Who does not love the holiday season? For college students, the semester is ending. It is starting to get colder, houses are all lit up with holiday cheer, the streets are covered in lights and wreaths hanging from tall buildings, Starbucks comes out with their holiday drink menu (it's just a little plus to the holiday season for a coffee addict like myself..), ABC's 25 days of Christmas is better than netflix, and don't even get me started on christmas music! Did i forget presents?! Everyone loves presents, making christmas lists, and holiday shopping!
Over the years and as I got older, I started to realize what the greatest gift of all was. It's crazy because I didn't even have to ask for it, it wasn't wrapped and put under the tree, I just got super lucky and blessed.
Christmas time is a time where it's really easy to find ourselves being ungrateful and greedy. A lot of people focus on what they want, materialistic items, rather than what they have. To me, family and friends were there for me when I needed some guidance, not the abundance of clothes or makeup I get each year. As I got older, I realized who was important to me, who I can thank for giving me the life I have been living, and who is the greatest christmas gift of all.
There is no better gift than the gift of love. I know it sounds crazy but it's true! The gift of family can make any day better, and I don't even want to imagine where I would be without mine. My family has seen me at my worst and helped me achieve my best. I would not be who I am without their support and love.
My friends are also a great blessing. The amount of memories and times we've shared together are countless and I got so lucky with who I get to spend my time with. They are always there when I need them, and to guide me to be my best self.
I have received plenty of gifts in my life, and I am very thankful for everything that anyone has ever bought for me, especially during the holiday time. However, I am even more grateful for the people that make me feel loved and have shaped me thus far. You are the real gift.
I hope everybody can sit back, relax, and appreciate this holiday season. If you take a step back and look around, you will notice that the things you have taken for granted sometimes are what really makes you happy.