Where I found Christmas

Wow!  I am in a bit of denial that Christmas is actually here and the New Year soon upon us!! I am in awe at how quickly this past year has flown by and would guess many of you feel the same. So lets round this out with a little Christmas/New Year sentiment.

Last Tuesday I found myself sitting in the funeral of my Great Uncle Roy. I was feeling a bit bummed because I would be unable to sing with my mom, sisters and an aunt, due to being sick. As I sat and listened to his family members speak of Roy and his life, I shed a few tears at his kindness and the loss that his family was feeling. Then...I was struck in a way I was so not expecting, and had this thought pop into my head..."I just found Christmas at a funeral!"

I found Christmas at a funeral. Who would guess such a thing. However, as I sat and viewed the beautiful flowers, friends and family members and listened to the speakers, my heart was deeply touched.  I quickly realized that this is what Christmas was all about, even though the circumstances were sad in that very moment.

Christmas is about the gathering of family and friends to celebrate the birth and life of a man who changed the lives of many.  He touched those who he came in contact with and left them changed forever. This funeral had the same tones.  Family and friends gathering to celebrate and honor the life of a man they loved, who changed their lives for the better and who will forever be remembered in the hearts of many.

Christmas at a funeral.  Hmmm!  My heart was changed as I sat and listened and evaluated my own life and how I could emulate these things more through my words and deeds.  How will my family and friends remember me and am I giving them something...anything...to celebrate when I am gone? Will my life be a gift to those I come in contact with and will I leave them better because they knew me? These are powerful questions we can all ask ourselves as we move into the new year.

As Christmas is celebrated and passes we will look towards the New Year and make those ever important resolutions.  I propose that as you do so, you take some quiet moments to evaluate what is really important and valuable in your life. Is loosing the weight, getting in shape, achieving the goal, or crossing the finish line going to really mean anything if you haven't fostered the relationships to share those accomplishments with?

I challenge you to spend more time with your kids, date your spouse or significant other, write the love notes, do the kind deeds, make new friends, reconnect with old friends, take time to breath and appreciate what is around you and so on.  Include these types of things in your resolutions and see how your life improves for the better and see your other resolutions will taste even sweeter.  Go ahead...I dare you!  Be courageous!  Jump in the ring and get a little dirty and resolve to add the things that really matter back into your life.  You might just be surprised where and when, you too,

will find Christmas!

Wishing you a very merry and Beautiful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Until next time - Go BE Great!

Jennifer Saunders
ButtinGear
BS, ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Reiki Energy Therapy
Intuitive Life Coach