Holiday columns are always difficult. The easy thing to write is “Happy holidays, no matter which holiday you celebrate.” This time of year is, inevitably, a time to think about where we are, what the last few years have been like, and where we go from here. But that’s a tall agenda, and when you add the personal stress and possibly the loss of a loved one in that mix, it’s overwhelming.
The holiday season is usually a time for reflection. I can safely say that all of us felt like we were in some sort of time warp the last few years. And on a personal level, I believe that we all have somehow changed from our mutual experience. Our lives and routines were interrupted. We were all forced to question the new post-lockdown world — from the way we work to the public and community services we count on. And during that same time period, we had to grapple with the changes that our family and friends went through too. And after all that, we began to get back to what is a somewhat normal way of life this year.
After the Vietnam War, I commented that we had all gone through a collective and national nervous breakdown. While not as drastic, the COVID-19 pandemic and the unknown aspects of how COVID and the flu will be this winter are also causing a collective stress on us all. There is so much uncertainty, not just with our health, but with our safety as well.
So what do we do this holiday season to help us unwind?
We make time for friendship, family, slowing down and looking ahead. While none of us can predict the future, we can have a mindset to make the most of our lives. Cherish your friends and family and set aside time for them. Time is the most valuable thing you have in your life. Get involved with whichever community you feel connected to.
As we relax and unwind this year, and as we plan for next year, let’s all take the time to really figure out what can improve our lives and the lives of those around us. It can be easy to just keep on doing the same things again and again, but these moments are perfect for reinventing ourselves and how we move through the world.
Hopefully, you’ve become closer to those you cherish this year. At the end of the day, that is what is important and brings about that one word we hear this season: joy. Have a joyous holiday.