Gratitude During the holiday season

It's officially Holiday season! Capitalist America won't let us forget it. You cannot walk into a store or vicinity of any kind without hearing the festive music or seeing Christmas decorations. The temperatures drop, and everyone gets frantic with all the upcoming purchases they have to make. Something about getting closer and closer to the holidays used to make me super anxious. I used to LOVE the holidays when I was younger – being around all my family, all the gifts – it's a child's dream! But with age and wisdom comes understanding, and I began to realize things were not what they seemed when I was a child. My family wasn't the same. The gift-giving wasn't the same. The snow stopped falling so it didn't actually feel like Christmas (sounds crazy, but it really sets the ambiance). Overall, I knew that things had changed for me and I no longer liked the holidays. Did not care for it one bit. I'd dread going home because it became a mental debate on who I should spend my holidays with. There was nothing joyous about the "most wonderful time of the year".

The irony of Grateful by Pastor Hezekiah Walker playing as I write this ... Within the last few months, God has given me the opportunity to see life so differently. So much has happened that's altered my view on things that I'd been harboring. I've lost people and it's made me feel things I didn't know I could feel; it's made me be more appreciative of my own life and the people currently in it. So much so that having a "real family" has become so minuscule on my list of things to complain about. How about being grateful for the fact that I do have a family that no matter how dysfunctional, they're loving & supportive & present. For another day to live and to love, to be great, and to crush my dreams. 

As we draw close to the end of the year, this is the time we reflect. On the good and the bad. On the successes and lessons learned. And to plan – how is the upcoming year going to be a better one? What tools are we going to use in the future to continue to be great? And most importantly, what are you grateful for? Feel free to share in the comments – let's get a dialogue going! I'll start: In 2019, I will launch one of my business ventures, I'll take myself and my craft more seriously in order to enhance my business outside of work, I will allow myself to give and receive love when necessary, and I will devote more time to giving back (i.e. volunteering).

I can't wait to hear from you, and though it's early in the season, I want to wish you and your families a Happy Holiday(s)!

xo, TSJ.