Can’t believe it’s December already, the most wonderful time of the year. Except this year it might not be. The global pandemic certainly poses great challenges. As we are heading straight into a COVID winter, it is an understatement to say that the 2020 holiday season will be profoundly different from any other. But “unprecedented times” doesn’t mean that all is lost. Yes, Coronavirus is wreaking havoc on our mental and physical health, and those holiday plans. But joy is still possible. The universe is giving us a reason to pause and reflect; an opportunity to rise above the tough times, to look for creative ways to generate and refuel positivity, and to move forward into happiness or, at the very least, into well-being.
To rise to the challenge of finding new ways to celebrate, we need to be open to new possibilities. When the old ways of doing things are no longer possible, new experiences are within reach. But even in a world full of infinite possibilities, opportunities are not very likely to just fall into our lap. Navigating the path of abundant choices, requires that we stay focused and take action to make all that is good happen. The big question is how to propel action to keep moving in a positive direction. As we go through personal and professional challenges, values are our compass. They point us in the right direction. Adversity, in our personal life and on a global scale, is a test and a testament of character. Difficult times provide perspective, the chance to figure out what we truly need to be happy, to live true to our values, and to find out what we are made of.
Life presents an endless series of challenges and choices. There are many things we can change if we want to. However, we have to accept that there are always factors at play over which we will have no control. A practical approach is to proceed with a discovery state of mind. Expect the unexpected. Anything might happen. The one thing within our control, our human superpower, is the ability to live with intention, to let our values drive our choices as we face unanticipated situations, unexpected challenges, and sudden unpredicted storms. Even accepting the premise that values guide actions, it may still be unclear what core values are, and how they light the way on a dark and rough road.
Everything we need to find our personal core values is already within us. For most people, values are deeply embedded in self-identity and behavior, yet they often go unnoticed and unexamined until life throws us a curveball. As we are called upon to engage with our values, we get to prioritize the ones that are applicable to the current situation. Often, the choice is not between right and wrong but rather between two, or more, values we hold dear. As we make choices, we build character and grow.
When in doubt, I ask: “What would a person I admire do in this situation?”
I go back to this question at various times in my life, especially when my core values seem out of sync with the world around me. We all have equal intrinsic value, which increases when we choose to hone behavioral and character traits to be able to see a world of possibilities, to make good things happen, and to create a positive impact.
We are in it together, but must stay apart.
How are you planning to navigate the holiday season this year?
What’s your plan to rescue the holiday spirit?
