I love this time of year! Christmas carols, hot chocolate, baking holiday goodies--it is all very therapeutic for me. Back when I initially got sick I looked forward to the holidays more than anything. It was not only a chance to enjoy myself and the company of my closest friends and family, but also a moment to attempt to escape the reality of what was going on with my health. To this day the Christmas season is a refuge for me. I am thrilled when the month of December arrives because I get to decorate my house, hang ornaments on the tree with my husband, and spend the next few weeks embracing the fun that comes along with all the joys of the season.
I also know that with all of these tasks my fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms are sure to get worse. This is the time of year that I am grateful for the people in my life who support me, understand me, and hear me out when I am struggling. The season of Christmas opens my eyes to all of my blessings and reminds me that a few friends who cherish and appreciate you, is better than an abundance of acquaintances that simply see you as an object of convenience.
I have faced many obstacles recently when it has come to friendship. I made the mistake of disclosing things in confidence to people that I couldn't really trust, and now I have had to learn that lesson the hard way. You see, there are people in this world who will hurt you. They will take whatever ammunition you give them and use it against you. However, this does not mean that we should shut ourselves off to the world around us. For each person with malicious intentions, there is another person with a heart of gold and a listening ear waiting to meet someone just like you.
We all need friends, and we all need support. This time of year is the perfect time to build on that. We may not know everyone's story, but we can relate to their humanity and to their heart.
There is an opportunity this time of year for each of us. A chance to reach out to those around us, and to offer them compassion and understanding. I encourage you to think about how important kindness is this holiday and each day of every season. We all fight our own battles and face our own struggles, but just because we may not fight the same demons doesn't mean we can't relate to each other on a human level. Kindness and generosity don't have to be extravagant, in fact, many times, a small act of kindness can go just as far as an elaborate one. Something as simple as:
-giving a stranger a compliment and a smile
-giving a small thoughtful gift for a friend or co-worker
-wishing someone in line at a store with you Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas
-giving people a hug
-listening to someone's story
All of these things can make a beautiful difference in someone's life, as well as in the world around us--and can contribute to letting everyone who you meet know that they are not alone. That as a fellow human being you share in their emotions, their life, and their world. That no matter who they are or what struggles they face, we are all connected; we are all one.
Today, I challenge all of you--pay it forward.
Go the extra mile for someone, especially someone you know who might be carrying too heavy of a load on their own. Be kind, be generous, and be willing to go out of your way for those around you. These people can be friends, family, or strangers. This holiday season, don't stand by and focus solely on the things in your life, look at the lives of the people around you. Go share moments of kindness, and a plethora of blessings, with others who may need them. You never know what a difference you might make.
Love & Light,
Lexi F.
