Finding Joy During the Holidays

Finding Joy During the Holidays

Choosing to find Silver Linings is, I believe, akin to choosing to find Joy.  Sometimes – especially during the holiday season – joy just presents itself and one can’t help but be delighted by it.  Other times – under the stress of shopping, parties and fatigue – finding joy  becomes more challenging and requires making a concerted choice. In other words, If I want to change my feelings (e.g., grumpy about having to go out when I just want to snuggle on the sofa with Buzz, Suddenly Seven, the HOTY & good book!) then I have to change my thoughts.

Here are five things that I’m doing to cultivate and find joy during this holiday season.

1. Practice yoga. After my commitment to go to 4 yoga classes a week in November, I have officially become a devotee. I get the joyous yogi buzz after every single class, from restorative yoga to hot – what I call “crazy” – yoga. I’ve never felt anything like it, actually, and whenever I don’t want to go, I am easily persuaded to go, knowing how happy I will feel after!
2. Give your time. Visit a friend or loved one whom you don’t see very often. Call a few special people on the phone—not via text or email—and spend some time finding out what’s really going on in their lives.
3. Practice random acts of kindness. Put money in expired parking meters (one of my personal faves!), pick up litter, smile at a stranger, hold the door for somebody. The more people you help feel good, the more joy you will feel.
4. Give gratitude. Tell someone how much they add to your life, how they help make you a better person, how they make you smile—and thank them for it.
5. Watch a movie. My favorite, joy-inducing movies include:
   • Silver Linings Playbook (of course!)
   • It’s a Wonderful Life
   • Life is Beautiful
   • The Princess Bride
   • Footloose (the original one with Kevin Bacon!)
   • The Intouchables
   • Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
   • The Blind Side

Where and how do you find joy during the holiday season?