As much as I love Santa, Frosty The Snowman, Rudolph, The Elves, A Miracle On 34th Street etc, Christmas is really about the Advent; the arrival of the Notable One….
And I think that if I were going to center my thinking about Christmas on one thing, it would be that Jesus, born in a manger is about bringing about some sort of healthy change to the stories, the narrative of people’s lives.
And with that, leading up to Christmas week, our upcoming posts will be about in our own simple ways, bringing some healthy change, warmth, kindness, hope because Lord knows, we all can use some.
So you may be one who has a hard time with the season because……. You don’t like it and you never did, maybe some bad things happened around this time in the past (conjures up some not so nice thinking).
Maybe like me, you are dealing with the loss of loved ones, feeling sad, lonely with no one to share the season with…. And the list could go on.
I find that it does help to think of doing something nice for someone else. My mom would agree with that because that’s what she did so why not me?
I’m suggesting some simple yet effective things to change the picture we see and to not just get us into the Christmas spirit alone but our perspective shifts for good.
Try 1 or 2 or even more; I’m sure they will help you and those you show kindness too!
Give Someone A Hug Or Compliment
I love sarcasm and I love to bother by friends, family and colleagues to the max because I love them and care for them but sometimes….
We need to be able to give a compliment and bless someone because in everyone’s life, we need words of life that freshen the soul and spirit.
So I also practice in my weekly ritual to give a compliment with no “but” in the next frame.
It is amazing what a warm hug or compliment can do to brighten up someone’s day and it’s not hard to do. So, let’s get to it and spread some good for someone today.
Let Someone In Line In Front Of Us
For some reason, this almost seems hard to do. Have you ever been at the Costco checkout line and the person behind has 2 items and part of us says, “Well, Let them go ahead” but other part is warring saying why? We were here first.
It’s crazy how we try to negotiate in our minds that the extra 3 minutes that we would lose if we gave up our spot would make when in reality, nope not a big deal but did you ever notice when this moment happens, the one who is graced almost every time is so appreciative of the kindness.
So... try sometime…soon….
Buy A Friend Or Colleague Coffee
I love doing this and love receiving as well. The issue is not the cost except if you go to Starbuck’s and it takes 6 minutes to order a 7 step cup of Java and they charge for all of those steps (Just kidding).
The fact of thinking of or being thought of enough to give or receive a little treat is special.
I know one day, I received a hot chocolate (if you ever wonder what I like) and I became very emotional. I had been having a rough period of time dealing with mom’s passing and my colleague just felt I needed a cup.
The gesture behind the cup made all the difference so it could be juice, tea etc. but you never know what a small little kindness could do for someone this week!
Hold The Door Open For Someone
Have you ever opened the door for someone because that’s just what we do only to have the person not only say thank you but to remark how it doesn’t happen often and they are appreciative of the action?
I’m amazed sometimes when someone’s hands are full and it is obvious that opening the door will be of great service and help to and for them but people would rather just see the person struggle or so it would appear?
Struggling or not, maybe this is the week to open the door for someone. Let’s see how that works out… whether we get a thank you or not, “We” are extending kindness without the promise of recognition…
Whether we get a thank you or not, “We” are extending kindness without the promise of recognition…
Give A Friend Or Loved One Our Full Attention
I used to think that I could do 2 or 3 things at a time with one including listening to someone talking to/with me and be “All In” only to realize that I was not completely present.
I remember a number of years ago being called out on that and later feeling so bad that it appeared that I didn’t think the conversation was worth my full attention.
So I made a couple of self made rules to help me.
1. No conversations of any importance in a restaurant/sports restaurant because of the TV’s having sports on. And if it had to be there, my back would face said TV’s.
2. Phone...... down. Only an emergency warrants more than a glance….. Enough said.
3. Be present and engage in the conversation.
4. Remember something from that conversation so in the future, I could check in to see how whatever that “something’ was going etc.
It’s crazy that at times, it takes an event, a situation or in this case, The Advent, the coming Of The Notable One, Jesus to get us into the Spirit of the season.
I dare say that maybe the daily advent kindness thoughts above and the other ones to come should be our daily habit.
I know, I have to sometimes talk to myself to remind me to be an everyday, all year round type who doesn’t need a holiday to be reminded to spread good will, joy, kindness, hope to the people I come in contact with; we just never know who is going to need the good that we have inside so they can experience a lifting of their hearts, spirits and minds!
We just never know who is going to need the good that we have inside so they can experience a lifting of their hearts, spirits and minds!
In our own way, we can be notable in how we bring something fresh, something needed, something warm, something kind, something of value and worth because we are a world in desperate need of the Characteristics and Person of the Advent!!!
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