Spreading the Holiday Joy

Thanksgiving and Christmas are important times of the year.  It is when think about what we are thankful for and it is the season of joy.  This year has been stressful on us all and everyone can use a little holiday spirit.  So no matter what your political beliefs are, no matter what religion you practice, and no matter what style of life you choose to live, take a minute and try to be positive and spread some joy.

Reconnect

This holiday season will be unlike any other.  Some of us are still living isolated lives and it is starting to take a toll on us.  It is for this reason that the holidays are more important than ever before.  We are a country divided and we must find a way to put disputes behind us.  Additionally, many of us have not seen our friends or family nearly as much as we would have liked.  This alone can suck the joy out of us over a prolonged period.  So, the current season is the perfect time to be social again, but in a safe way.

Phone conversations and zoom meets were all the rage months ago but think to yourself when the last time you set up one of these events.  Odds are it has been longer than you realize.  These meetings can be large and encompass the entire family or you can scale it down and simply have a small individual meeting with many people.  The most important thing is you reach out to other.  Talk about old times and the future.  Do not let the distance and long time apart degrade your bonds of love.  During the holiday or even a day or week afterwards send a text, e-mail, or make a phone call to someone you have not talked to in a while.  It will likely brighten your day and make a positive impact on your close friends and relatives. 

So, what do you do if you are not a big talker?  Well there are many ways to spread some joy without having to have a long conversation.  A gesture as simple as a hello email, ecard, or traditional holiday card speaks louder then words.  There is a reason they are popular during the holiday season.  Post cards with family photos have been a holiday mainstay for years so continue the tradition.  If you have never sent one out before, start a new tradition.  It is always a joy to see how our family and friends grow and how big our children get.  These cards can be done from the safety of your home as well.  You do not need ta professional photographer.  We can concede that people who do hire them get some nice photos, but anyone can take a selfie with their family and use the internet to help them create a quality card to send.  Finally, have some fun making your card.  Make them fun and personal.  Get the whole family on board and get contributions from everyone.  Even our beloved pets.

Spreading the Joy

Spreading joy to ourselves and our families can be difficult but doing so yields some nice rewards.  However, we must remember that not everyone is as fortunate as us and every community needs leaders and activists to take the lead and help spread joy to those in need.  People have lost loved ones this past year and others have lost financial stability.  Furthermore, our traditional infrastructure for helping those in need has been taxed heavily and resources run are running low.  Every community is different and because of this every town has its unique needs.  Now is the time to take some initiative to help.  If you do not know where to start reach out to your local church or city hall.  These organizations will have some programs running that need monetary donations, a donation of goods, or volunteers to help with logistics.  Just ask how you can help.  Good bet they will have multiple options for you to choose from.  Help in the way you can and in a way that brings joy to yourself and others.

Finally, we have talked about spreading joy to your loved ones and to those in need, but we have not talked about ourselves.  Spend a few minutes self-reflecting and think about what would bring some joy into your life.  Who do you miss talking to and what do you miss doing?  Think about what matters to you because spreading joy does not mean you should not experience it yourself. 

Lastly, have a wonderful holiday season and remember there is always a light at the end of a tunnel. Sometimes it just takes a while to get to it.  Do not forget to enjoy the ride.