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The tip for day 15 of 31 Days of Healthy Ways to Enjoy the Holidays More is to take a few minutes to ponder the meaning of the holiday season, whatever that means for you or your beliefs. Remember what this magical time about.

No matter what your beliefs, religion or background, if you have a family, there is a probably a holiday between November and January that is near and dear to your heart.  I grew up in a Catholic family so Christmas was (and is) a big deal and not just because Santa was really good to the five kids in our family. My parents made sure we knew that Christmas was about the birth of Jesus and all that Mary and Joseph had to go through to find a safe place for the birth.  We went to church every Sunday but the only time I actually got excited to go to church was on Christmas Eve.  I looked forward to being able to sing all the beautiful Christmas songs in church.

I still look forward to Christmas for several reasons and part of that is because people are a little nicer, we do things for others for unselfish reasons and generally all the giving that is going around just makes me feel good.  I wish people were this kind all year round but I’ll take what I can get.  I’m actually not religious as an adult, but I still see Jesus as a great example of how to love and accept each other, something that we all need more of.  In addition to being the birthday of Jesus, Christmas has become a general reminder for me to just slow down and pay attention to the people in my life.  Remember who you care about, who’s no longer with us, who you love, why you love them, what greater purpose you are here for and how you can make a bigger difference in this word.

Maybe you don’t come from a religious background but celebrate New Years.  The new year is a perfect time to reflect on who you are, where you’ve been and where you’re going.  Also, how you affect others and how you can change that for the better. Try to keep these reflections in the front of your mind for the holidays and all year long.