Focus on the spirit of the season

During the rush of the holiday season, it’s easy to exhaust ourselves “getting ready.” Numerous events, gift exchanges, marathon shopping trips, holiday cooking, honoring traditions and doing something only because “we’ve always done it this way” can cause more stress than the intended pleasures.

Does this sound familiar to you? If we are honest, I bet we can all admit that it does. So, why not this year we all try to make some adjustments and begin by putting more focus on the spirit of the season, rather than the “busyness” and our social calendars.

Here are some suggestions for replacing some of the “busyness” with ways to celebrate in the real spirit of the season:

• Substitute some of the “busyness” by finding someone lonely to visit. They are in our neighborhoods, our churches and nursing homes.

• Volunteer a few hours at the Cooperative Christian Medical Clinic, a local hospital, Jackson House, The Salvation Army, or the Caring Place or with others who improve the quality of life for the disadvantaged.

• Attend a community or school program. Music lifts the spirit and can soothe the anxiety. Sit down and listen for a change. Give yourself permission.

• Consider charitable donations in friends’ names instead of gifts that aren’t wanted or needed. Do they really need anymore “stuff ?”

I’m challenging myself and I ask you to join me to reach out to others. Don’t waste this wonderful opportunity to experience the peace and love that is the true meaning of the holidays. There are many needs in our community. Your Hot Springs Area Community Foundation is a resource for information and can suggest ways to meet those needs. We can be reached at 501-620-4008 or hotspringsarea@arcf.org. May you experience the true spirit of the season!