Twas the night before Christmas!
So here we are again, my most favorite time of year, Christmas... that magical holiday of Santa Claus, toys, children, tinsel, trees, Rudolph, Christmas songs on the radio and of course, turkey!
"Twas the night before Christmas" still sends shivers of delight down my spine as I think of my own children waiting expectantly for Santa to come down the chimney..in all reality, not that long ago..and the magic was truly in the air, which for me is the true spirit of Christmas.
Unfortunately, this year it’s going to be a different kind of Christmas in my household as it’ll be the first year that I won’t be waking up on Christmas morning to the excited sounds of my kids opening presents having recently divorced from their mum. But such is life :)
Regardless of what holiday you may celebrate or what religion or what God you may pray to, Christmas is a time of reflection…a time of giving and receiving.
Personally for me, this year has been one of tremendous reflection. Being a part of this great community in Wealthy Affiliate brings us together in the pursuit of many of the same objectives…one of which is education. We all want to become our better selves and successful marketers. We want to secure better financial futures for ourselves and that of our loved ones. We’re all also at varying stages in our on-line journeys, financially, physically and spiritually.
Some of us may be struggling to pay our basic monthly subscription fee while others may be experiencing financial success beyond belief.
Regardless of where we may find ourselves, we can all to often become consumed in the intricacies our day to day lives, in particular…the continuous pursuit of the illusive $$$'s... We sometimes may forget what’s really important in our lives.
Especially when we first set out on our journeys… we constantly ask ourselves the question “when are we going to start earning the big bucks”…we chase, chase, chase the money.
What’s really quite funny, and anyone who has historically and consistently made a lot of money, myself included will tell you this…when you actually stop chasing the mythical dollar….but instead start truly loving what it is that you’re actually doing…the money will inevitably come to you!…I dare you to try it :)
Christmas gives us a fantastic opportunity to practice gratitude and some of us may as yet not realise this, the benefits of practicing gratitude may actually be limitless. By taking time to reflect upon the things we’re thankful for in our lives can produce powerful and positive emotions helping us to express more compassion and kindness, making us feel more alive and in turn much more receptive to opportunities which present themselves to us in our daily lives.
Throughout the year but especially at Christmas there are many sad and lonely people out there, people sleeping rough on the streets, elderly neighbours alone in their homes feeling isolated, sad and wondering where the true spirit of Christmas is.
Now that Christmas is nearly upon us once again and no matter how difficult our lives may feel right now, stop and ask yourself when you last gave your time to someone you didn’t know very well.
Try and think of someone you know who might be in need of a minute of your time, why not give them a call or better still pay them a visit...or here's a thought..invite them around for Christmas dinner :)
The best gift we can give to others, and the best gift we can give to ourselves this Christmas, is to pay attention and open our hearts to the possibilities of giving without wanting something back in return. Doing so may bring you benefits that you never thought possible, and may in turn contribute to not only your personal life but that of your business success also!
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.
Love you guys X
Recent Comments
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You've given us some great challenges tony. May God bless you in this one in life. Here's to picking up in 2018!
Hi Michael, hope you are fit and well. Thanks for your kind and encouraging words. Happy Christmas my friend and here's to a great 2018 :)
Twenty years ago, I was struggling to put together a good Christmas for my two older children. Their dad and I had recently separated. They were living with me at the time and I also had a housemate who was like family. We wanted to buy a Christmas tree for the kids, but we really didn't have the money for it.
On Christmas Eve, we put all our money together, scraping every penny from under sofa cushions and under the seats of our cars. Then we went into the cold and dreary day to see what we could find. Most Christmas tree lots sent us on our way. We didn't give up. We went to one last place.
The man who was selling the trees struck up a conversation with us. After learning of our situation, he asked us how much money we could afford. We told him what we had. He told us to hang tight, and when he came back, he had a beautiful tree. He said that he would give it to us for just under the amount we had.
We were so thrilled to have a gorgeous tree to take home with us. On the way home, we decided that we would like to do something nice for him. We counted our money and decided to buy him a nice, hot cup of coffee. We had exactly enough to buy one.
We drove back to the tree lot and the man had closed up and gone home. My roommate said to me that we should find someone else to give the coffee to, that we should pay it forward since we could not pay it back. We drove around a little while looking for someone.
Finally, as we were driving through the parking lot at the grocery store, I saw a man who was huddled against the sleet and freezing rain he was ringing the bell for Salvation Army. We gave him the coffee and his face light up. he was so happy to have it.
That turned out to be my roommate's last Christmas on this Earth. Nearly every Christmas that I have been able physically, I have taken a cup of coffee to someone working or living out in the cold.
I do it to pay it forward. I do it in memory of my roommate, who was one of the nicest, most caring and compassionate men I have ever known. It reminds me to be grateful for what I have in this world.
Good morning Anita, or probably very early AM where you are.
I'd like to thank you for sharing such an amazing and heartfelt experience with us. In your time of upset and struggle your brave and positive attitude saw you through..coming together with some wonderful people, especially your roommate :) To continue on that giving tradition over these many years is a testimony to your deep kindness and purity of heart.
There is no doubt that we all could do more to help ease the plight of someone less fortunate which goes far beyond chucking a few coins into a cup...(although that is fantastic) Just the simple action of taking a few moments out of our busy lives to stop in the street to talk to someone who is down on their luck might make all the difference.
I know you were due your infusion..I sincerely hope you are feeling OK and it hasn't knocked you out too much. Thanks again for sharing and I wish you and your family a most Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Thank you so much! It is also really sweet that you remember I had my infusion on Monday. I am still feeling achy and weak, but I am still here trying to at least help others, even if I am not up to much else. It has turned out better than I thought it would.
For the record, I can tell you are a very kind person as well. Were you not kind, you would not have written this post in the first place. Also, I agree that even just stopping to speak with someone down on their luck is an act of kindness that too many people avoid doing. If it were someone in their family, or worse yet, themselves, they would wish for that simple kindness,
I assume you are asleep where you are right now, so I will wish you a good day for when you awaken.
Anita
Hi Anita, no, it's early evening here in the UK. Not only are you very kind...but also a good judge of character :) Keep doing what you're doing and feel better soon.
That is a lovely post Anthony. I am sorry you won't have your children with you on Christmas morning.
I wish you a Christmas as wonderful as it can be, and a Very Happy New Year.
Valerie
Hi Valerie, thanks for stopping by and for your warm and encouraging words which are greatly appreciated. A very Happy Christmas to you and your family :)
Beautiful post. Sorry to hear bout your family problems. Jst keep moving forward.
Have a marvelous Christmas.
Thank you for sharing
Hi, Anthony. Thanks for a great post. Merry Christmas. I applaud
your courage in dealing with the divorce at Christmas time. It's true that divorce can be devastating, but you will come out of this experience a stronger person because of your positive attitude. I have been divorced for many years, and although there are times when I reflect on our time together with nostalgia, I know that I am much stronger and healthier for having been on my own all these years. Best wishes for a happier New Year. Carol
Thanks Anthony and a Merry Christmas to you. Sorry about your Divorce situation and I totally understand having been 8 years removed from same situation. I Had a little different position but, it still makes an uncomfortable way to deal with things. All you can do is love your kids and try to do the best for them. It'll be fine and here's hoping for a grand New Year....
Dean
Divorce is wrenching but there life on the other side, we promise youj. I am reminded of a friend who said, "It will a a great gift to your "x" to release. He deserves a chance to be happy with some who can unequivocal. It was a freeing vision, that in my misery, by releasing other, once loved, tablecloth a chance to choose others without abandant.
Actually, I am in a great place right now. Yes, the first year was tough and tough for my kids but, we all have come out of it stronger. My Ex and myself are friends and my children are now Honor Students and Deans List members at their respective Universities, so it's all pretty good. As I like to tell others....Move On and live without remorse, fear or hate in your life. It's what I've done.
Hi Dean, thanks for your positive comments re. divorce. I am incredibly lucky in that my relationship with my ex is amicable and my children are older 16 and 18 and totally understand whats going on. I totally feel for couples who go through such trauma with younger children. I'm glad things have worked out successfully for you and your family and I wish you a happy and peaceful Holiday.
Hi Janet, there is indeed life on the other side...and it's important to remember that we each deserve to find happiness. Kids bring a different perspective to proceedings as we try our best to protect them as best we can. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas.
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Best wishes to you as well. WA is a great example of the Christmas spirit...helping and supporting others and getting so much in return.
Debbie
Hi Debbie, many thanks. Here's to a Happy Christmas. All the best to you and your family :)