Words To Live By: ENJOY !

(This is one of a part of a series of WORDS TO LIVE BY. This series grew out of a workbook I first made for my young daughters and discussed at the dinner table. These Words include values, good ideas, and Words to aspire to….and learn from….enjoy!)

As the holiday season approaches, I think we all need to be reminded of a few things.....

Enjoy the holiday. So many of us get caught up in the shopping, preparation, decorating, work and clean up, that we forget what the holiday is about, what friends and family get together for.....
en·joy
[ in jóy ]

find something pleasing: to take pleasure in something
have use of something: to have the full and satisfying use or benefit of something
benefit from circumstances: to benefit from a desirable condition or situation

How many of you - or maybe it's your spouse, your mother, grandmother, etc. spend so much time in the kitchen, or doing something else that takes so much work - and sometimes you don't enjoy it. Is that what this is all about?

Take time to Enjoy the holiday, your friends, your family, the season!

Live in the moment. The best gift is the present. Think about all the great memories that you have. Those were created when you were "in the moment." If you were worried about the future or concerned about the past, you would have missed that great memory. So as this holiday comes, live in the moment, listen to others, ask, take action, enjoy the moments that come your way. You may be creating the best memories yet!

Forgive - so many families and friends have some kind of ill feeling or hold grudges. Some actually forget why but still they hold the grudge. Forgive! We all need to remember that Forgiveness is more for ourselves than the other person. You will benefit if you forgive another. Forgive yourself!

Reach out/Step out/Give/Share/Donate - I challenge you and myself to doing just a little more this year that last year. Give time to a church or organization-volunteer. Give money or donations. Can you contribute some food? Clothing? Or maybe reach out to a family member or friend. Do you know someone that could use encouragement? A listening ear? Some help? Maybe a simple letter, email , or phone call? What would you like to receive from someone - then go and give. Give without expecting you'll receive it back. Take time to do something a little more that you usually do.