“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world and, behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”
~ Norman Vincent Peale
Christmas can be the happiest time of year, but sometimes we have to create that cheer for ourselves.
I’ve experienced many Christmases, but
I am reminded today of the importance this time of year holds for us
all in creating goodwill, magic and cheer.
As a child, I relished in the
excitement of Christmas. I was moved by sparkling silvery tinsel that
adorned freshly cut pine trees. I was intoxicated by aromas of holiday
roasts, spaghetti sauce and cookies baking in the oven. My heart was
inspired by popular melodies and sacred tunes that could be memorized
and joyfully sung by people of every age.
At night, I watched with anticipation
as strings of outdoor lights transformed typical houses and ordinary
streets into enchanted, colorful neighborhoods. I brimmed with
anticipation imagining Santa Clause and his elves at the North Pole,
preparing to deliver Christmas presents to boys and girls around the
world — all in a single night!
Many of us know that as years pass,
much of what we beheld as children can become tainted and jaded by the
“realities” of life: sickness, financial woes and broken relationships
to name just a few. Contemplating the sadder side of life can easily
bring us low, dimming our hearts as well as our minds.
So it’s important to acknowledge the
bright side of the holiday season, the part that keeps our spirits
alighted and our hope refreshed and renewed. Faith, the substance of
things we hope for and the evidence of things not seen, is what each of
us needs to carry on and move forward in life.
Regardless of religious persuasion, we
all need a season of joy each year. Joy helps us reaffirm life and
rekindle the happiness that keeps us standing tall in an often faltering
world.
Podcast 140: Creating Cheer
Important to us all, cheer is a state of mind and heart. It’s that which gladdens us with hope, comfort and courage.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over
the course of time, it’s to create my own sense of cheer. Rather than
waiting for the world to make me happy, I’ve discovered that I can be
the source of my own happiness — starting from within.
If you’ve found holiday cheer a bit
lacking in your own life this year — or if you have plenty of cheer to
spare and are looking to take it up to another level — I encourage you
to listen in to my latest podcast.
Be reminded of several easy ways you
can become a catalyst for cheer in your own life while extending some of
that goodwill and magic to those around you, too!
Click here for Podcast 140: Creating Cheer.
Sending you wishes for your happiest season ever — from the inside out!
Maura is an International Speaker on Leadership, Influence and Emotional Intelligence
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