8th Day of Christmas: The Hustle & Bustle of the Holiday Season
The Hustle & Bustle of the Holiday Season
by Conrad Toner
There is a great French song called “Noel N’est Pas Au Magasin”. “Christmas is not found in the stores” but in our hearts and in our hands. I find myself humming that song this time of the year and thinking about the words. I love Christmas and I would like for other people to love it as well.
However, for many people Christmas is a time of fear, loneliness and stress when it should be a time of peace, love and happiness. How do we change this? Are we over doing it when we try to please other people? Does our ego sometimes get in our way and we end up over spending?
We tend to get caught up in the commercial side of trying to please others and sometimes over spend, buying things that most people never use or at least only use for a short period of time.
We tend to look for happiness on the outside, as the song suggests, instead of in our hearts and in our minds.
There are so many ways to enjoy Christmas without going through all the hassle. As this holiday season comes to a close, I suggest that you take a few minutes to sit down and write up what you would really like Christmas to feel like for you next year. What do you want out of the Christmas Holidays? How much money do you want to spend? Don’t be afraid to tell people that you are cutting back on the material side of giving. You will find that people will respect and understand your decision.
Telling someone that you love them and appreciate them is a much more valuable gift than trying to please them with material gifts that you cannot afford. Personally, I love getting al nice note from people wishing me, my wife and family a Merry Christmas.
It doesn’t cost anything to compliment people. If you can sing and you have the time, join a Christmas choir and make use of the gifts that you have been given. Volunteer to take someone who doesn’t have a car grocery shopping, offer to spend time with your grandchildren. This will give their parents much needed time to spend together without having to worry about finding a babysitter. Not only will this be a great gift, but there is nothing better to put you in the Christmas spirit than spending time with children.
For those of you who know someone who is particularly down this holiday season, maybe they have lost a loved one or perhaps a job or they just won’t be able to get home for Christmas to be with their families. You could offer to take them out for a coffee or help them decorate for Christmas, perhaps just go for a drive and look at Christmas lights.
Maybe you are the one who just can’t seem to pull yourself up this holiday season. Take a moment to call someone who makes you smile. Fill your home with the sounds and smells of Christmas; this might help you get into the spirit of the season.
It is my hope that you all take the time to count your blessings this holiday season and embrace all the possibilities that are on the horizon for the New Year. Wishing you all a very happy Holiday Season from my family to yours.
Conrad Toner
Conrad Toner is a certified Law of Attraction Facilitator & Trainer who owns and operates Conrad Toner Coaching. He lives in Grand Falls, NB, with his wife Linda. Together they have raised four children and now have 10 grandchildren. For more information about Conrad’s coaching services and seminars visit his website at www.ConradToner.com.
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