Whether you celebrate the holidays or you don’t, you can’t deny that this is the best time of the year. Snow blankets most of the nation. Childrens’ laughter is a lot more genuine (thanks to their two weeks off school) and everyone just seems to be in a better mood. There is something almost magical about this time of year and how it changes the way we all see the world. We give more. We are nicer. And we are in a much more celebratory mood. In this blog post, I’m going to list my top five reasons that this is the best time of the year.
Getting time off has the advantage of mentally preparing you for the new year. Take this time to reflect on the previous year and what you can improve upon in the new year. But don’t take advantage of the fact that this time off is for you to spend the holidays with family and friends. This is the time to have fun, let your hair down, and relax. Do you notice that when you come back from a significant break you feel energized and ready for action? That is all thanks to the fifth reason this is the best time of the year.
Everything from hot chocolate to cookies to chocolates to candy canes, this time of the year is a sometimes literal buffet of sweets. We already know that the new year will be our attempt to cleanse our bodies and start exercising, but it is almost a rule to enjoy all the goodies this holiday season brings, making this the fourth reason this is the best time of year.
How ready are you for the holiday season? There was never anything more exciting than being a child on Christmas morning. I’d run downstairs, eyes lit up and wide to stare at the mountain of gifts under the tree (of which only a third were for me). But it was just the sight of it that reminded me it was Christmas. Now, I contribute to that pile and thoroughly enjoy watching those I love the most rip into their gifts with a childish glee only reserved for the morning of December 25th; this is why I have chosen the gifts as reason number 3.
Atmosphere can sometimes become the most important part of any holiday. Halloween is dark and spooky with pumpkins on the front steps of neighbor’s houses and every scary movie Hollywood could make being released to theaters, barraging your TV watching with promos for those movies at every commercial break. And then we have this holiday season, a mashup of two well-known holidays– Christmas and New Year’s. It is no wonder the atmosphere changes drastically once December rolls around. Snow falls and multicolored lights go up and Christmas music plays on every radio station. The feeling is mystical, almost surreal, described perfectly by these lyrics from Silver Bells.
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you hear . . .
Even now, I’m sure you’re finishing this song with a smile on your face, and this is why the atmosphere is reason number 2.
There is nothing more beautiful than watching the world open up their hearts to those in need. And it is this season, more than any other, that brings people together in order to help others. So this holiday season, be generous and give to those less fortunate than you and enjoy this link to a story about a woman whose Christmas had been saved by Santas Anonymous. I’m sure it’s no surprise to any of you why I chose the spirit of giving as the number 1 reason to love this time of year.
What are your top five? Let us know in the comments below. From all of us to all of you, have a safe, warm, and above all happy holiday season! See you in 2017! This blog will be taking a break, but we will be returning on January 3rd to discuss how to prepare your practice for the new year.
