One thing people will notice more than any décor on your walls is the heart that you welcome them into your home with for the holidays. So, this may be the perfect time to take a self-inventory and stamp your heart with an eternal spirit that will last 365 days a year. Here are five things that I believe we can all do to make the holidays more meaningful and memorable.

 

Forgive. Nobody ever saw a baby come into this world with a suitcase in tow; on the flip side, most of us tend to leave this world with a little more baggage than intended. No matter who you are and who I am, we have one thing in common; and that’s baggage. So, how exactly did this happen and what do we do about it? It typically starts with something small and then accumulates into something bigger over time. And that’s when your load becomes 51.5 pounds of baggage that you’re charged an extra $150 bucks for, and it’s now the sweet woman at the check-in desk’s fault at Delta. What?? When did this become her fault; it’s your baggage… You see my point? So, how do we resolve this? We must get to a point in our lives to ask ourselves is any of this making me a better person, more productive individual or a better contribution to the world around me. If not, then you must let it go. It may be in the form of finding forgiveness, selling/giving away physical items in your home {I’ve found purging things to be extremely freeing} or simplifying your lifestyle so that you can lead a more meaningful life. Whatever it is, do it. Because you never know when that “one day” may be too late. And the only person you’re hurting in the meantime is, say it with me, yourself.

 

Be Overwhelmingly Grateful. I once read that the greatest thing you can do in this world is to be grateful. When you are grateful there truly is no want in this life. You approach everything with a full, thankful and overly generous heart. Let that be the goal this season. Don’t be upset that your child wakes you up every morning at 5:15AM. Be grateful that you have a child that has lungs strong enough to communicate their needs to you. Don’t complain about your mom’s overwhelming need to help you more than anticipated at the holidays. Be grateful you have a mom, here on this earth, today. My personal disclaimer: I’m not only calling out the hearts of those that are reading this; but also 100% my own. We are all guilty of these because we are all human. But at the end of the day, I do believe 80% of achieving this goal is taking the blinders off and self-aware of our own actions.

 

Set Goals. This is one of my favorites. How are we expected to know where we’re headed unless we have direction? And our guide to attaining direction is setting goals. One of our family friends does this in their family and I love it. Sit down your family at the end of the year {now} and discuss one goal that you would like to achieve individually and as a family. It may be serving somewhere in your community, starting your own “lemonade stand” business or taking your first family vacation into the mountains where technology is restricted. Whatever it is, own it. Make it yours, write it down and make it a reality in 2015.

 

Celebrate. Let’s not lie. This past year may have been tough. I mean, really tough. Well, you’re in luck because I’m a firm believer that when you hit a valley there’s a mountain top on the horizon. And in the midst of your difficulty this is where we apply rule #2, we begin to seek utter gratefulness. Celebrate the goodness in your life. This may be God taking you out of your current position to put you in a place to impact a whole new group of folks you will one day call friends. It may be the loss of a parent or a close loved one that allows you to look at life through a new set of lenses. And this new perspective, it now responds to life in a way that maximizes every moment. Now new life leads you to intentionally appreciate every simple moment you get to spend with your family and give a better version of the new you to those around you. It also makes you realize that you truly do have a lot to celebrate in life. And it is my belief that when you realize this, you really begin to live.

 

Say I love you. This last one needs no explanation. Just do it, every day.

 

Now, I know what you’re thinking… There are no pictures in this post! This is true. Well, to me, this picture I’ve painted above can restore the most beautiful thing of all, a healthy family. Start now and see what the Lord will pour into you and those that you love in this beautiful season of giving. It may be just what those who live within your four walls need today. Merry Christmas, friends!

 

Welcome HOME,

 

Melissa