You Can Still Reclaim the Spiritual Meaning of the Holiday Season

As the holiday season fast approaches, we often find our world speeding faster past us. There just doesn't seem to be enough time in the month, weeks and days, for all that we have to do. We are trying to keep up with decorating, shopping, parties, end of the year meetings, purchasing that special new cellphone that is on sale and keeping up with the gift giving of our friends and neighbors. We are so swamped with everything, that we often don't take the time for the true spiritual meaning of the holiday season.

However, there is still time. This article will give you some ideas on how to salvage the special meaning of the season before it passes.

First, write down your affirmations or guidelines for what you want the season to be about. You can write it on a post-it note or an index card. Place it where you can see it. Place it on your bathroom mirror or in your wallet.

Examine your motives for the holiday season. Is it about keeping up with your gift giving friends? Is it about trying to out compete with them? Or, is is about bringing service and light to others? Is it about trying to make every persons party? Or. is it about visiting someone that you haven't seen in some time? Is it about eating and drinking more, until you feel wasted? Or, is it about your quest for a deeper meaning in your values? Only you can examine this yourself.

Work to control things that you can. In life their are things that you can control and those you can't. focus on what you can. You can control binge eating and drinking. You can control arguments and bad language. You can control charity towards those in need. You can control over spending. You can control visiting a lonely friend or neighbor.

For some, the loneliest time of the year is the holidays. Look around you. Has a friend or neighbor recently lost a loved one? Seek them out and spend some time with them. Invite them over or take them shopping. Plan something that is constructive with them. If a person lives far away, pick up your cellphone and give them a call.

Look for something good around your life. Many individuals brace for the holidays, when they should be embracing the holiday season. Sometimes the smallest good can shine through to liven up your spiritual meaning of the season. You just have to look for it.

Finally, take some time for yourself. Get away from everything for a few hours by yourself. Pick a place and time just for you. Schedule a block of time for your mind. Find a place to just relax and enjoy yourself. For some, it might be a few quiet moments in church. For others, it might be a stroll through the park. This time, for yourself, will give you the opportunity to focus on the spiritual meaning of the holiday season.

sources; Leonard Felder,www.beliefnet.com