be inspired...
Give from
the Heart
this season
Presents allow us to express our love and gratitude.
Why, then, do we get so stressed out over them, and how can
we bring sense and significance back to the season?
by Frances lefkowitz
T
hough many complain about the looking afresh at our impulses to give
commercialism of the holiday and receive, we can make these days
season, no one—not even the feel more like the spiritual celebrations
two-sizes-too-small-hearted Grinch— they were meant to be.
would wish to get rid of presents.
At its core, the exchange of gifts
Look for the meaning
is a joyous ritual. Those robes, orchids
One way to bring meaning back to the
and batches of oatmeal cookies we
holidays is to remember that they are
bestow every year let us acknowledge
holy days. “Welcome in the spirit of
important relationships and strengthen
whatever you’re celebrating, whether
bonds with friends, family and our
it be Christmas, Hanukkah or the
community. “To give a gift to someone
solstice,” says Barbara Biziou, author
is to say, ‘I am connected to you, and
of The Joys of Everyday Ritual and The
I know you well enough to know what
Joy of Family Rituals. Biziou advocates
you like,’” advises M.J. Ryan, author of
reviving the family’s traditional ways
Attitudes of Gratitude.
of celebrating or creating new rituals,
Faced with a holiday season
such as making ornaments together
that’s too often fraught with chaos,
or cooking a meal for a neighbor or
stress, waste and debt, it’s easy to lose
stranger, if the old ones no longer feel
track of the pleasure and meaning of
meaningful. Instead of obsessing about
giving. But, by remembering what lies
presents, we can spend this season
at the heart of this singular season and
connecting with people through
 Collier / Lee Counties
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