Naturally this time of year everyone starts
to think about all the things they want to change about themselves or their
lives. Yes of course I want to lose weight, get in shape, and make those appointments
I’ve been putting off … but I say that every year, and despite some level of
accomplishment, it never really seems like enough. So this year I have decided
to focus more simply on me. I don’t mean that in an incredibly selfish way. In
fact, part of my goal is exactly the opposite. Let me explain …
Christmas use to be my absolute favorite time
of the year, but recently hasn’t held that same sense of wonder that I
remembered. I use to think that as I grew up, I simply wasn’t taking the time
to fully appreciate it. So I started the Christmas playlist early, checked out
the decorations at the malls, etc. but it still wasn’t happening for me. I
still think the time factor plays a big part, especially when everyone is
hustling about running here and there to make all their holiday plans. This
year in particular I had the “luck” of working not only Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day, but also the following weekend. With only one measly day off in
there, it felt like the Holidays just sort of left me behind. It always breaks
my heart to think about those less fortunate who are unable to afford all the
trappings of the holiday season, but this year, being so far removed from
family and friends, I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for myself as well.
That’s not to say that my co-workers and I didn't do all that we could to try
and make the days special, but it’s just not the same.
This Holiday season, I have also encountered
an almost overwhelming amount of cynicism and negativity, which I must say
tends to ruin the magic of the holiday. People can be judgmental, pessimistic,
and just downright negative. It doesn’t help when a lot of the things they
complain about or comment on are things I completely agree with. It makes it
far too easy to join in the pity parade and spread the negativity even further.
It got me thinking though … Why do we tend to complain so much more than we
share in all the good things? Why am I more likely to come home and complain
about work to my family, than I am to share how awesome my family is with my
co-workers? This is essentially the heart of my one goal for the year. I want
to stop complaining about life and just do what I can to fix the things that
bother me. I want to stop my own negativity and take time every day to appreciate
all the good things in my life. I also want to help encourage others to be more
optimistic and spread positivity instead of negativity. Even if this doesn’t renew
my love for all things Christmas, it is at least a worthy goal and hopefully at
the end of the year, I will be a much better person.
Sincerely, ME
