Celebrating the Reasons for the Season

December 25 is fast approaching and with it all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.  This is the time of year when we can get frazzled with all the preparations we have to do.  We're running around buying the latest toys for the kids.  We're cleaning and decorating the house for parties and gatherings.  We're cooking and baking up a storm.  In between all these extra activities, we still have to keep up our regular day-to-day tasks, like work.

With the commercialism of Christmas rampant in our society these days, it's helpful to remember the important aspects of the season beyond acquiring the latest toy for the little kiddies (and big kiddies.)  Here are some that I can think of off the top of my head:

• Take Care of Yourself!  Remember that this is the season of giving.  Give to yourself first.  Take extreme care of yourself at this time.  Get plenty of sleep, eat nutritious foods (overindulge if you feel like it), get some exercise (anything that you enjoy doing), and enjoy some leisurely activities (whatever nourishes your spirit.)  When you take care of yourself you will have the energy to thrive during the holidays.
  
  
• Giving, giving, and more giving!  Christmas is naturally a time for giving presents to our loved ones.  But more important is the giving of ourselves in the time that we spend with those loved ones.  When the toy has been forgotten and the last bon bon consumed, the memories of those special times spent together will linger on.  Give your time and make those memories!
  
  
• Tis Better to Receive!  Receiving has gotten a bad rap in our society because it is perceived as being greedy.  It's not!  When practiced with the best of intentions, receiving is an act of love.  Think of it this way, when you give someone a compliment and they reject it, how does that make you feel?  Not very good.  Right?  On the other hand, when you give someone a compliment and they accept it, you feel great.  Right?  The compliment is a gift of love.  Receive it!
  
  
• Gratitude!  While you're thanking people for those compliments (and gifts), remember to express your gratitude (then you'll get more - compliments and gifts!)  Practicing an attitude of gratitude gives your life abundance.  You'll be able to see the blessings pour in.  Christmas is the perfect time to count those blessings.
  
  
• Good Will Toward Men!  Do something nice for someone else.  Consider volunteering or even just helping out a neighbour.  When we take the focus off of ourselves and place it on someone else miraculous things happen.  The Law of Attraction states that anything we give our attention, focus, and energy to, whether it is positive or negative, we get more of.  When we give to others selflessly, we receive back so much more than we put out.
  
  
• Peace on Earth!  Christmas is a time when we naturally feel charitable towards our fellow humans but sometimes there is friction with those same humans.  Is there someone that annoys you?  Has someone hurt you?  Finding it hard to forgive someone?  Perhaps now is the time to bury the hatchet (not in their back!)  Ask yourself what having peace with this person would do for you.  If the answer is to improve any aspect of your life, go for it.  Make peace with the person.  Release that negative energy and allow more positive energy to flow through you.
  
  
• Traditions!  Traditions are the glue that holds families together  Shared experiences and memories create life-long bonds.  If traditions have been lost due to family breakups or losses, don't be afraid to start new traditions.  Discuss with your family what you would like to experience during the holidays and let everyone have a say in creating some new rituals to celebrate.  Creating new rituals will help to cement the new family configuration together.
  
  
• Love Is All You Need!  The Beatles were right when they sang "Love Is All You Need"  Love makes the world go around.  Love is the binding force that glues us together.  Love creates families.  Love creates friendships.  Love creates communities.  Christmas is the perfect time to show someone you love them.  Spread the love around.
  
  
• The Reason for the Season!  In the Christian faith, the birth of baby Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas on December 25.  Whatever your faith practice (or non-practice) is, this time of year is a celebration of life in all its glory.  A time for families and friends to gather together.  A time to slow down a bit ((after the shopping is done, of course) and relax.  Cherish the time you have together and create happy memories.

Above all else, when you are celebrating the season remember to celebrate YOU.  You are a gift.  There is no one else like you in the world.  You are a perfect being filled with love, light, laughter, and possibilities.  Give yourself a big hug and say "I love you!" to yourself.  You deserve it.

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