Significant Outcomes in the Face of Adversity

# Emotional Gridlock

Posted by Dave Cooke on Dec 19, 2025 in Celebration, Inspiration, Love, Uncategorized | 0 comments

‘Tis the season to be jolly.

The holiday season provides us with so many emotions. There is the joy and celebration of the season. Looking back at the year that was. Looking forward to the year that will be. Showing gratitude and love to friends and family for their part in our lives. Sharing gifts of various sorts and sizes to those in need or simply because.

Then there is the other side. The shopping. The crowds. The aggressive behavior of those in a hurry to work through their shopping errands. The family visits that many of us have some level of anxiety over. The travel. The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season that certainly stresses out most people.

Frankly, I have never been much of a Christmas season junkie. I have always dreaded this season. I have found the commercialism and the pretense of this time of year to be too much. My childhood memories of Christmas make this time of year a real challenge. And, I am not one to ever get trapped into doing something -just because.

As I enter into another Christmas season, with a slightly lowered level of anxiety, I do have some thoughts I want to share as we enter into this season of giving, loving, and gratitude:

1. Love is always in season: Christmas is not the only time we can show love for our fellow man. While we are reminded of its importance in the holiday season, the season of giving never ends. As you are aware of your actions to show and share your appreciation and concern for others during this period, please make a commitment to live your life this way everyday.

2. You are the gift: We spend a great deal of time considering and selecting gifts for people. I particularly appreciate the random, unique gift that someone buys for me that I didn’t request or ask for yet, found it under the tree with my name on it. Those gifts resonate as surprises. In this season of giving remember — you have and are a very special and unique gift. Always make your gifts available, you never know who is looking for that special something you have to offer.

3. Appreciate everyone in your life: You may not always understand or appreciate someone’s presence in your life; however, they have been placed there for a reason. They may have been placed there for their benefit, not yours. As you put into practice the consistent behaviors of love and sharing (from above) remember to appreciate those around you. They are there for a reason, if you cannot figure it out. Offer them the gift of you and your love.

I hope everyone of you has an awesome holiday season. The experiences of 2011 have been a trememdous blessing to me. For the first time in a long while, I am actually not dreading Christmas. I have been blessed in this transition with a profound sense of peace and appreciation for my journey. I am grateful for my family, my friends, my gifts, and, most importantly, my journey.

May each of you find peace, joy, gratitude, and love this holiday season and well into 2012!!

Merry Christmas!!

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