Enjoying the Holiday Season: A Guide to Avoiding Common Pitfalls and Finding Contentment

Around the world, December is very much anticipated by many people for several varied reasons. Some because of the Christmas festivities during which they will shop, get together with family and friends, party and make merry. Even adherents of some religions who are not Christian still look forward to this season for such reasons. Others, because they have been working hard throughout the year and so would like to have that most needed rest and plan for the coming year. Yet, others use the season to have their wedding. For a lot of businesses, it is time to haul in good profits. How do you plan to enjoy yours?

It is a fact that December equally comes with its own heartaches. There is the subtle pressure of gift-giving and treating friends. This results in many people either depleting their savings or getting deeper into debt. Some also get involved in drunkenness and immorality that ruin their joy; even in some cases to the extent of breaking-up marriages. No wonder by January 2 many are broke and others are devastated. Some take consolation in the fact that they can make new year resolutions only to realize just a few weeks into the next year that they are unable to keep them. The reason? Just as it is unwise to shift gears from 1st straight to 6^th so it is for one to imagine that they can change for the better overnight. How can you avoid these and many other causes of heartache and gain the most out of the holiday season?

REST!!!

Stress is a major cause of ailments in many a worker. This is because it breaks down the immune system and exposes the body to disease attacks. And we all appreciate the cost that time lost through sick leaves inflicts on businesses. For this reason, rest is very, very important for the hard-working executive. And December affords just that. There are some companies that frown on holidays because for them it is a waste of valuable human resources. However, if such businesses knew the rejuvenating power of just five minutes’ sleep, they would appreciate what a good rest can do positively for productivity!

On the other hand, there are some companies that break for at least two weeks between December and January. To those companies I say ‘Well done!’ I believe work was made for man and not man for work. We work to sustain our life and make living more meaningful. However, when work becomes a killer in disguise then it is time to take a re-look at it.

Yet it is important that employees of such organisations make sure that they use the holiday season wisely. Otherwise, they will return at the end of the vacation period more tired than when they left, thus defeating the purpose of the break. So please take time to sleep very well and laze about. Pamper yourself and enjoy all the natural sights and sounds you least paid attention to during those busy days. Also, if you’re a city dweller why not drive to the countryside to experience the serenity and freshness that nature affords us. Even if you don’t have a car, you can still enjoy that ride either alone or with someone or a group you love on a public transport.

 If you live in a city, I don’t know if you feel the same but whenever I cross the city barrier, I feel some relief and peace that elude me in the city. The breeze alone is enough. Add the sights of the greens and the mountains and oh, it’s so therapeutic! If you also feel that way, why not try it?

Watch Out!!!

However, for you to make the most of the holiday season, there are some things that you want to guard against. The first of these is comparison.

One major source of discontentment in life is comparing ourselves with others. This robs us of so much joy and happiness. The fact is that, in this world, everyone either has something more than the other or has something that the other lacks altogether. This reminds me of the song that says in part “Rich men envy poor men; Poor men envy the rich. Therefore, what is the sense in envying your neighbor?” Thus whether rich or poor, old or young, single or married there is always something that you have that the other does not have and vice-versa. A certain diminutive friend of mine says “If you’re taller than me, I am also shorter than you!” Yes, let’s learn to be content with what we have, and we’ll have some peace that is most invaluable.

Another negative tendency to avoid is seeking to impress others. We live in a world where people are judged by what they are rather than who they are. As a result, many look for certain kinds of employment for instance, not because it suits them, but in order to show off. Others also go to dine at a ‘certain place’ so they can be counted among the ‘haves’ when in reality it is not like that.

This reminds me of my observation while at the university. I noticed that the ‘haves’ were unassuming and humble while the ‘don’t haves’ rather would like to portray themselves as wealthy! Hmm, is that not false consciousness? Indeed, it is!  If you allow yourself to fall into such a pit, you may not live long, unless you change! This is because it can lead to high blood pressure and its attendant complications. Why should you for instance throw a banquet just because you have to or because you want to impress someone or a group of people when you can’t afford it? Or send a gift just because it is expected? In fact, the joy of giving and receiving a gift is even defeated when it is required and expected! Yet, even if you can afford such banquets and gifts are they really necessary?

If we seek to impress others, we lose our identity and naturalness. We are also robbed of joy and happiness. And this negatively impacts on productivity. This season, please don’t fall into that trap! I need you back healthier and happier so we can have our business discussions and see what we can do for ourselves and, more importantly, others.

The next thing I want to talk about is the unhealthy view of wealth or prosperity. We devalue ourselves as humans when we value ourselves and others on the basis of wealth. Yet many of us have been made to believe that God gives wealth and so some feel that they are not faithful enough to God and that is why they are poor. However, measuring our value and others’ worth by wealth is seriously flawed. We have people who are rich but unhappy; while we have others who are poor yet happy. Thus if we have to judge ourselves and others based on wealth at all, then we should view that wealth as the quality in us which makes us contribute meaningfully to society and not necessarily money.

By the way, how did your year go? Certainly, you’d agree with me that it ran! On a lighter note, someone says God is even tired of the wickedness in the world so he’s speeding up the days for the end to come quickly. All the same, it is wise to reflect on the past year to see what things you did right, what things you could have done differently and what progress you have made, not in comparison with another, but within your own personal circumstances. Meanwhile, what was your priority? Which of the following came first in your life? Entertainment/recreation, your job or your career, your health, your personal happiness, your spouse, your parents, your children, a nice home, fine clothes, your dream car, being the best at whatever you did or worship of God? If you were to rate these, which one would you place first? They are all important variables. Yet how you rated them could have affected your life this past year and can affect your life the coming year. So why not take time to really ponder on them to see what you can do in the coming year to be happier and more successful?

I believe if we live by the above principles and prioritize our lives well, we’ll be most content and happier. This contentment and happiness will in turn unleash our creative and innovative powers which we can harness to bring about higher productivity and wealth creation.