At this time of year our attention often turns to what we don’t have rather than what we do – and for good reason! The season of non-stop shopping is almost here.
With Thanksgiving approaching, the race to get ready for the next round of holidays begins. Soon we will have celebrated the season of plenty. Then, with the advent of the first official days of Christmas shopping, we enter four frenetic weeks of looking, finding, ordering, and buying. We go from celebrating abundance and gratitude to experiencing the overwhelming requests of needs, wants, and desires.
Before we head to the mall, it would do our souls good to give ourselves a reality check – by not only counting our blessings, but by focusing on them. Money will be spent on many things in the next few weeks, but it can’t buy the most important gifts: good health, a loving relationship, close family ties, caring friends and community, the fulfillment of creative expression and inner peace.
We often forget these things, not because we are ungrateful, but because we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. The things that money can buy will never fill the deep need within us for acceptance, love and connection.
Let’s make a commitment to do the holidays differently this year. I know it’s good for the economy for consumers to madly spend money. It fuels our capitalistic system. But few of us really need more stuff! Most of our closets, drawers, and garages are already stuffed with things. Too many things!
Sadly it only takes an hour to open all the presents bought during the 4 week holiday spending spree. Hours of shopping for an hour of surprise and pleasure! Does this really make sense?
So why not do things a bit differently this year? We can scale down the Holiday spending splurge. We can hold on to those Thanksgiving feelings of gratitude a bit longer by generously reaching out to those around us with feelings of well-being, tolerance and compassion.
Did you know that it takes fewer facial muscles to smile than to frown? So why not practice smiling more, being kinder, gentler, and more patient? Instead of getting caught up in the holiday rush, reach out and re-connect with a friend, acquaintance or relative that has drifted away. Why not even smile at the retail clerks?! Their jobs must be grueling this time of year with longer hours and impatient customers. Or, you can reflect on how you can enrich your relationships with quality time – truly sharing and caring – the whole year long.
This holiday season spend less time rushing, buying, and doing. Instead, make an effort to be present and mindful of what is truly important. Try to give the gifts that money can’t buy: understanding, connection, love, and peace.
If you long to connect with others who want to express gratitude, then please join us for the In Her Name Circle Annual November Gratitude Potluck.
If you long to connect with others who want to express gratitude, then please join us for the In Her Name Circle Annual November Gratitude Potluck.
November 20, 2015
Hours: 7 to 9:00 PM
Location: Unitarian Universalist of San Mateo
300 E. Santa Inez, San Mateo, CA 94401
RSVP here.
Bring a favorite dish and share your gratitude with other sacred women who honor the Divine Feminine. No entrance fee but a collection will be taken for the Second Harvest Food Bank.
The Holidays can be a difficult time for some people. If this is true for you, then please contact Joy today for a complimentary 30-minute consultation.
Email Joy or call 415-819-8769
