YOUR LIFE A-Z: ZESTFUL

ZESTFUL

ZESTFUL means having a spirited love of life.  Isn’t it awesome that our advent list ends with this powerful word for this CHRISTMAS day? (If you are wondering how we went through 26 letters in 25 days, it is because Advent began on November 30, which made a perfect ending to this A-Z for the holiday.) Today, have a ZESTFUL day.  From the early morning hours of opening presents to the late Christmas dinners celebrate each other.  Be spirited about connecting with those around you and add ZEST to each encounter, making someone else’s Christmas experience brighter.  If you are alone today, this is your opportunity to practice ZESTFULNESS to others.  Get over yourself and get out.  Take water to the homeless or go to a movie and be ZESTFUL with gratitude that you can get out and enjoy your Christmas day.  If you are homebound then call someone and wish him/her a Merry Christmas.  Today is not a day to sit around and feel sorry for your situation.  Today is a day to bring ZEST and to be ZESTFUL.   Use today to make a positive difference in the life of each person you come in contact with.  Practice having a spirited love of life and let your ZESTFULNESS become contagious.  You do make a difference in the lives of all of those around you and you get to choose whether that difference is positive or negative.  Seems like practicing ZESTFUL interactions will make your Christmas day more meaningful.  So with that I wish you a ZESTFUL day of spirited living.  Merry Christmas.

YOUR LIFE A-Z:UNKNOWN

BLENDING IS BEAUTIFUL

UNKNOWN

I am sure that there are some UNKNOWN holiday traditions that you practice, meaning that you do not know how the tradition got started.  For instance, do you know why you have all of the foods you have at your holiday table?  Why do you think cranberry sauce is a tradition at holiday meals?  Do you know why you have ham instead of turkey, or prime rib instead of lasagna? How in the world did a fruitcake end up as a holiday gift?  Speaking of holiday gifts, have you played secret Santa or Christmas angel this year?   Take a moment and think about the people in your life and the gifts you have purchased. Ask yourself, is there anyone in your life’s circle that could really use an UNKNOWN gifter this year? Is there someone who would really benefit from an UNKNOWN Santa by having a medical bill paid or find grocery gift card appearing under his/her tree?  If there is not one that you know who can benefit from an UNKNOWN gift this year then you are surrounded by a multitude of blessed people.  If this is the case, make yourself go to the mall one more time and explore all of those tags still left on a Christmas angel tree.  Choose a tag or two and begin shopping for that child that desperately needs you to make his/her Christmas magical.  It is a gift to be an UNKNOWN gifter.  Give today.  Christmas has built in opportunities for you to create UNKNOWN gifts.

YOUR LIFE A-Z:OFFER

YOU ARE ENOUGH

OFFER

 To OFFER something implies that you are engaged in the situation and are reaching out to add something to the situation.  To OFFER a guest a chair, something to drink, or an invitation to be comfortable is not only the right thing to do but also the appropriate sign of a good host.  To let guests fend for themselves is rude.  To OFFER something requires very little energy and gives so much in the way of kindness.  Today, challenge yourself to notice the nuances around you and reach out to others with a simple, OFFER.  To OFFER something to someone else can require that you get out of your self-centered focus and focus on the environment.  Ask yourself, who is here and what might they need.  Pay attention to others and do what you can to make their life better today by OFFERING a smile or a kind word.  Identifying with someone’s discomfort or pain and verbally noticing it by saying, “Looks like you are sad,” is an OFFER of kindness.  To OFFER your seat to someone standing is a gesture of kindness and one day you may need the same.  How would you feel if you showed up as a guest at someone’s house and no one OFFERED you a seat, a drink, or a pleasant, “Please make yourself comfortable?”  That lack of OFFERING would make you think twice about returning and it should.  Why would you choose to be around those who do not OFFER anything back in return?  OFFER from your heart and if you are not OFFERING, perhaps your heart has grown cold. 

YOUR LIFE A-Z: GIVE

THERE IS ALWAYS ENOUGH

GIVE…GIVING…GAVE

The word GIVE implies to GIVE something to someone without expecting anything in return.  However, complex emotions often attach themselves to the word GIVE.  Often jealousy and competition compete for space in our heads when analyzing who received what, who reciprocated, or how much to spend or what was spent on certain gifts that were GIVEN.   Kindness and compassion are kindred spirits that come along side the word GIVE and allow to experience joy when we release the heart and GIVE.  Take an inventory about your values around GIVE.  Who do you GIVE to and under what circumstances do you choose to GIVE?  How do you decide which charity to GIVE to and do you only GIVE to receive a tax deduction?  To GIVE and have no strings attached is a great personal value.   When we GIVE we naturally receive a sense of personal joy that makes our insides light up and enjoy a sense of meaning in our life.  What if you GAVE bottled water to every homeless person you passed this summer, how many thirsty lives have been made a little better as a result of your GIVING. To GIVE requires that you put yourself in someone else’s shoes for a moment and imagine what it is that you can GIVE that will bring true enjoyment to his/her life.  GIVE today.  GIVE blood.  GIVE food.  Go shopping for very special birthday gifts and Christmas presents, so you can GIVE mindfully.  Do not procrastinate FINSH your GIVING today.