Holiday Spirit

How’s your Holiday Spirit? It can be tough to maintain when personal and work demands refuse to let up and the December holiday “requirements” are piled on top. When I’ve taken time to stop and enjoy the holiday opportunities presented so far this month though, I notice that perspective and sense of holiday spirit returns and everything seems do-able and fun again. Gift exchanges at association meetings, choral presentations, parties, shopping with friends, the Parade of Lights in San Diego Bay all gave me moments to remember what’s really important.

I love this simple story of appreciating the wonder and awe that’s all around us, all the time, especially this time of year:

Early one morning, a man, whose family was staying with some friends, was awakened by the sounds of his small son. To accommodate
his crib, their hosts had placed it in front of the guest bedroom’s window. The child awoke before anyone else and was captivated by the
view outside. He was standing up peering out the window. The sounds that woke his father were his whispered words, “wow”… “wow”.

His father was amazed by his child’s sense of awe and wonder in that moment and shares the story to remind we busy adults to tap back
into our own sense of awe and wonder and slow down and see the world a little differently.

Most of our days are very very busy right now. Can you take just 2 minutes to give yourself this gift?
Approach everything you do this week with a renewed vision – one of awe and wonder, if you will. Spend time with a child and notice how they see the world with much wider and wiser eyes than grown ups. Watch as friends and coworkers joyfully get together to share holiday cheer. Notice the beautiful decorations and music in offices, stores and your own home. And take special note of whatever it is about this time of year that brings you joy, wonder, inspiration, and a renewed outlook. All facets of your life will benefit.

Wishing you, your friends and families much happiness and joy this Holiday Season!
May all good things in your life be that much better in 2007. Here’s to a great New Year for us all, at work and at home!

Have a great week!