"Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart." - Washington Irving
So which type of holiday person are you? The "bah humbug" or the "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach" Ebenezer Scrooge from the Charles Dickens novel A Christmas Carol?
This time of year, hardly any one of us would say we are the "bah humbug" version. What with the many gifts and cards we gather and give to others, it would be hard to imagine we are anything like a Scrooge. We are giving gifts as proof, correct?
The thing we must consider is "we are giving out of cheer and love for others", without any expectation of a gift in return? Or are we giving as a way to either receive a gift in return or as a penance for having been a Scrooge the rest of the year?
Giving to others both of love, time or gifts can be very liberating. It has been shown in research from the field of health psychology, that one of the best ways to rid ourselves anger and grief is to actively help others.
Science supports the assertion that "giving help to others measurably reduces the giver's stress; improves health and well-being in surprising and powerful ways; renews our optimism about what is possible; helps us connect to family, friends, and lots of amazing people; allows the deep, profound joy of our humanity to flow through us and out into the world; and improves our sense of self-worth."
There will be a glow of something that seems undefinable, but is quite evident coming from you. The hurt, grief or other gets broken inside and a glow begins to shine from inside of you. It is revealed in your eyes, your smile and in your words.
Consider those glow sticks that are used in a variety of ways. What happens when you break the stick? Of course, it glows and becomes a bright and radiant light.
Take what brokeness you might have and be a light that shines upon others not only during the Christmas holiday season but throughout the year. And stay inspired my friends.
