Happiness is...

Make your holidays more meaningful this New Year:

Happiness is in the hearts and minds of people not in materials. It shouldn’t limit itself to traditional holidays or statutory holidays. It can sometimes be found on the most ordinary of Mondays. Sometimes it blows in like a swallow in December.

I know you are in a holiday mood and reading serious stuff is the least focus, so let me be brief yet relevant this week.

A significant feature of the New Year is getting together and sharing. The moment you think of giving or receiving, what comes to mind are material gifts you can touch and feel.

While it’s a nice thing to do, giving intangibles make more sense and helps people beyond the instant happiness you get when you receive or give a material gift. Life doesn’t end with one day’s celebrations.

New ways

Life is short. We won’t get to celebrate too many traditional New Years like the one this week. How can we make the holiday season a more fruitful one? How meaningfully can we spend this holiday season to make our lives better and help others to achieve the same for the long term?

Find time to spend with your family reflecting on ‘what went well’ and ‘what didn’t go well’ – prepare a list and ask the question why and figure out what changes are needed to make higher percentageof activities work as envisaged.

Such an audit will help you discover new ways of doing the same old things for greater results and also figure out new areas of focus for the family. It can range from your career to children’s education to making or giving up relationships.

Happiness is in the hearts and minds of people - provide space for it. We need new perspectives, insights, ideas and energy and motivation and time and lots of other intangible things that can’t be bought off the shelf. Happiness is in the hearts and minds of people not in materials. It shouldn’t limit itself to traditional or statutory holidays. It can sometimes be found on Mondays. Sometimes it blows in like a swallow in December. Sometimes when you want it most you can’t have it. And sometimes you’re up to your elbows.

The holidays do not have to remain rigidly the same, year after year.

By opening yourself to change and letting go of traditions that have become too difficult or expensive, you afford yourself an opportunity to shape your holiday experience to reflect your lifestyle and personality and learn something for the future.

Renew friendships

It’s what holidays are really about – the chance to properly renew friendships and spend long-overdue time finding out what’s going on in everyone else’s life.

A gathering of friends is always a nice surprise to spring on someone.

The holiday season is typically a time when extended family members spend more time together. Leaving normal routines, hectic travel, and decreased personal space can all lead to conflict with the family members you ironically, want to enjoy with.

Offer and receive feedback - exchange ideas – mentor others or be mentored by someone who has something to offer you.

There is no better opportunity than the holiday season to interact with people with an open mind. Enjoy doing what you like to do but also find time to try what I have advocated. I’m sure you will discover new ways of improving your life while helping the others with your new insights.

This would offer sustainable happiness versus a gift offering instant happiness. A good balance between the two may be a good start. Celebrate the New Year and enjoy the holidays safely and meaningfully.