The way we celebrate Christmas seems to be an indication of how we fared financially during the year. If we did not do so well, we still struggle to keep up appearances – try to celebrate Christmas the way we did last year, especially if we are traveling home.
The reality is that the year did not turn out as planned for many people hence putting up appearances is putting ourselves under unnecessary pressure. Many are asking us to ‘celebrate Christmas for them’ – the only language they understand being cash gifts. If the government can admit it is broke, we may not use that term for ourselves but we need to let those expecting so much from us understand that we are also cutting back. There is no point going broke because of a day’s celebration. This is not the last Christmas.
It has been a momentous year. Friday is Christmas day and by next week, 2015 becomes part of history. Looking back, for most it was a difficult year. Our economy ran smack into fierce headwinds that drove southwards. Oil prices crashed further and took down other markets with it. It painfully drove home the point that it is unwise to handcuff our budget to the price of crude oil. At a personal level, it hopefully drove home the point that it is unwise to depend on one source of income. Markets rise and fall. Change is the only constant in life.
After all, has been said and done (someone said – more said than done), the year 2015 is gradually drawing to a close and it is time to look back with a grateful heart, no matter how we think it turned out.
Growing where it matters most
Most of our goals seem to be materialistic – net worth, portfolio size, projects, possessions, etc. In looking back at this year, I was also tempted to pass judgment that the year was not kind to me based on what I set out to achieve and what the markets did. Then it hit me. I was taking my eyes away from what mattered most. I made a lot of progress where it mattered most. This has been one of the happiest years of my life. I was at peace with myself. I felt more fulfilled than I could ever remember. Spiritually, it was a good year. In terms of relationships, I exceeded my expectations. I did not meet my business goals but I have gained more clarity on where I am heading. Health-wise, I spent more on prevention and it paid off handsomely. I have not lost as much weight as planned but I have not gained either. Regular exercise and strength training is a battle for another day. I may not have made a ton of money but I am ending the year a very happy and grateful man.
Why am I saying all this? As important as money is, there are many things in life that are more important than money. How we did materially should not be the basis for determining if it was a good year or not. Making more money is not a key indicator of success in life. Material success is a reward, not our mission in life. Nobody remembers how much money you made long after you are gone. If you are spiritually bankrupt, with failing health and relationships, money cannot do much, except speed up your voyage of self-destruction.
Attitude of gratitude
In my seminars, I often share the ‘wheel of life’, a tool you can use to keep tabs on important areas of your life so as to lead a balanced, happy, and successful life. Like the spokes in a wheel, if one area of our life is hurting, it impacts negatively our overall experience. When we focus too much on the material, we lose sight of and become ungrateful for other areas we are blessed which are more important than money.
The year 2015 is coming to a close. What has happened is now in the past. There is no need to cry over spilled milk. We can choose to focus on being grateful for our blessings this year of focusing on what did not happen. We can only learn from the mistakes of the past and move on, or set up committees and start the blame game. We don’t need to feel bitter because we could not celebrate Christmas the way we had planned. Celebrating Christmas in a big way is fun, but we can also have fun with family and loved ones without breaking the bank. We can make do with what we have. Where we are today is just a bus stop on our way to greatness. We are not ending our journey here. Our best days are still ahead.
The reason for the season
In the midst of the decorations and music, we often forget why we celebrate Christmas. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the prince of peace who came to die for our sins to reconcile us with God. The angels announcing his birth declared peace on earth and goodwill to all men. It is a good time to mend broken relationships and reach out to the underprivileged, not just this season but throughout the year as often as you can. When we focus on blessing others who are less privileged than we are, we hardly have the time or inclination to indulge in self-pity or slip into depression.
What I want for Christmas is for my readers to appreciate life as a gift and grow where it matters, becoming who they were born to be so that they can do what they were born to do. Wherever you are and however the year treated you, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas. I pray that the peace that Jesus brings will fill your heart and guide your path this season and beyond. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
