It's the most wonderful time...
When I was young, I loved the festive period for two key reasons: (1) presents! and (2) gorging myself on the mountain of sugary foods.
When it was time to open presents (at exactly midnight, no matter how tired we were) I would hold the boxes of meticulously folded and sealed wrapping paper with wide-eyed reverence, chewing on a deep-fried pastry coated in sugar, my mind running wild with images of what New Thing it could be. Then, in a flash, the wrapping paper would be torn apart and discarded, revealing my New Thing. I would jump up and down from excitement, drop the New Thing, grab another chocolate cookie, and pick up the next present in line. This cycle would continue until I was in a gift coma, laying on the floor, a circle of toys and shredded single-use paper surrounding me.
Today, there is still the opening of presents and consumption of sugary treats, but a little less dramatic. New Things no longer excite me as they used to, so I receive fewer, more thoughtful gifts that I carefully open and appreciate. I only refill my cake plate three times, with smaller slices, rather than eat the entire thing myself.
I love the festive period now for different reasons: (1) I am fortunate enough to spend another Christmas with my family, and (2) I have plenty of time to reflect.
The transition period from one year to the next is the perfect time for self-reflection. I look back on the events of the past year and consider how I have learned and grown from them. I reflect deeply about who I am, the value that I am adding to those around me and where I need to keep improving. I read a lot. I write a lot. I spend a lot more time with my wife. I plan for the next year.
If you aren't already doing it, I encourage you to incorporate a lot more self-reflection into your holiday schedule. Learn from your past, consider your future, and realign your present self. Ushering in the new year with clarity of purpose and a clear roadmap for your goals can radically transform your life, if you take the necessary action.
Right now, I need to take the action of clicking "publish" and taste-testing the dairy-free chocolate Santa in the fridge. Heck it. It's the holidays, right?
Have a good week, dear reader.
Ric.