Let’s be honest…this time of the year can be very stressful. Shopping, decorating, addressing greeting cards, hosting and attending parties, mailing gifts, studying for school finals, housing out of town family members and winding down your business for 2006 are all stressful activities. The fact that we’re expected to do them all simultaneously puts me in the fetal position, rocking and sucking my thumb!
How did things get so out of control? The intent of this time of year is to stop momentarily and step off the merry-go-round of life and focus on the people and things in your life that you’re thankful for. Actually letting people know how much you appreciate them, is the best gift you can give someone.
I admire people who have walked away from the commercial focus of this season and did away with the traditional gift orgies that leave most of us in debt this time of year. Many of these creative people I have met have chosen to have family “white elephant gift exchanges” where everyone brings a gag gift, tacky Christmas sweater or an inexpensive theme gift where the focus is on just being together and having fun.
I attended a family holiday party last night where we “adopted” a family that just got their first Habitat for Humanity home and we all brought a house warming gift for the single mom and her three sons. We all went around the room and said what we were thankful for, all 62 people, including children. Every single person mentioned their family and friends. When you really think about it…is there anything else that really matters more?
If you need a little reminding of the “reason for the season” here are a few ideas to consider;
Perfecting Connecting® Action Steps:
1. Look for a volunteer opportunity in your community that you could do together with your family/friends. Sharing a giving experience together is a great way to reconnect.
2. Introduce a new and creative idea that takes the focus off of the commercialism and puts it onto the importance of family and friend connections like adopting a needy family, white elephant gift exchange or taking a trip together with no gifts exchanged. Just being together is the gift.
3. Pick up the phone, write a letter or send a card to 5 people you’re thankful for and let them know how much you appreciate them and how thankful you are to have them in your life.
I’m very thankful to have such a supportive and responsive network with all of you. Because of your connections, I met my required 250 programs that I needed to complete my application for my CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation which I expect to receive this July! Thank you for all of your support and encouragement!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and Happy New Year!!!