“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
– Winston Churchill
It’s that time of year again where the holiday season seems to have snuck up on us. For some of us it may mean traveling to visit family or fun destinations, and for others it’s a time to take a break from work and obligations. However you’re spending your holiday weekend and week, a quote stuck out to me that helped frame the goal for the holiday season. It’s the quote listed above that says, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” So much of the year is spent on figuring out our jobs, careers, families, and what we can do or how we can spend the time and money we have. The holidays around Thanksgiving and Christmas allow us to reflect on how we are able to give and appreciate what is happening in our lives.
It can be so easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing. What their family structure looks like, what job they have, the places they travel, their fitness or physique. All of these can make us feel inadequate or frustrated. If we can shift our focus on what ways we have made a difference or impacted others, it can help us to experience gratitude and the joy that giving brings. Is there a better feeling than gifting someone an unexpected surprise? Seeing the reaction of someone opening a present, a card, or paying it ahead at the coffee shop is when we can really see the best in others.
That feeling we experience when we authentically give helps us to experience gratitude and optimism. It’s the time of year where we tend to have a list of items that we would love for Santa or loved ones to provide for us. I encourage all of us to give this holiday season. Give your time, your attention, your energy, maybe even some of your financial resources to others and know that is how you make a life.
Let’s all celebrate this upcoming week and find ways to give to others!
