We just returned from a beach getaway which was complete with a room overlooking the ocean. It was wonderful to wake each day to see the beautiful expanse of water before us, and sleep to the sound of the waves each night.
Usually, we’ll take a less idyllic room location in favor of using those upgraded funds for recreational purposes outside the hotel. Though we did get out and have our fun in the sun, it made a big difference to treat ourselves to the experience of the view we had from the balcony too.
Having a different viewpoint can affect many other areas of our life as well, even the way we view the holidays can greatly change our experience of them.
For myself, for years I viewed the holidays with great sadness because my mother had died the middle of December many years ago.
Each time the season rolled around, it brought up all that was absent from my life, and how much I missed her.
However, now I view the holidays as a time for celebrating all the blessings in my life, and expressing gratitude for having a wonderful mother like I did.
Not that holiday time is the only time for experiencing these wonderful feelings but it is fun to join in with others who are acknowledging their gratitude too, and expressing it through their own holiday traditions.
A friend was telling me the other day that she and her family will collect ornaments when on vacation or other special places throughout the year, and make their Christmas tree a memory tree.
So, each year when they decorate the tree, they happily reminisce about those times they shared together.
What traditions or activities do you engage in to make this time so special?
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Enjoy!
The Cathie Barash Blog 