As the year comes to an end and we finish the holiday season, it seems like a good idea to try to end the year on a positive note. The ironic thing about the holidays is that, even though it’s the happiest time of the year, sometimes, it’s really the toughest time of the year to find satisfaction. The things that are good are really good at this time of the year. The things that are bad seem much worse at year’s end. There’s a multiplier attached to everything that exaggerates the meaning of everything. I’ve come up with three simple steps that are guaranteed to maximize your enjoyment of the holidays.
Forget the past
It is hard to articulate anything that dampens our ability to enjoy the holidays as much as the baggage of the past. The longer we live, the bigger the problem of the past can be. If we’re not careful, the past becomes nothing but a bag of bricks that prohibits us from enjoying our lives and getting the most out of every experience because we spend all of our energy hauling the past around.
The bag is often weighted down by past disagreements, bad relationships, broken dreams, and the myriad of disappointments life hands to us day in and day out, and that we carry with us as we plod through life. The only true value the past provides to us is life lessons. They’re the only things we need to carry with us from the past. The rest is better left behind. Travel lightly through the holidays and give yourself the best chance to enjoy them.
Take the time to enjoy
Trying to cram too much into the holidays puts yourself at a disadvantage if you’re trying to get the most enjoyment out of them. Sure, we like to attend as many parties and events as we can, and spend as much time as we can with friends and loved ones. This is great in theory, but too much crammed into a short time can leave you with a constant need to rush and take away from the experience.
Slow down and savor the time with friends and family. The truth of the matter is that, as with all other things, quality over quantity is best for enjoying yourself.
Other people first
All other things aside, the best way to enjoy the holidays is to focus on the happiness of others and not spend so much time thinking about yourself. When your focus is on your own needs and the imperfections in your own life, they can seem overwhelming. When your focus is on the well being and happiness of others, the holidays can be a much more gratifying time. If it seems real simple, that’s because it is.
No matter what happens this holiday season, take the time to enjoy yourself and make the season better for others. It’s a special time of year, and you’re in control of whether you enjoy it or not. No one and nothing can make you feel anything you don’t want to feel. You are in charge of your feelings. Deciding to enjoy the holidays is the first step to ending the year the right way. That’s true for everybody, especially those of us way up in the CHEAP SEATS!
Bill James is a criminal defense attorney and co-founder of the James Law Firm, with offices in Little Rock, Conway, and Fayetteville, Ark. His favorite dessert during the Christmas season is German chocolate cake. He can be contacted at Bill@JamesFirm.com