Christmas Spirit- year 'round

Today is Christmas day, and our family, like many others, spent the last couple of days in the presence of relatives. Those of us who celebrate the Christmas holiday (in the traditional way or not) would likely opt to take a chunk of the Christmas Spirit with us and revisit the happy, cozy feelings at any time in the coming year.

I really enjoy seeing the family members that I only see on special occasions. For me this means seeing cute little cousins and hearing how the lives of my other, older cousins have moved on.

For my little cousins I can see that this season is certainly a special time of the year: candy, cookies, gifts, Santa!

But there's more to Christmas than Santa, food, family and gifts- isn't there?

"Let's put the 'Christ' back in Christmas!" is written on many church's billboards. Let's take this a step further. I say we take the teachings of the prophets we admire and apply them as much as possible, on a daily basis. I do not recall a master teacher saying to only listen to his/her teachings on a specific day (although I have not read of all of them...) I like to celebrate the teachings of Jesus by living in the spirit of Christmas every day. You bet it's not easy (although here in Minnesota I can walk on water!)!

Remember when you were a kid, and wished that Christmas were every day? Here are some ideas how to do so:

• Purposefully give gifts at all times of the year. It's so much fun for the giver and the recipient!
• Listen to Christmas music in August- or whatever music brings absolute joy to your heart.
• Hang lights in or around your house year 'round!
• Have a family get-together 'just because' eat, play games and give gifts if you like and even go as far as to talk about the teachings of great people in the world.
• Watch 'winter-wonderland'-like movies in when it isn't so wintry
• Put an emphasis on peoples' birthdays- and celebrate him/her
• On a specific date each month (perhaps the 25th) sit down to create/add to you list of things for which you are grateful.
• Make a goal of sending out at least one thank you card/note to someone per week.
• I have a marvelous Essential oil blend called Christmas Spirit- orange is one of the scents in it, which is known in the field of Aromatherapy to bring feelings of joy- great anti-depressant qualities!
• Take a day or two off of work- act like everyone else is too (the store isn't open etc.) and take time for yourself.
• Study significant people in our history who taught of peace, joy, contentment, giving, etc. and even those who represented the antithesis of these things- ponder on these things.
• Tell someone how much and what you appreciate about him/her.

It is a choice to be joyful and it's much easier when we surround ourselves with those things that make our hearts sing.

What makes your heart sing? What keeps you in a joyful, grateful, content and giving spirit on a daily basis? Write your ideas in a comment below for others to see.

Remember, one can give time, money, material items (new or used), words of affirmation, appropriate physical touch and kind looks and gestures.

What does it mean to you when someone says, "Merry Christmas!"? To me, it's a reminder to make every day a happy one and to be grateful!

May all your New Year's days be merry!