true meaning. And what's behind the true meaning of the Holidays? This year, after meditating on this question, three ideas came to mind: grace, gratitude, and random acts of kindness. With these thoughts, I give you my own three steps for making the Holidays more meaningful.
Step One: Find Grace
It's been a rough year full of deadlines, long hours, and a whole lot of doing. Now we enter into an even busier season! There seems little room for enjoyment. And therein lies the answer. In my experience, the business of life far overshadows its genuine excitement: the thrill of living in the moment, choosing a meaningful gift, or spending time with one another. How to get back to this state of childlike wonder during the Holiday season?
When I'm feeling frazzled or anxious during this time of year, there's nothing that centers me faster than reading the words of my favorite authors. Over the years, I've built an extensive arsenal of motivational books just for this purpose. I offer this solution to you, as well. If you're looking for a portal to peace and guidance: it's instantaneous.
Here are some of my favorites:
Dr. Wayne Dyer: “There's A Spiritual Solution To Every Problem”
Neale Donald Walsh: “Conversations With God, Book One”
Iyanla Vanant: “One Day My Soul Just Opened Up!”
Step Two: Be Grateful
To me, gratitude is an instrument of faith. Faith is paramount for bringing meaning and fulfillment to the Holidays. Here's an example: During this pre-holiday season, I felt hurt and disappointed by a friend who just stopped calling. In the past, the Holidays seemed to escalate disappointments, family tension, or friendships gone awry. Somewhere in my mind, the fairy-tale says holidays are about setting aside differences and loving each other. Yet, sometimes, friendships end and families disagree.
If you've had a similar experience, I've found asking for guidance from the universe in handling these situations can often dispel disappointment and create a sense of gratitude. Focusing on what is in your life that brings you joy can usually help you realize, everything is as it should be. If a friendship ends or family hardship moves to the fore during the holiday, we can learn to forgive. Moreover, when we are grateful for what we have, trust that we will be guided to handle the situation with a loving heart. Then we can open ourselves to receive the joy of the holiday moment.
Need A way To Find Gratitude This Season? Give This Exercise a Try:
Each day commit to taking a long look around yourself. When doing so, find everything you can to be grateful for: a kind and loving family, health, a particular passion or gift you possess. If you practice, soon you'll become overwhelmed with gratitude for what you already have. I hope you will find every ounce of negativity falls away. If you feel inspired, say, "Thank You!" aloud, in praise of the gifts you have already received.
Random Acts of Kindness:
When we've taken the time to nurture our souls by becoming more grateful and accepting this holiday season, there is a way to continue to expand our gratitude. How? By sharing it. For example, I've noticed, if I continue to give away what I have in earnest, it expands. Therefore, if we choose to create more joy, we can do so by causing another to feel pleasure. Here's my favorite way: random acts of kindness.
Need More Joy This Holiday Season? Give This Exercise A Try:
Begin by asking yourself, “How is it I may serve during this holiday season?” Can I give a few extra dollars to charity? Can I send a card and a short message to someone who I haven't seen in a while? Can I send flowers to my mom "just because?" If you look around, it is not hard to find ways to share a loving thought or message. For a small amount of time, effort, and money, it's easy to cause an earthquake of joy.
My Blessing To You:
May you find grace, joy, and love in this holiday season. For when your heart expands, you can give to others in earnest. Love is the true meaning of the Holidays: sharing what you have with those you love. I think you'll find, by giving a healthy dose of kindness away—there's just that much more to go around.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura M. Turner, journalist, author and Certified Natural Health Practitioner is the creator of the Body Talk eZine: Nature's Anti-Aging Treasures Website. She invites you to join her "10 Years Younger" Campaign and to learn more about living younger, healing yourself and those you love with quality retail or wholesale Young Living essential oils and essential oil-based products. Visit today and begin a healthier tomorrow.
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