Motivation Mondays: HOLIDAY SPIRIT #mondaymotivation
“This is my wish for you: peace of mind, prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!” D.M. Dellinger
Motivation Mondays: HOLIDAY SPIRIT – Images of the Holiday Spirit
Holidays by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The holiest of all holidays are those
Kept by ourselves in silence and apart;
The secret anniversaries of the heart,
When the full river of feeling overflows;–
The happy days unclouded to their close;
The sudden joys that our of darkness start
As flames from ashes; swift desires that dart
Like swallows singing down each wind that blows!
White as the gleam of a receding sail,
White as a cloud that floats and fades in air,
White as the whitest lily on a stream,
These tender memories are;–a fairy tale
Of some enchanted land we know not where,
But lovely as a landscape in a dream.
Happy Holidays! What does a Holiday Spirit mean/look like to you? Today marks an important turn in our season; it is the Winter Solstice which is the shortest day/longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In a few days, many will swing deep into the holiday spirit by celebrating Festivus on the 23rd, Christmas on the 25th, and Kwanzaa on the 26th through January 1st. The spirit of the holiday season is about expressing our gratitude for the ending year, staying open to receive the goodwill of others, and letting go of our rigid rules around when/what should be celebrated.
If we don’t feel like getting caught up in the pressure and commercialism of the season, this is a great time to do some volunteer work and remember to give back to others in our communities. If none of the holidays above tickle your fancy, you can choose to do as you wish or enjoy any of the many festivities that are shared on the streets of cities around the world. One of the key elements of the holiday season is to use the time to encourage and uplift others. When we take a moment to remember folks who can’t join us, when we take a moment to brighten someone’s day, and when we take a moment to remember to be grateful for all we have, we are truly expressing the spirit of the holiday season.
A Story: Use The Season To Encourage Others Part 1
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his room-mate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn’t hear the band — he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Then unexpectedly, a sinister thought entered his mind. Why should the other man alone experience all the pleasures of seeing everything while he himself never got to see anything? It didn’t seem fair. Zen Stories on Goodweb.cn
“To many people, holidays are not voyages of discovery, but a ritual of reassurance.” Philip Andrew Adams
Motivation Mondays: HOLIDAY SPIRIT – Images of the Holiday Spirit
Motivation Mondays: HOLIDAY SPIRIT – Images of the Holiday Spirit
Love the giver more than the gift. Brigham Young
I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. Harlan Miller
If I were a medical man, I should prescribe a holiday to any patient who considered his work important. Bertrand Russell
What is motivating your Holiday Spirit? One of the challenges of this holiday season is the pressure, some feel, to buy tons of gifts off of the long lists provided by family members. Instead of stressing over meeting the expectations of our family, by providing more stuff that will get shoved to the side in a few months, this might be a good time to have an honest conversation about the true meaning of the Holiday Season. It is, probably, a terrific time to encourage our families to try a new approach to the celebrations.
Do we need more stuff? Do we need to spend more money on items we will discard in a few days/weeks/months? How do we differentiate the holidays from our birthdays? How do we teach our children about the holiday spirit? Every year, during the holiday season, we talk about swimming in the ocean of goodwill and how important it is to give back … but, how do we go about doing so and how do we know when we are doing the best we can of sharing our goodwill? This year, we can choose a new approach that incorporates loving the giver more than the gift… How are you using this season to teach compassion, caring and helping others inside and outside your household?
A Story: Use The Season To Encourage Others Part 2
At first thought the man felt ashamed. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, he allowed his envy to erode into resentment and it soon turned him sour. He began to brood and he found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window — that thought, and only that thought now controlled his life.
Late one night as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running in. In less than five minutes the coughing and choking stopped, along with that the sound of breathing. Now there was only silence — deathly silence.
The following morning the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take it away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside.
Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall! The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”
The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for November and December are:
11/02 – LEGACY/REMEMBRANCE – All Souls/All Saints Day (11/1)
11/09 – HONORING VETERANS – Veteran’s Day (11/11) &
11/16 – HONORING ALL/OUR CHILDREN – Universal Children’s Day/World Children’s Day (11/20) & Great American Smokeout Day (11/19)
11/23 – GIVING THANKS – Thanksgiving Day! (11/26)
11/30 – REVISIT KINDNESS – World Kindness Day (11/13)
12/07 – GIVING SEASON – 6th Chanukah for 8 days, 7th International Civil Aviation Day, Letter Writing Day, National Cotton Candy Day, Pearl Harbor Day, On this day in 1877 Thomas Edison shows off his new invention, the phonograph
12/14 – AWARENESS – Poinsettia Day, International Children’s Day (12/12,13 & 12/15), Bill of Rights Day, Honoring B.K.S. Iyengar’s Memory and 97th Birthday
12/21 – HOLIDAY SPIRIT – Winter Solstice (shortest day of the year), Festivus!, Christmas, Kwanzaa (12/21, 12/23, 12/25, 12/26 -o1/01)
12/28 – THE JOURNEY – National Fruitcake Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve (12/27, 28 & 31)
More Below!
“Every piece of the universe, even the tiniest little snow crystal, matters somehow. I have a place in the pattern, and so do you. Thinking of you this holiday season!” T.A. Barron
Motivation Mondays: HOLIDAY SPIRIT – Images of the Holiday Spirit
Motivation Mondays: HOLIDAY SPIRIT – Images of the Holiday Spirit
We cannot teach people anything; we can only help them discover it within themselves. Galileo Galilei
Good news from heaven the angels bring,
Glad tidings to the earth they sing:
To us this day a child is given,
To crown us with the joy of heaven. Martin Luther
In the spirit of the Holidays, I want to add that this has been a great year of learning, sharing, and revelation and I THANK YOU all for helping me along the way. Thank you for the terrific support you’ve given me this year. I would not have stayed the course without your loving feedback and encouragement. May the coming year be filled with love, joy, and abundant blessings and goodwill for all of us. What are your plans for the holiday season? How do you spend your holidays? What do you wish for yourself in the coming year? Thank you!
A Story: The Ocean of Life & Good Action
Once upon a time, a young fish asked an old fish: “Everyone talks about this thing they call ‘ocean.’ What the heck is it?”
The older and wiser fish answered: “The ocean is this thing that surrounds you on all sides.”
The younger fish didn’t understand: “There’s nothing around me! Why can I not see this ‘ocean?'”
“Of course you cannot,” the old fish was patient. “The ocean is both inside and outside of you. You were born in the ocean and chances are you will die in it. The ocean flows around you, just as your own skin does.”
Confucius once said, “Fish forget they live in water; people forget they live in the Tao.” We all live in the ocean of Tao. It flows over us; it is within us and all around us. It enfolds us like our own skin, and yet we cannot perceive it… indeed, most of us have no idea what it is. Let us think of Tao as the universal flow of reality. This will take us another step toward true understanding of Tao. Zen Stories on Goodweb.cn
Positive Motivation Tip: Happy Holidays! Enjoy the Holiday Season by spreading goodwill and sharing gifts with loved ones and those in need.
Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below)
Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com
Category tag: – Share your post using Motivation Mondays
Twitter hashtag: – Use this on Twitter #MotvnM
Dedicated Page: There is a dedicated page for Motivation Mondays. It has the same instructions and will include other helpful tools and a link to the round-up
Facebook Page: MotivationOnMondays Join our page and add your post and/or any motivational piece you think will be helpful to others.
Facebook Community: We have a Facebook community forum to compliment the page. It serves as another way to share uplifting posts and thoughts. Please join in and add your voice.
Badge: – I created a fun badge using PicMonkey’s free photo editing tools. You can create your own, use WordPress’ integrated tool on your blog or you are welcome to use mine. (see dedicated page)
Tag: – Motivation Mondays
Hashtag: – #MotvnM
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PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: Stories via Zen Stories on Goodweb.cn Quotes via Great Inspirational Quotes and/or Brainy Quotes. All Photos: From my Personal Collection, and/or Christmas cards, Kwanzaa Candles, Christmas Nativity, Winter Solstice Sun Goddess – Amaterasu, Lourdes Skyline, via Wikipedia
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Trackbacks
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With the warm weather we have been having here in Boston, I have been struggling to get in the holiday spirit 🙁
That story about the two hospital patients kinda broke my heart. What a sad lesson for him to learn!
My favorite quote: “Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more….” Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas…Charity, health, loves for my fellow human being that’s what the spirit of Holiday mean to me.
I do tend to get into the “holiday spirit” this time of year. It does tend to remind me to think of others even though that should be important all year long.
I really hate Mondays, I fell so low. I hope with this list I can overcome this sickness. 🙂
I really hate mondays I fell very low. I hope with this I can overcome this habit. 🙂
wow i did not see the ending to the hospital roommates story ending like that. it is very sad when kindness and encouragement is not received well
The holidays are a special time for me. I try to not get caught up in all the shopping.
Holiday to me means family. But since I’ve been living away from them for many years, I must say it hasn’t been the same.
The posts are very inspiring and motivating. Thanks for sharing. Happy holidays!!
Holidays sometimes are difficult for me because many of my beloved aren’t here with us anymore but still I get into the holiday cheer because my husband loves Christmas
I really love Holiday spirit and i can feel it right now. Thanks for this collection of photos
Ah we’ve all been the man flat on the bed at one point. Best to revise that thought immediately and get back to enjoying what is there to be enjoyed.
What a lovely story that the blind man tried to encourage the other man and he did not even realize it!
Wow! This is a very thought provoking post, especially the story of the two men x
ooh, sometime that i needed in this period, i need all the motivation i can get
What a beautiful post! The photos are perfect 🙂
This is one year that I truly can’t get into the holiday spirit. It truly hit home that I no longer have both parents since my mom recently passed. So this Holiday isn’t going to be one that I can truly enjoy.
i need a lot of motivation, motivation to do many things , thank you for lifting up my spirit
Yes! This is why I love Christmas – the feeling of spreading positivity everywhere. Thank you and happy holidays. I hope you enjoy with your loved ones. 🙂
Wrapping presents this morning got me in the holiday spirit. So excited for Christmas.
I think we must do some self affirmation everyday. We need to remind ourselves that we are on this earth for a purpose and that our lives are intertwined with someone else’s. Great post, Elizabeth!
I love the quote about the holidays being a ritual of reassurance. So deep and thoughtful. These posts always make me think so much more about how I view things.
As free thinkers, we celebrate the Solstice as the sun is what gives our planet life. We teach our children the importance of the sun sustaining life. Often times we will celebrate the Solstice and walk from room to room in our home with a candle giving light to world. We also celebrate secular Christmas with our family.
I love the poem. And the stories. Happy holidays to you!
I really like the idea of motivation monday. Very motivational! 😉 Its hard to believe winter solstice is already here. Time has flown by this year.
Motivation can come from SO many different sources – we need to be open to it 🙂
Beautiful and motivating article, indeed! Here in Scandinavia, Christmas is for children. They have adventskalender with gifts to open from the first of December until Christmas Day. While I do enjoy the idea, it makes me think of the homeless and the hungry children in other countries who don’t even get a single gift this holiday season. 🙁
Peace is one big thing for all of us, the earth would be a better place if everyone aims for peace
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Kwanzaa!!! Just have an awesome time – never mind the labelling! Much love and blessings. 🙂
May your holiday season be filled with love and joy. Peace be to you.
I usually spend Christmas as the season of giving, sharing and more festivities to attend to. That is, inorder to break away from my very rigid life and also to give away some of my blessings by sharing it to other. Time,kindness, money and memories. Cheers to you!!! Merry Christmas and a Bountiful New Year!
What is motivating me this holiday is giving… not giving gifts for the sake of giving, but in truly helping others. My family have everything they need and most of all they want, so I’d rather give to people/causes that need it. I’m teaching my son the importance of giving and not expecting anything in return.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you too Elizabeth. 🙂 and wonderful motivational post!
I always love looking at the pictures you pick. Have a very happy holiday!
It really is a season to look beyond ourselves. I hope many of us tap into that giving part inside to do it.
I love your line about expressing gratitude. It is so important to reflect on the year and think about all the good that has happened.
Love the photos of the candles and nativity. It is so peaceful
Awwwwww lovely post as usual!!! Hope you have a great holiday 🙂
That is a beautiful collection of photos. And, it definitely makes me feel the holiday spirit!
Use The Season To Encourage Others – I’ve heard of this story before, but it’s my first time learning about the part where the other guy didn’t help the blind man call for help. That’s just sad and shows how ungrateful he is. Hmph. I do hope more cheer is passed around though.
We really do have to remember what the holidays are all about and we have to spend it with the people who matter most 🙂
That story from Zen Stories has been shared to us by our teacher before in a class and we all felt inspired. In this holiday season, I think it’s great to give to people than expect to receive from others.
I’ve read that story of the two patients and the twist at end before. Reading it again during this holiday season makes it more meaningful. We should strive to encourage others with our lives. Happy holidays!
Merry Christmas to you too! May everyone be happy and courageous too! If I can make a wish, I will wish that I can use my influence to help more people and inspire more people!
I shared this story w/the kids yesterday after reading it here a couple of days ago. Quite the conversation starter, and lesson offering night. Thank you. 🙂
The holiday spirit can really brighten up the mood. It’s also a great time to spread goodwill.
To me the holiday spirit is spending time together and being with family. Thanks for an important reminder of what it’s all about.
What a great message for this time of year! Good reminder.
Love the quotation and poem at the beginning of the post
OMG!!! That first story is so heartening… I really can’t put my feelings in words. How nice of the blind man and how deeply wounded he other man would have felt on knowing that the blind man helped him sooo much to actually live (and not merely exist) every day.
oh the Holiday spirit..brings me to forgiveness and blessing other people who have hurt me somehow…
I couldn’t help but think “Festivus for the rest of us!” LOL
I love the holidays! Everything about them motivates me. The lights, the colors, the family togetherness.
I totally agree with “loving the giver more than the gift” portion. This holiday season is about taking a step back to reflect on the year and to treasure what we hold most dear… The family and friends who surround us. Thanks for this lovely post 😉
I totally love this post, I feel the spirit of Holiday.
After the Christianity/Islam conversation, this might be the next most divisive! The true meaning of the season, in my view, is in each of our hearts and it is Love. I refuse to enter into any further debate on this. You be blessed this and every day and season. 🙂
Dear Sis, I hope you have a happy and healthy Christmas with your family, with love Gilly <3
Happy Holidays to you as well!
It’s so important to remember the reason for the season. Christmas is all about Christ and loving people. Love all the pictures.
Happy Holidays to you too! When living in Estonia, snow and Christmas lights were a must for a great holiday spirit. Now, being with my family and loved ones during the holidays is all I need.
I don’t really feel like I have the holiday spirit this year. I hope to turn that around before Thursday but all of this rain is driving me batty :). It’s not the white Christmas I was hoping for. Thanks for your post, I’ll use your tips to turn my frown upside down.
Thank you for all of the greatly motivating posts 🙂 These really lift my spirits.
Such a good read! Thanks for sharing this! I really do hope that people celebrate the Christmas with a lot of love. I hate how we all tend to commercialize it and get pressured on giving presents to everybody even if we can barely afford it.
Such a good read! I really hope people celebrate Christmas with a lot of love. I hate how we all commercialize it and get pressured to give presents to everybody even if we can barely afford it
Merry Chistmas to you and yors
Happy Holidays to you and yous! 🙂
We need inspiration and joy ! especially during the Holidays
Such a timely post. This is something I have to constantly remind myself of – that I matter and that I am on this earth for a purpose. May you have a blessed Christmas!
Amen! Likewise <3
The holidays always bring a different vibe. People are nicer, seem happier, and are always in a better mood. I love how more generous people are and I can’t help but wish that it’s always the holidays. Merry Christmas, Elizabeth.
I agree… It would be great of we could maintain the holiday spirit year round. Happy Holidays to you too! 🙂
Merry Christmas to you! and what a timely post, it’s!!
I love the suggestion to use the holidays as an opportunity to volunteer. That’s something that everyone can participate in, regardless of belief!
I love the holiday spirit! Being with my family. Merry Christmas 🙂 Kaz
I love the story of 2 men in the hospital. I didn’t expect its ending. Thank you for sharing another doze of motivation. Merry Christmas:)
Wishing you a very merry Christmas!
Holidays are more meaningful when we shared it with our dearest family and friends with full of love, peace and happiness.
Happy holidays to you! I find your posts very motivational and look forward to visiting you more in 2016 🙂
Thank you and Seasons Greetings to you and yours! 🙂
Thanks for the wonderful reminders! I agree, volunteerism matters so much more than gifts. Great article.
It sure does… 🙂
Excellent article! A very nice reminder to pay it forward during the holiday season.
Amen. TY dear one! <3
I love to pay it forward during the holiday season and try to do it all year long as well. Love your post girl!
Amazing and what a great reminder, I always praying for the good health and peace for everyone! Happy Holidays and God bless.
I quite enjoyed reading through the stories you posted. I love reading little tidbits like that that give hope.
“Loving the giver more than the gift” is a reminder that we need more this time. Sometimes we get too busy preparing for the celebration that we even forget to talk to and thank God. Thank you for this post.
Happy Holidays to you & everyone. Such an inspiring post from you as you always do with those unique pictures to make it a beautiful read. Thanks for motivating.
Christmas is my most favorite holiday of the year. This is the time of the year when I do my best to share all the blessings and to be thankful for all God’s blessings. Happy Holidays!
Nice and inspiring post as always..happy new year!
Nice and inspiring post as always. Happy new year!
Love this blog post! Perfect for the holidays! And truly feeling the holiday spirit, the season of giving, love, and spending time with family.
The holidays are such a special time to be grateful for the gifts we hold dear, friends, family and the beauty in our lives. Happy Holidays to you and Thanks for the inspiration!
I’ve seen this story before, and every time I see it I find it incredibly moving. What a terrible thing, to have to carry the weight of a death on your own soul – and over a window! Especially one that ended up being such a gross disappointment.