December to Remember | Week 3 ::JOY::

 

 

December days are really flying by and it's already the end of the third week. In just a few days it's Christmas! Let us not forget the true meaning of the season and just as important, the "feels" that accompany our gift given tradition and festive celebration ...

"delight, happiness, glee, elation, bliss, euphoria...etc. "

When you Google the word "JOY" these are some of the many synonyms you will find. Out of all the definitions I've gone through I think I like dictionary.com's the most -

Joy - noun:  a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated; the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.

          verb: a state of happiness or felicity; be glad; rejoice.

It is definitely a state of happiness --- birthdays, weddings, graduation, the birth of a child, passing the board exam, finding out you are cancer free, a baby's first step and first word, the feeling you get when passing the driving exam at DMV. These are life's milestones, events that cause delight, is something very much valued - pure joy. It is an indescribable feeling of happiness that cannot be put into words but leaves you smiling literally to the point laughter! It is truly that warm, fuzzy feeling inside that touches you and you just want to shout it out to the world. This, too, is the feeling of Christmas. Not when we receive but when we give. Just try to imagine the person receiving the gifts we give, their reaction, how they are feeling right then and there. These are the best moments you want to witness and appreciate because their feelings of joy in accepting your gift becomes yours in return. Joy is contagious, it is both cause and effect and is top three in the hierarchy of positive emotions. You know what follows after JOY? Gratitude and then Love. Now don't you want yourself some Joy right about now?

May your days be filled with JOY and more Joy this holiday season!

December to Remember | Week 1 ::GOOD THOUGHTS and CHEER::

Now that most of the craziness of Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping has passed, the first week of December marks the time to reflect on the special individuals we are gifting (or about to) and sharing happiness with! Have a list of people and take a good look at their names and really feel the love for these individuals, how blessed we are to have them, how they impact and influenced us and most importantly how they never failed to be there for us. There are just some gifts that cannot express how we feel for these special people and when expenses are hitting the ceiling, I think one of the best ways to share good thoughts and cheer is putting them in words - blank holiday cards. It provides you space and the convenience to truly pour out your feelings for someone, how much you appreciate them and wishing them well this holiday season.

You can put it in poem form or write down a practical joke to put a smile on their face. Keeping it concise but sweet... and true to form --- it's the thought that counts. I like to accent cards like this with candy (candy cane or your choice of chocolate).

TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT THIS YEAR --- 

Why not reach out to those who make our lives livable? People you encounter daily or on a schedule who you've developed great relationships with that need some love for their countess hours of service like : 

• company janitor/custodian
• postman
• security guards/volunteers
• your mechanic
• your beauty specialists (manicurist, esthetician, hair dresser)
• neighbors