FRENZY VS HAPPINESS starts to show up in my office approximately two weeks before Thanksgiving and extends into the New Year…..
I’m suggesting it’s POSSIBLE to eliminate FRENZY. Trade it in for HAPPINESS…so some thoughts!
SLOW DOWN! In fact, take a lot of deep breaths several times a day and check yourself for slowing down. I’m noticing people whizzing past me in their cars–dodging in and out of traffic….it will truly make you crazy if you are “in that mode.” There is really no place you need to be 5 minutes ahead of time unless you are on your way to the emergency room! So be MINDFUL as often as you can each day.
STEP AWAY FROM YOUR CREDIT CARDS! Consider putting them away. Really? Yes! Get them back out only after you’ve done a realistic assessment of what you can afford and want to purchase. As you feel your resistance to this idea, imagine instead how happy you will be when the January bills roll in.
ASSESS WHO IN YOUR LIFE REALLY, TRULY NEEDS MORE STUFF! And think about wonderful ways to celebrate family members and friends with things other than stuff — a lovely dinner out together; a small party to celebrate the relationships you value; notes of appreciation to friends and loved ones rather than traditional cards. Say thank you for something you recall the individual doing for you this past year…something that had great meaning for you
CONSIDER CONTRIBUTIONS TO CAUSES/ORGANIZATIONS YOU VALUE. There are so many people in need, perhaps writing a check to a favorite charity or organization you support IN THE NAME OF A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND….. It’s a truly valuable gift that impacts many people. Just let the individual know you’ve given a gift in her/his name as a present.
WISH PEOPLE YOU MEET A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY. Being verbal, generous with hello and happy ______ fill in the blank…. to all those you encounter — the coffee shop, the check out line in the grocery store, in the hallways at your office, in the parking lot — it makes you feel good — and it certainly makes the individual on the receiving end of the good wishes feel good.
PLAY AS MUCH MUSIC AS YOU CAN. That one may need no explanation!
HAPPINESS is about relationships, positive emotion, engagement, connection. AND it’s about slowing down and taking the time to DO the things I’m suggesting. It’s a lovely GRATITUDE filled time of the year when we shift our attention in that direction.
Most people will quickly forget a gift they receive…they are far less likely to forget a loving gesture, a thoughtful expression of gratitude, your time and attention spent WITH them, letting them know they are important to you throughout the year.
THE HAPPINESS you will feel will make the FRENZY simply not worth it. Feel good. Enjoy…and LOSE THE STUFF…..