Christmas time is meant to be a time of cheer and reflection, but too often we get caught up in the craziness of the holidays that we forget this. This Christmas take some time and try to remember how wonderful Christmas was for you as a kid.
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From The Wilson County News
Written By: Elaine Kolodziej
Link to original article
We’ve all heard that “laughter is the best medicine,” but, as adults, we often tend to focus on the negative more than the positive and forget the value of laughter.
If you don’t think that’s true, just look at the little kids. Watch them on the playground: They laugh, they play with abandon, act silly, and seem to have all the answers or, if not, they are not concerned. They have fun.
Children laugh about 400 times a day, while adults may laugh about 17 times. That’s quite a difference. Small wonder that adults often tend to say, “Bah! Humbug!” when it comes to Christmas.
Sometimes it seems that we grownups spend so much time putting out fires, there’s no energy remaining to enjoy what’s left. We forget to find the humor in situations.
Now is a good time to look at how we handle relationships, because, especially during the Christmas season, we can find ourselves in stressful situations. We stress because we make elaborate shopping lists and assign chores, projects, and impossible tasks to ourselves and others. We create unrealistic expectations within ourselves and our family, and we don’t leave enough time to enjoy what we have worked so hard to achieve. We forget what it’s all about.
We want to buy that perfect gift, make the house all nice and perfect, find that perfect outfit to wear to that perfect party. In the end, we are too exhausted and stressed to enjoy the time that we should be able to have together as a family. We forget that, despite what children may think, what they really need most from the adults around them is their time — quality time — not time filled with the tension from stressing out over every little thing. Above all, we need peace, and the peace of Christmas provides us with that perfect (there’s that word again) opportunity.
A poll conducted by Next Chapter Press finds that 84 percent of those surveyed said that their favorite gift was not something from their “wish list,” but instead was a special experience that brought them closer together with family and friends. Remember, it really is the thought that counts in the long run.
Christmas should be a happy time. While it’s not always possible to let loose with a good “belly laugh,” there’s also something to be said about a positive state of mind and a positive attitude. That’s where sharing and caring can bring about an inner joy.
Money is not everything when it comes to happiness, nor is getting the perfect gift.
Looking for the lighter side of every incident and finding humor instead of grief can go a long way toward finding that peace and joy. Learn to relax and appreciate the time with family. A change in mood can help improve attitudes and reinforce relationships.
Indeed, Next Chapter Press suggests that a traditional Christmas experience can be just reading aloud as a family to create a bond. From their news release: “Giving the gift of reading aloud as a family will not only deepen the bond during the holidays, but studies show it will also improve your child’s reading ability.”
We all know that a book is a gift that keeps on giving. One way you can get started is with the interactive Web site called http://ReadAloud.org. Together, you can start a new tradition with your family. You might even discover the inner child in yourself!
Would that we should all but act more like children this Christmas: Our eyes would sparkle, our faces would glow, and our minds would race with excitement in anticipation of the good things to come.
Even if only for the season or for the day, let us be children at heart. It will be good for you, and it will make the world a better place.
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