Change My Perspective?

Can you believe the Christmas and New Year season is just around the corner? What are your plans this holiday season? Will you be bustling around attending parties, shopping, entertaining, or traveling? Perhaps you will you have a quiet season because family and friends are too far away to visit. Alternatively, maybe you've lost a loved one or your life is upside down and you are feeling alone.

Sometimes we forget that each of us experience the holidays and our daily lives differently, through our own perspective. Here are a few thoughts to consider. I believe that one of the most magical human experiences, as well as one of the greatest needs most of us share, is connection with others. Pause for a moment and think about what your life would look like if there were no one in it that ever said hello, smiled or asked how you were doing. On a larger scale, think about what it would be like if we had no family, friends, clubs, churches or schools.

A very basic example is that of a local coffee shop I frequently patronize. Ever time without fail, when I walk through their door, the employees and owners greet me with a hello, ask how I am doing and ask what can they get for me. The moment I enter their store they have a choice and every time they choose to connect with me by sending out warm and positive energy through their conversation and body language. In turn, I feel valued, I choose to give them my business and I recommend them to others. http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=v4fl5gcab.0.0.qis7f6bab.0&ts=S0296&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lovelandcoffeeco.com%2F&id=preview

What if you were to adopt the following statement as a motto or mantra for yourself this holiday season... "No matter where I am in life, there is opportunity to explore and transform my way of thinking and how I handle my circumstances." In order to begin that transformation, let's give ourselves a challenge. The challenge is, between December 1 and January 1; connect with at least one or two people whose lives are different from our own and are outside our regular circle of family and friends.

You may be saying, yes that sounds all good and well, but how do I do that? Begin by going to your closet, take out and put on your creative hat. Get a pen and paper and jot down ideas as they come to your mind. Below are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

1. Find a local homeless shelter or teen crisis center and ask how or whom you can help. http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=v4fl5gcab.0.0.qis7f6bab.0&ts=S0296&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.turningpnt.org%2F&id=preview
2. Go to an event or party that you would normally opt out of, with the intention of connecting with at least one other person.
3. Be aware of people that show up in your life and listen to their conversation. Notice their cues; are they struggling financially, physically, emotionally? Ask yourself, what can you do for them that will make this season a little easier and brighter?
4. Have coffee/tea with someone you met recently for the sole purpose of getting to know them better.
5. If you can carry a tune, but are mostly a closet - shower only singer, gather a small group and go caroling in your neighborhood.

What ideas do you have? Pause for a moment and re-read the challenge and ideas. Notice, what is your body and mind saying to you? Is it tingling with excitement and ready to dive in or do you have a lump in your throat, a flutter in your stomach? Is your internal dialogue saying something like, I don't have time to think about this, much less do something about it, what's in it for me? If you are experiencing any negative feelings or sensations, be kind to yourself. It's okay, it's only fear showing up. Push through and stretch yourself. Ask for support. Don't allow fear to keep you from missing out on an opportunity that is waiting specifically for you.

You may be asking, what does all this have to do with Christmas and how is it going to change my perspective on my life? I believe that giving back and connecting with others is the central theme of sharing the Christmas Spirit and living the most purposeful life that God has given us to live. If we allow it, it will expand and stretch us, causing a shift to take place in our lives.

Carpe' diem! NOW is all we have, the past is already gone and we don't know what the future holds. I can't think of a better time of year to jump in! Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.