What Do You Think About During The Holiday Season? 5 Other Things To Think About This Year.

Posted by Ben Lumley on Dec 23, 2009 in Thinking Differently | 2 comments

photo credit: Freakland – フリークランド

Well the holiday season is truly upon us. The decorations are up and the festive tunes play out everywhere you go, as we count down to the big day. In a few days time we’ll all be sitting around with friends and family eating what only can be described as the biggest frickin meal of the year. By then you’ll also have unwrapped all of your presents and already gone through at least 2 sets of batteries in your new geek gadgets, while wearing a silly paper hat.

But what do you think about the most during the holiday times? Your partner, your children, your family or you? When the excitement begins to build as the big day draws near, are you more inclined to think about what you might get in your stocking from Santa and how you’ll actually build that toy your eldest has asked for or do you think about something else?

Here are my top 5 things to think about (other than the good things) this holiday period.

1. Those people who can’t celebrate

Every year, millions of people are unable to join in the festive season because they just can’t afford it. The ability just to provide food for their families is a struggle and then the thoughts of decorations, more food and presents are just something that can’t even be considered.

2. All those people who lost their jobs this year

If you didn’t have your job affected by the global economic crisis then you were very lucky this year. It seems that everyone knows of someone who lost their job this year in the wake of the financial problems felt all over the world. For all of the people who haven’t been able to get back in to work yet, this festive season might be a hard one as they’re trying to make the best of a very bad situation.

3. Those that fight for our freedom

Whether you agree with the various war efforts around the world or not, spare a thought for all of the soldiers all over the world who will be away from their families over the holidays. Some, thankfully, will be in peaceful surroundings and will be able to enjoy the time with the friends and fellow troops but some won’t, they’ll be in the thick of it, fighting and protecting the countries that they come from.

4. Those that have had their lives destroyed by war

The unfortunate result of war is the aftermath that ordinary people need to deal with after all of the troops have left. Countless numbers of people will have lost their homes this year in the fighting around the world and will be most likely mourning loved ones lost during the fighting. The festive season may not seem all too festive for them this year.

5. The ones you’ve lost this year

Maybe you’ve lost someone this year who meant a great deal to you. I lost my Granddad this year and will miss him like mad come the big day, so I know I’ll be thinking about him a lot. Maybe you know of someone who’s lost someone this year. Take a moment to think about them and what they must be feeling.

I’ve not created this little list to make you feel morbid over the festive period, but more to remind everyone to be grateful for what you have, however big or small that may be. Sometimes in our busy lives we get caught up in a load of stuff and forget to look around at those less fortunate.

You’ve not got to mull over this until the New Year, but just take a moment sometime and think about someone less fortunate and, if you can, think of a way to help them do it. If you can’t, then that’s cool, but just try to truly appreciate what you’ve got this year.

Do you do anything special for others over the festive season?

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Ben Lumley writes about Success and Personal Achievement at 6aliens.com. He is a Personal Achievement Coach and Motivational Speaker.

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