The holiday season is here once again! Traditionally the season of love, joy and light, this holiday season is set against the backdrop of a tumultuous 2020. Our lives have been indelibly changed in so many ways by the events of this year. This year more than ever we long for the light, for brighter days that bring hope for the new year. Light is a central element in many of our festivals and traditions at this time of year, including Christmas, Hanukkah, the winter solstice, Kwanzaa. From twinkling lights on Christmas trees, to flickering luminaries lining driveways, flames of the menorah, or the Kwanzaa candelabrum, all of these spark hope and joy in our hearts; and we open to new possibilities and the hope for a brighter, more peaceful, compassionate and healthy world.
As we celebrate the season of light, we can each help illuminate the holidays by our thoughts and actions as we move through each day. We can intentionally be a light to others by the ways we choose to live and express ourselves in the world.
This article focuses on five simple ways each of us can brighten the holidays during this auspicious Season of Light.
1. Connection…
To Self – The most important connection you can have begins within. It is the connection to our authentic self, known as your True Self; it is who you really are. Your connection to your True Self is the central connection from which all your other connections and relationships spring. You can imagine it as your inner light of truth. Your connection with your True Self is about self-awareness and self-love. In order to love others, you must love and respect yourself. Take time this holiday season to honor who you really are. Spend some time in self-reflection on who you really are and what gives meaning to your life. This holiday season, gift yourself with the conscious intention and commitment to connect more deeply with yourself during the holidays and the coming new year. Your inner light shines brightly and illuminates the world as you live from your truth within.
To others – While new vaccines are becoming more available, the COVID19 virus is still very much with us for now; and so this holiday season we will need to celebrate in ways that protect the health and well-being of ourselves and others. Even when we cannot physically be with those we love, we can still be connected in our hearts. Stay connected by phone, social media, FaceTime, other other social media apps. Send heartfelt handwritten messages in greeting cards sent through the postal service. Send photographs that capture special memories and events of the past year. Brighten the holidays for the elderly and other family, friends and neighbors who may be isolated and experiencing loneliness by reaching out in warm connection.
To Traditions – The holiday season is a time to celebrate and honor our rich traditions that have been passed down through the generations in families and cultures around the world. Our traditions and rituals provide context, continuity and meaning to our lives. Many families have their own special family traditions and rituals that they look forward to. The activities you enjoy as a family today can become the special memories and traditions for the future. During this holiday season embrace the traditions you have or consider starting new traditions within your own family. This season signs of renewed hope are evident all around us and signal a yearning to connect to what brings meaning and a sense of normalcy. Many families have decorated their houses earlier than usual. Homes and neighborhoods are aglow with displays of magical lights. There are reports of unprecedented sales of live Christmas trees this year, perhaps pointing to a yearning for reconnection to what is authentic and real. What special traditions can you embrace this year to bring comfort, hope, joy and light to yourself and those you love?
2. Gratitude. Gratitude has a way of opening our hearts and minds. It can change your whole perspective. As your heart opens in gratitude, you may notice a sense of softening of your heart. The practice of gratitude has been shown to enhance well-being and happiness. It can open our hearts to appreciate the good in our lives and in the world. Despite the challenges we have faced in 2020, there is much to be grateful for. Spend some time each day during the holiday season reflecting on what you are grateful for in you life. What special experiences have you share with your immediate family and close friends as you socially isolated in your small social bubbles? How have you grown closer as a family? What important life lessons have you learned during this year? How can you express gratitude for those front line workers who selflessly have given of themselves to care for others? Each day think of three things for which you are grateful. Brighten someone’s day by extending your warm and heartfelt thanks.
3. Compassion. Compassion for others begins with compassion for self. Cultivate self-compassion by accepting who you are, by realizing your imperfections, and knowing that none of us is perfect. We are one humanity, in connection in ways that are ever becoming more clear. As we expand our awareness of our inter-connection, we cultivate compassion as we see that we are all in this together in all our imperfections and strivings. The choices we make really do impact others and the effects of our actions ripple outward. As our hearts open in love and self-compassion we naturally open our hearts and hands to help those around us. With open hearts, our seemingly small actions have broad impact that help make the world a brighter home for all.
4. Awe and Wonder. During the holidays watch the eyes of children light up in excitement as they experience the magic of the season. Allow yourself to experience the same awe and wonder with childlike innocence. We experience awe and wonder when we sense that there is something that is bigger than ourselves. At such moments our hearts open to not-knowing and accepting what is not yet ours to know and understand, but to experience. Remember the sense of awe and wonder you felt as a child during the holiday season and re-connect with those memories. How can you help create experiences of awe and wonder for others around you? For yourself?
5. Generosity. Open your heart to those around you. A giving heart allows love to flow in the world. As you make the conscious choice to tap into and live from a place of love, it becomes natural for that love to flow outward to others. Then, that love is returned to you. Love is a natural flow of giving and receiving. As you tap into your own inner light of peace and love, you naturally express yourself in a more loving and generous way. World peace begins one heart at a time. Choose love. Choose peace. While you may have limited financial resources, your generous and giving spirit opens the channels of love to flow in the world. There are numerous community organizations, civic groups, nonprofits, and the faith community with which you may connect to volunteer or give financially according to your ability The holiday season is a wonderful time to brighten your community by giving of yourself.
Warmest wishes for a holiday season of Love, Joy and LIGHT!!
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