Be of Good Cheer!

What gifts are you giving this year?

It is the holiday season and it is generally a time of great cheer, regardless of which holiday (or holidays – who says you have to just enjoy one?) you participate in.  Bright lights, presents, lots of cookies, and shared joy – What’s not to cheer about!  You may not be aware that there is a line before “Be of Good Cheer”.  In my mind the pre-line is “Be of Service” and then Be of Good Cheer.  The one sure way to I know to be of good cheer during the holiday season (or any of time of the year) is through service.  Giving service of any kind brings cheer both to the giver and the receiver. It is a magical combination.  Times are lean for so many right now, but nothing can take away the best gift anyone can give- service. 

Now service can be a big thing (helping someone get a new house for example), but most often it is a thousand little things that paint a bigger more cheerful picture.  In my opinion, your presence is the most special gift you can give, because you are the only one who can give it.  Service can be a smile or a kind word to someone who is lonesome, it can be holding a door or carrying a package for an overloaded mom, it can be giving of your time (as in your physical, mental, and spiritual presence). 

Sometimes just physically showing up can ease stress and burden or give joy (now don’t get cocky here – this definitely works for mothers, but in order to really work true magic it needs to be tied in to a little bit more).  Mentally being where you are is huge, especially over the holidays.  Make sure to mentally be where you are.  Listen when someone is talking to you, help out in the kitchen, compliment the effort put into decorating, creating, and even dressing.  These items will ensure that you are the best present ever and I can promise that you will never get passed over. 

Now spiritual- we don’t always like to talk about the spiritual, but most of us have beliefs and we can share our spirits without tromping on anyone else’s spirituality or beliefs.  Keep in mind that there are many families missing loved ones who have died or are deployed with the military, many may have lost pets, jobs, houses, or even their own faith. Keeping them in your hearts and wishing and hoping the best for them is serving them with spirit.

Well, it’s time to go celebrate, eat lots of cookies and be of good cheer.  Go forth and serve one another both now and in the coming year and I won’t have to worry about your level of cheer, I’ll just have to worry about cheering you on! 

Thanks for being friends, clients, partners, and family of Genius Solutions.  We wish you even more of every good thing in the New Year!