5 Blessings To Be Grateful For This Holiday

Authentic joy comes from acknowledging and appreciating the many blessings you have in your life. Here's 5 things you can appreciate this holiday season, from my new book, "Happy Christmas: 101 Blessings to Be Grateful For All Year Round."

1. Christmas

How wonderful it is to be in the holiday season! You might find yourself decorating the Christmas tree, shopping for gifts, putting up lights, eating candy canes, or sipping hot chocolate by a warm a fire on a cold day. Perhaps you’ll spend time with loved ones, visit family and friends, exchange gifts, go to church, and talk about fond memories of Christmases past. Everywhere you go, there may be festive music playing, and you can’t help but sing along. The child in you may reminisce about leaving cookies for Santa and waking up Christmas morning to see what he left you. The holiday season has different meanings for everyone. Whatever it means to you, celebrate it. Appreciate it. Be grateful that another Christmas has come.

Something to reflect upon: What does Christmas mean to you? What are your fondest memories? What are you most grateful for?

2. Family

Christmas is the perfect time to be grateful for your family. Family can be your blood relatives, significant other, children, and/or others that you consider to be your family. This is a time when you can choose to celebrate fond memories, cherish the time together, forget about the past, and put aside your differences. You can find things to be grateful for in the people you most admire and the relationships that are most challenging. Perhaps you express your gratitude by finding the perfect gift for your loved ones. You can also show appreciation by telling them in your own words. You could do something nice for them, or simply spend time with them. If you’re comfortable, a hug can mean a lot.

Make new memories: How do you want to remember your Christmas this year? Appreciate the people closest to you and let them know that you appreciate them too.

3. Friends

Unlike your relatives, you chose your friends. You’ve shared common values, interests, or goals. You determined who would be your most trusted confidants and those who would be your acquaintances. Those that became part of your inner circle may have come to know your secrets, hidden desires, and fears; and you came to know theirs. Some friends were with you through ups and downs, and can complete the sentence, “Do you remember the time when…” Some friendships entered your life for a reason or a season. While some friendships grew closer, others grew apart. Perhaps you’ve had friends that became your greatest cheerleaders and others became your biggest adversaries.

A reflection: Friendships can come and go, and some will last forever. Experiences have been had, memories have been made, and lessons have been learned. Who are your friends? Be grateful for all that have come into your life and let them know you’re thankful.

4. Giving

It’s been said that giving is the true meaning of Christmas. No doubt, you’ve experienced the joy of giving with a pure heart. How did it feel to watch an excited child unwrap the gift you gave them, and beam upon opening the wonderful surprise? How did you feel when your Christmas card warmed the heart of a distant loved one? How did it feel knowing that people less fortunate were helped by your charitable donation? Undeniably, you felt happy when you gave thoughtfully and unconditionally. Remember that it’s not what you give or how much that’s important. Giving your time, expertise, and service are just as valuable. Any act of kindness would bring feelings of joy to you and others.

The takeaway: ‘Tis the season to give. Be a generous giver. You’ll thank yourself for it.

5. Receiving

You’ve heard the phrase that it is better to give than receive, especially around the holidays, but is it really true? It can be suggested that both giving and receiving are equally valuable. How so? In receiving, you can be thankful for the wonderful abundance in this world. In receiving, you acknowledge your own deservedness. In receiving, you fill yourself with more and in turn, you will be able to give more back again. You can be grateful to the giver and allow him or her to experience the joy to give to you. You feel appreciation when someone is kind and generous towards you. You open yourself up for a shared connection with the giver. You further your belief in goodness and good things.

The bottom line: Be a gracious receiver. Accept what is being offered with humility and sincerely acknowledge the thoughtfulness of the giver.