Inspiring Qualities the Holidays Bring Us

The holidays were always an interesting time around my household growing up. Excitement filled the house as the days got closer to Christmas. My sisters and I hoped we got the presents we wanted.

My mom and grandparents always did their best to ensure my sisters and I had an enjoyable holiday.

As I grew up, I witnessed the reality of the situation.

My mother and grandparents worked extremely hard to make sure my sisters and I were happy.

Once I got into my teenage years this became more apparent. At that time my mom was struggling with addiction and my grandparents were getting older. The money seemed to dry up and our once large Christmases were no more.

This didn’t mean there wasn’t love in the household, just that we didn’t get the exact things we wanted.

This condition of lack that my family experienced made its way around our neighborhood.

Growing up in Salt Lake City, there is a strong Mormon population. We were right in the middle of it and my grandma was a devout follower.

I didn’t know if it was because they felt sorry for us or if they genuinely cared but year after year, they would make sure we had a holiday meal to eat and a few presents to open.

In addition to the church extending its hands of kindness to my family, I recall one Christmas a local radio station purchased all our gifts.

These were people we never met but went out of their way to help a family who was struggling.

While things have positively changed for my family over the last decade, I can’t forget all those people who helped to make the difficult times a little easier.

Compassion, kindness, and generosity have magical qualities that inspire the minds and hearts of both the giver and the receiver.

Looking back, I see this is an important time to pay it forward . There are others who are struggling and we can make a positive difference.

Paying It Forward

Thinking about this has made me ask myself, how can I make a bigger difference in the world?

What are the positive qualities I can capture from the holidays and apply to my day-to-day life?

Acts of kindness, being generous to others, providing a positive influence  in the lives of another person is not something that needs to be done only during the holidays, it is something we can do year round.

This thought inspired me to jot down 3 Inspiring Qualities the Holidays Bring Us.

Oh yea, these qualities will help you make the months approaching even greater.

3 Inspiring Qualities the Holidays Bring Us

1 – Compassion – For myself, this is the most inspiring quality the holidays bring. Compassion helps us appreciate people for who they are. Compassion empowers us to rise above petty arguments and to think positively about other people instead of sending toxic thoughts their way. Compassion allows us to value people for who they are. Moving with compassion we see that as it bubbles up within, it overflows in inspiring ways into the lives of others.  

2 – Kindness – Who doesn’t like people being kind to them? Kindness can be as simple as extending a helping hand, paying someone a compliment, or going out of your way to assist a person struggling. Kindness often pays us back in abundant and unique ways. Being willing to give kindness without expecting a return does something to the hearts of both the giver and the receiver. While money is always great, the feelings that kindness brings to everyone involved is something that money cannot buy.

3 – Optimistic Outlook – Being that the holidays fall at the end of the year, there is often an optimistic outlook about the year ahead. This is a great quality to capture and carry with you into the days approaching. Moving through your days with an optimistic outlook will help you recognize the opportunities and capitalize on the possibilities that surround you. If nothing else, optimism helps everything in your life shine a little brighter.

Inspiring Qualities

Allow compassion to be your compass in the weeks and months approaching. Do all you do with a compassionate spirit.

Allow kindness to act as a map that directs you towards the positive qualities within you. Be willing to commit to at least one act of kindness a day . This could be at home, at work, or in your community.

As you move throughout your experience, let an optimistic outlook  guide you. Be willing to see the best of things and know at a deep level that things will work out for your highest and best.

These 3 inspiring qualities can make each day a little better than the one before.

 

Peace

Happiness

Compassion

Respect

 

Jeffon Seely

 

Three Key Life