The Holidays are upon us again, and though it is a time of family gatherings and celebrations, it can still pose challenges to our already stressful and busy lives. Time flies, as they say, but sometimes it doesn’t feel like we are having so much fun. These days, people are busier than ever, juggling family, work, and schedules that fill up their calendars each month. It is easy to get caught up in the frustration of trying to keep up. I know this because I have felt that frustration many times in my own life. What I have learned is that being frustrated and overwhelmed can take a toll on our mental well-being and our ability to see the positive in situations before us. Thanksgiving can feel more like another deadline instead of what it should be: a time to reflect on what we have to be grateful for in our everyday lives.
My Story (2002)
Having had my own business for many years before I ever worked in the library system, I would usually be quite busy during the holidays, working longer hours to get everything done. The year 2002 was no different in that respect, except that year I got a phone call that would change my outlook on the holidays and what truly matters. I had been bogged down with work and did manage to see some family, but I never had the opportunity to see my brother because we lived in different towns. It was not unusual for us not to speak on the phone on a holiday, because we were both accustomed to only a yearly phone call. I had always imagined that one day, when we were older and retired, we would talk and see each other more often. The morning after Christmas, I got a phone call from a cousin telling me the news that my brother had a massive heart attack on Christmas Day and didn’t make it. That day has had a deep and lasting effect on my life and how I view what truly matters.
What Truly Matters
A wise mother figure in my life once said, “We always make time for what matters to us”, and as I have gotten older, I have come to understand more and more how true that statement is. Since that day in 2002, I have learned to make more time for the truly important things in my life: family, friends, and enjoying each moment with them. I have found that the more I focus on these things, the more I realize what I have to be grateful for.
The Perspective of Now
My favorite poet, Emily Dickinson wrote, “Forever is composed of nows,” and I feel that truly depicts what it is to be present in each moment. When we are constantly thinking about what needs to be done tomorrow or what should have been done yesterday, it is difficult to be present in the things we are doing now. I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to appreciate what I have done when I am so focused on what I have not.
The Choice of Gratitude
For anyone who has been through the loss of a loved one or is dealing with extra stress of any kind, I know it can be a struggle to see all the simple blessings that surround us every day. But like so many decisions we make in life, appreciation and thankfulness are choices we can make even during difficult times. The wonderful thing about that is it can have a comforting and healing effect, and who doesn’t need a little comfort when they are feeling down?
The Reward of Expressing Thanks
Once we see how therapeutic a grateful mindset can be, it makes perfect sense to share our gratitude with others who have made an impact on our lives. Friends and family can enrich our lives in so many ways, and telling them what they mean to us and how thankful we are can be a blessing for both of us. This can be done in so many simple ways: send a letter in the mail, give them a big hug the next time you lay eyes on them, pick them some wild flowers, make them a homemade gift, or just spend time with them to show how much we appreciate their presence in our lives.
Thankfulness is a choice that is truly a win-win in life; it creates an atmosphere of contentment that affects all involved and is a great way to live, not just at Thanksgiving time but every day of the year. It soothes the aches from a stressful life, and it is a gift that keeps on giving all year!
So here we go; allow me to go first and say "Thank you” for taking the time to read this blog and hear my story and thoughts.
I appreciate all you readers out there more than my words can describe! Now it is your turn. Pass it on to someone you know, like mashed potatoes at the dinner table.
What are you grateful for?
Here are some great books to give your heart a boost of gratitude:
The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace
Add a comment to: Gratitude in Good Times & Bad