The Super Fuel for Kindness

During the holiday season, there is a general sense that everyone should just try and be just a little kinder towards each other. Of course that sentiment is often put to the test - both by the daily and often deadly drumbeat of headline news as well as by the stress and hustle of the day-to-day holiday season. After a few weeks of frenetic activity, many of us are ready to join in choruses of “Bah Humbug” instead of “Hallelujah”.

But what if there were a simple secret to really making the holiday season kinder? Today we are going to share a framework that will definitely help you unwrap some Harmony for the Holidays. Not surprisingly, this framework is built around kindness, with some generous doses of gratitude mixed in.

1). Reflect and Envision: Start your holidays by reflecting on the kind of memories and feelings you want to have when “the dust settles” and you look back at this holiday season. Envision your future self being content, peaceful, and surrounded by the warmth of meaningful connections. This future-focused perspective can motivate you to act with gratitude and kindness today.

2). Focus on a Key Gratitude Practice: Instead of trying to boil the ocean with kindness while attempting to turn your life into a Hallmark movie, just identify one specific gratitude practice that resonates with you. It could be writing daily gratitude letters, verbally expressing thanks to those around you, or performing a daily act of kindness. By focusing on this one thing, you make your gratitude practice a priority, allowing it to become a catalyst for kindness. Focusing on one key aspect of gratitude also takes the pressure off of trying to make everything perfect.

3). Acknowledge and Share Gratitude: Embrace the changes that practicing gratitude brings to your life. Share these changes with friends and family. Celebrate small victories, like noticing a shift in your mood or seeing the impact of your kindness on others. Sharing your journey can inspire others to adopt a similar mindset.

4). Set Intentional Acts of Kindness: Align your actions with the intention of being kind. This could be as simple as offering a helping hand with holiday preparations, listening empathetically to a friend or family member, or donating to a cause that's important to you. When your actions are driven by kindness, gratitude naturally follows. The reverse is also true! A habit of gratitude will start freeing you up to be kinder during this busy season.

5). Commit to Consistency: Practice your gratitude and kindness efforts consistently. The more you engage in these practices, the more they become a natural part of your holiday experience, leading to a more harmonious environment. Remember, small, consistent efforts can lead to significant, positive changes in both your life and the lives of those around you.

6). Teamwork to Make the Dream Work: Engage in activities that foster teamwork and collective gratitude. This can be done by organizing group activities that focus on giving back or sharing appreciation. For example, you could arrange a family or community event where everyone contributes to a collective project, like preparing a meal for a local shelter, creating a gratitude mural where each person adds a piece, or organizing a "gratitude circle" where each team member shares something they are grateful for about another person in the group. These activities not only strengthen bonds but also multiply the effects of gratitude by spreading it across the community. The key is to ensure that everyone feels included and valued, reinforcing the idea that every contribution, no matter how small, is significant to the collective goal of fostering harmony and gratitude during the holidays.

It may seem like a lot of work when you read all these steps, but in reality, it is not that complicated, especially compared to all the effort we expend on other holiday traditions, large and small. This holiday season, try taking the time to give yourself and those around you the simple gifts of kindness and gratitude. It is a gift that will keep on giving throughout the holidays and beyond!