For all the festivities and good cheer of the Christmas season, this time of year can get stressful. To do lists are packed with shopping, gift wrapping, Christmas cards, party prep, menu planning. It’s okay to feel frustrated and annoyed. It’s okay to feel guilty about feeling frustrated and annoyed (“It’s the holidays, why aren’t you happy?”)
But please take those feelings as reminders to be kind to yourself and one another. In the past few days, I’ve heard people honking because the car in front of them didn’t pull away from the gas pump quickly enough. I’ve seen people slip past one another in a shopping line, and heard the people who were passed cursing in response.
My holiday request? Relax. Take a breath. Everyone is trying to check off the million things on their to-do lists, same as you. It’s understandable if they’re distracted or impatient. Maybe you don’t need to cut the line. Or if you do, “please” and “pardon me” can go a long way.
There’s a reason multiple cultures independently discovered the Golden Rule.
Or look at it this way. Even if the Christmas story has no spiritual significance to you, there’s a metaphorical meaning anyone can appreciate. From modest beginnings can arise life-changing experiences. The small kindness you show one person may come back to you ten-fold.
In sum, do good to one another, and to yourself.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for a prosperous and creative 2025!