Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.
– Oprah Winfrey
The holidays are a time for celebration, love, peace and appreciation. It’s a time to remember what’s important and focus our energy in the most meaningful places. It’s also a time when many of us feel completely overwhelmed.
It seems that every year, our list of things to do grows longer and longer – especially around the holidays. Many of these “To Do’s” are good, like spending quality time with family and friends. But some of the items that sneak onto our lists are merely distractions that aren’t worth your time in the long run – and you can choose to let go of those.
Here are six tips to keep the focus on what’s most important during the holidays:
- Ignore the incessant “deals.” We’re supposed to be focused on appreciating all that we do have, yet we’re too busy chasing after deals for stuff that we don’t have (and arguably don’t need). Instead of allowing ourselves to get bombarded with the “best deals” of the day and the constant flood of stuff we supposedly can’t live without, we can each make decisions on how to spend our time and energy in more meaningful ways.
- Enjoy the simple pleasures. Think about the little things in life that make you happy – a cup of coffee in the morning, the smile from your child, recognition from a co-worker, a friendly “hello” from a stranger, a breath of fresh air or a beautiful sunset. Many of these things happen on a daily basis whether we notice them or not. Make a point to be more present in these moments – slow down and appreciate their intrinsic value.
- Make time for friends and family. We may joke about the requirement to spend time with family, but when you proactively set up time outside of the normal holiday gatherings to get together, especially one-on-one, it creates an environment to truly enjoy their company. You may feel like you don’t have time, but once you make the effort and spend quality time with the people you care about, it will undoubtedly have a positive impact that will ease your stress.
- Prioritize your to do list and let go of unnecessary items. Simplifying your life can help you feel less overwhelmed. Sometimes we forget how much time can be lost when we’re watching TV or working on the computer. Make a conscious choice to spend your time wisely. Let go of anything that is unworthy of your valuable time. You’ll feel lighter, happier and motivated to focus that energy on more important things.
- Volunteer your time. Nothing has a more significant impact on your level of gratitude and humility than serving in your community. Serving others instills a truly genuine, deep feeling of peace. Our campuses host a variety of service opportunities throughout the year, but the holiday season especially brings out the spirit of appreciation and giving back.
- Share what you’re thankful for. Write about it, talk about it and show it – you’ll quickly feel more appreciative of everything you have and less worried about the trivial, fleeting things that the media and advertisers throw at you during the holidays.
For example, the Denver campuses recently held their annual food bank drive, which provides relief to students who have difficulty making ends meet from one paycheck to the next*. The campuses also collected food donations from staff, faculty and local grocery stores for their annual turkey baskets. A total of 27 complete Thanksgiving dinners were given to students and their families. If you’re looking for ways to get involved, starting at a Westwood campus is a great first step.
Here’s what some of our Westwood College Experts are thankful for:
“I’m most thankful for my family, both immediate and extended. I’m also grateful to work at an educational institution that focuses on assisting and empowering students with the resources and career coaching that equip them to transition into work they find purpose and fulfillment in.”
Cassy Nicholl, director, career services
“I am thankful for remembering what we are all about and why we do what we do. We must never lose sight of what we are here for. I am thankful for each and every student that we have the opportunity to assist.”
Debra Brooks, senior director, student finance
“I’m thankful for my three kids and six siblings and the time we are fortunate to share during the holidays. I am thankful that my mom was able to spend her final days with her children and grandchildren, knowing that we will once again be together.”,
Julie Mitchell, director, IT project management
We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season. Tell us what advice you have for focusing on what’s most important.
*The food banks are available throughout the year to students who request assistance in Student Support.