Let the whirlwind begin!!!
We are about to enter the busy holiday season, as if we all aren’t busy enough! I must confess I love Christmas and everything about it. I actually heard the expression today, “We are Christmas fanatics!” and thought “Those are my people!” It is, for me, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, but that is another story…first the giving of thanks.
The holidays aren’t always the best of times for everyone and I am mindful of that sentiment. And even if, like me, you love this season, it can still be a mixed bag, right? Mostly, though, I want to slow down and enter the holidays in a mindful way and for me that is having a spirit of gratitude. But what am I thankful for?
Of course, there are so many things, but this year, I decided to start with a closer look at my own character and recognize traits that I have been given or have developed that I appreciate about my person. It is so easy to get down on ourselves and beat ourselves up, but that is not beneficial in any way. So, using the word “gratitude” itself as an acronym, I chose words to describe who I am or aspire to be. I genuinely want to value who I am created to be.
So here we go, I am…
Grateful: warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received
Resourceful: having inner resources, imaginative
Adaptable: able to adapt oneself readily to different conditions
Thoughtful: showing consideration for others
Intentional: demonstrating purpose in action
Trustworthy: dependable, reliable
Understanding: demonstrating comprehension, discernment and empathy
Devoted: committed, loyal
Empathetic: identify with the feelings and thoughts of others
What about you? There is no need to put yourself down. We often talk worse to ourselves than we ever would to another person. Use the word “gratitude” or another similar word and make a list of your qualities. Leave me a comment and let me know how different you felt about yourself at the end of the exercise.
Now, I want to give a big THANK YOU to the Creator for making me just like I am and as I enter the holidays look for ways that those traits shine through me. That is what I call beautiful living!