Finding it in Our Hearts to be Kind This Christmas Season
Ever wonder why it's hard to discover the Christmas spirit in some people? Ever find yourself embracing your inner Grinch instead of the generous, kind, benevolent soul you're theoretically supposed to be at the most joyous time of year?
Quite often, stressful feelings, being in a rush, and feeling pressured all seem to get the best of us at Christmas. Stress shows up as frowns on the faces of harried Christmas shoppers, impatient line cutters at the grocery store, and people who steal your parking space at the mall.
What if holiday stress also spills into your personal life? An empathy-lacking husband who doesn't understand why you'd want to spurge on Chinese takeout after a long day at work and long lines at the stores. A child who pouts and whines after being told that Santa might not be able to bring all 20 items on her Christmas list. Pressure from family to do extra work for the holiday celebration… time you may not have.
Sometimes we just have to pull up the emergency brake on holiday stress, and say enough is enough. If we can't find peace and joy in our immediate experience the holidays… how can we make it be so, and give our heart what it truly craves?
If you'd like less stress and more love, patience, kindness and peace this Christmas, here are a few simple ways to manifest these in your life.
Approach with Empathy
Happy holidays also come with their fair share of ruffled feathers and bruised egos that result from crossed signals and misunderstandings. If you spot a conflict starting, make a connection. Tune in with listening ears and observant eyes to see where someone may be struggling. Put yourself into their shoes and really imagine what they may be feeling. Maybe you can even relate to what they're going through.
The best way to offer benefit of the doubt and believe their best intentions is by way of empathy. In return for trying your best to understand another, you might end up with a great conversation, a warm hug, laughter and storytelling over a shared meal, or even someone who's willing to cooperate with you so you can accomplish more together.
Search for Where You're Needed
Sometimes at the holidays, our do-gooding goes unappreciated. This can make us feel like others take us for granted, or don't recognize our worth. If you find that appreciation is lacking within your own circle, extend your reach. There are many places in the community that need your support.
If filling bowls at the local soup kitchen would also fill your own heart, go for it. Singing with seniors… knitting for newborns… sending Christmas spirit to soldiers… all of these gestures are easily found, and welcomed at the holidays.
Trade Pain for Patience
Impatience is a killer of Christmas spirit. We see it in others and we feel it in our own haste. What is your inner voice saying as you go about fulfilling your Christmas obligations? You can erase your heart of negative feelings and replace them with gratitude for other people and their contributions.
If someone isn't working fast enough for you, notice why that might be. Are they much older, and slowing down? Are they blessedly young, and taking the time to enjoy life the way that you may have temporarily forgotten in your rush to do and be it all? Are they overwhelmed? Seek to share a smile. Find ways to make some special memories with others. Is someone struggling? Notice the good that they do. Offer to help if you can.
Give an Unexpected Gift
One way to tell stress to stuff it this holiday season is to offer an unexpected gift to someone else, or a group of people. You may feel like you're already doing so much. How can you fit in one more obligation or task? What more could you possibly give? Take stock of what's on your to-do list. What would you be happy to ditch…. what can you let go of?
If it would make your heart so much happier to sing Christmas carols with your kids than string lights up on the roof, drop the extension cord and just go for it. If you feel like a burst of generosity would turn the holidays right-side-up for you, then go buy some hats and gloves to donate to a local nursing home, the school, or whomever may be in need. You could do something as simple offer a huge tip to your hairdresser as a Christmas bonus.
The real spirit of Christmas that lives in all of us, and that we can easily keep alive if we try, is just the simple act of being kind. Think of the many ways you can show kindness in your own life this holiday season. Be the kindness you seek!
Have you grab my free gift yet?