“This Christmas, 
let kindness be 
your guiding light.” 
Joyce Meyer

It’s a choice. Despite the hectic pace and high-energy atmosphere of the world around us in the days leading up to Christmas, we do have the option to intentionally choose serenity over chaos. It may not be easy, but it is most definitely an option for us.

Christmas Day is just ten days away. Some might find themselves overwhelmed by the many tasks they’ve set for themselves during this time — finding the perfect Christmas gift for everyone on their list, planning a memorable Christmas gathering for family, friends, or both, cleaning the house to get things in order in preparation for holiday visitors,… and, perhaps, finalizing travel plans for oneself or the family. Without a doubt, these things can contribute significantly to a level of stress I would not wish on anyone.

Are some of these responsibilities inevitable? Probably, yes. Is there a way to embrace a sense of peace and solitude at this time of year in spite of the pressures we feel weighing us down? Absolutely!

If you happen to be a regular reader of this blog, you might not be surprised to know that my recommendation is based on gratitude. While you may have a to-do list longer than a receipt from CVS, you have the option to see those chores and commitments through the lens of gratitude. You can embrace an attitude of gratitude throughout the holiday season. Most would agree, I believe, that Christmas should be a time of happiness. With all the stress associated with the holiday, how might one achieve this?

Motivational speaker, Dennis Waitley, pointed out, “Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” What a great recipe for finding peace and solitude amidst the chaos of the holidays! 

If everything on your to-do list doesn’t get finished, let it go. There will be time in the future to complete some of these tasks, even if the timing might not be perfect. If the meal you offered to prepare doesn’t come together as planned, roll with it. It might be helpful to know that, for the past 50 years, the traditional Christmas dinner in Japan has been Kentucky Fried Chicken. Yes, KFC! This unusual tradition began in 1974 with an extraordinarily successful marketing campaign called Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii, which translates to “Kentucky for Christmas.” So you do have options if the oven malfunctions or the neighbor’s dogs get into your kitchen and devour the holiday turkey. 

Life doesn’t always play out as we had planned, and that’s okay. We can still perform small acts of kindness for those around us. We can set aside a little time each day to think about the people and things in our life for which we are grateful. And we can express our gratitude to those responsible for it. In doing so, we will experience a significantly greater level of happiness and inner peace. 

Gratitude makes a difference!