“It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: what are we busy about?”~Henry David Thoreau

Ahh, the holiday season in full swing.  Want to see people at their best and worse this is the time.  All you need to do is go to the mall or go retail shopping.  Hello, Christmas spirit I’m not seeing you in that ultra crabby woman yelling at both her child and the clerk-way to multi-task lady.  Hello, Christmas spirit, I’m not seeing you in the man that just cut me off for a parking space.  Way to save yourself thirty seconds of walking buddy.

Christmas spirit, I believe, gets lost in the madness of being ‘busy’.  Not so much being productive, but being busy.  And busy doing what?  Buying stuff you don’t need for people who you feel obligated (not moved) to do so?  How is that working out?

If you are a religious person, during this season do you really believe God is going to be disappointed in you if you do not buy everyone gifts and give the gift of yourself and/or your time instead?  Do you think God will be pleased as punch with you reflecting on some of the crap behavior and/or attitudes you may have inflicted upon strangers and/or family while stressed out of your mind trying to get everything you feel needs to be done during the Christmas season.  I don’t remember reading anything about egg nog, entertaining, the mall, shopping, etc. in The Bible.  Maybe I missed that part. 

What are you celebrating Christmas for…your God or something/someone else?  Who should you be celebrating this season for…?  You make a difference, year round, make sure it is a positive one.  Let your behavior and spirit be a spark of hope for someone else.  A simple smile and kind word can change someone’s day, week, life.  Share your gratitude.

Remember, Isaiah 40:31

” but those who hope in the LORD  will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, 
they will walk and not be faint.”

Are you hoping in the Lord? 

My favorite Christmas gift this season has been and will continue to be my friend Jen inviting me to go to church with her and her family on Christmas Eve.  Why?  Because truly and deeply, that is what it is all about.  My other favorite gift is feeling honored that another friend asked me to help her get healthy throughout the upcoming year. 

The best holiday season is one that is authentically lived and shared/given by you.  Your example and light will be so much more for others, than anything you could ever buy them!

Don’t get me wrong though..I’m still a BIG fan of Santa too 🙂